Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 160: Silent Observations

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the studio, and Delphinia turned just in time to see Cedric striding towards them. Ashton’s eyes lit up the moment he saw his uncle, and without hesitation, he rushed forward. Cedric bent down, catching the little boy in a swift embrace before ruffling his soft brown hair. Ashton let out a small giggle, his entire face lighting up with pure joy.

Delphinia, watching the affectionate exchange, couldn’t help but smile. It was rare to see Ashton so openly expressive, and seeing the warmth between them made her heart clench for reasons she couldn’t quite place.

"Cedric," she greeted, offering a polite nod. "I didn’t know you’d be here today."

Cedric shifted his gaze from Ashton to her, his lips curving into an easy smile. "I couldn’t resist when I heard you two would be coming."

His voice was light, but there was something unreadable in his golden-brown eyes as they met hers. Delphinia didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she turned her attention back to Ashton, who was still leaning into Cedric’s side, clearly at ease.

Cedric crouched slightly, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "I heard your mother wanted to show you how she works today."

Ashton tilted his head, his small brows furrowing as if contemplating the words carefully. "Mhm," he hummed softly, neither excited nor dismissive.

Cedric straightened and turned to Delphinia with a knowing glint in his eye. "I assume you’ve already seen the first steps?"

Delphinia nodded. "Yes, we watched her get her hair and makeup done, then change into her outfit before heading here."

"Right," Cedric confirmed. "And now comes the real work."

As if on cue, Lydia, positioned in front of the large white backdrop, adjusted her stance at the photographer’s direction. Bright lights framed the space, flashing intermittently as she shifted seamlessly from one pose to another. Each tilt of her head, each movement of her limbs was graceful, effortless—almost like a dance.

Delphinia watched with quiet fascination. She’d seen magazines and advertisements featuring models before, but witnessing the process firsthand was an entirely different experience. The precision, the patience, the effort—it was nothing short of impressive.

A passing staff member paused for a brief moment, glancing at Delphinia, Ashton, and Cedric standing together. "What a cute family," they mused absentmindedly before walking off.

Delphinia blinked, startled by the remark. She turned slightly, taking in the sight of Ashton nestled against Cedric’s side while she stood close to them. From an outsider’s perspective, they really did resemble a small, happy family. The thought sent an odd sensation curling in her chest—one she quickly brushed aside.

Lydia, mid-pose, caught sight of them and offered a small wave. Cedric, ever polite, waved back. Delphinia hesitated before lifting a hand as well, a soft smile on her lips. Ashton, however, remained still, his expression unreadable as he refused to acknowledge the gesture.

Delphinia shifted her gaze to Cedric, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Do you come here a lot?" she asked, keeping her voice light.

Cedric glanced at her before nodding. "Yeah. Whenever I have time," he admitted easily. His tone was casual, but there was a certain warmth in his words—an unspoken understanding that he didn’t mind making time for this, for Lydia.

Delphinia hummed softly, looking back toward the stage where Lydia was focused once again. She supposed it made sense. Cedric had always been the reliable type, steady and dependable, based on what Evander said. The kind of person you could trust to show up, no matter what.

"That’s nice," Delphinia murmured, more to herself than to him.

Cedric shot her a glance, one brow slightly raised, but he didn’t ask what she meant.

Instead, they both fell into a quiet, comfortable silence as they continued watching Lydia.

The shoot continued for a while longer, with Lydia effortlessly embodying different moods and expressions with each camera flash. Finally, after what felt like an hour, the photographer called for a break, signaling the end of the session.

Lydia approached them, her expression expectant. "Well?" she asked, her gaze bouncing between them. "What did you think?"

Cedric, ever the charmer, offered her a nod of approval. "You did a beautiful job. As always."

Delphinia, still absorbing the experience, smiled. "It was amazing to see firsthand how much effort goes into this. It’s really impressive."

Lydia’s gaze flickered to Ashton, waiting for his response. "What do you think, Ashton?"

The little boy hesitated before finally speaking. "Well, it’s... fascinating."

His tone was neutral, but there was something in his posture—something closed off. Lydia’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing more. Instead, she motioned for them to follow her back to her dressing room.

The room was spacious, designed for both comfort and practicality. A large vanity mirror dominated one side, surrounded by bright bulbs. A seating area occupied the opposite end, where a small dining table was set up with a catered lunch.

"Let’s eat," Lydia announced, gesturing for them to sit.

They settled into their seats, the atmosphere unexpectedly serene. Conversation was light, and for the most part, lunch was eaten in peaceful harmony. But every now and then, a subtle tension flickered beneath the surface.

Whenever Lydia tried to engage Ashton, he would unconsciously lean towards Delphinia, seeking the comfort of her presence. Whether it was reaching for her hand, resting against her arm, or simply shifting closer, it was a silent, but clear, preference.

Delphinia, for her part, wasn’t sure how to handle it. Each time Ashton clung to her, she felt Lydia’s gaze—an unreadable mix of emotions. And then there was Cedric. He said nothing, but his eyes were sharp, observing the entire dynamic with an intensity that made Delphinia uneasy.

She swallowed hard, trying to focus on her meal, but the weight of their gazes lingered.

Was this another trick of Lydia’s? Or was this simply how things were now?

Either way, Delphinia could feel it—something simmering beneath the surface, waiting to unfold.