Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 190: Fading Illusions

The soft murmur of voices filled the bright meeting room as Lydia sat at the head of the long glass table. The air smelled faintly of fresh coffee and designer perfume. Papers rustled as her team discussed the latest campaign, their voices blending together in a seamless flow of updates and ideas.

Lydia leaned back in her chair, a faint smile playing on her lips as she listened. She looked flawless as always—long hair tied in a sleek low ponytail, her makeup subtle yet enhancing every feature. Today, she had chosen a cream silk blouse tucked into tailored black pants, exuding effortless elegance.

"And the next shoot will be on Friday," one of the assistants finished, flipping the page of their notebook. "We’ll need your final approval on the concept by tomorrow, Miss Morgan."

Lydia’s dark lashes fluttered as she blinked back into focus. "Mhm, sounds good. Make sure everything is ready by then."

A ripple of agreement passed through the table as they wrapped up the meeting. As the team began gathering their things, one of the younger staff members, a girl named Nina, lingered near Lydia.

"You’re in a good mood today, Lydia." Nina’s voice was light, almost teasing. "I don’t think I’ve seen you smile this much in weeks."

Lydia’s smile grew, a soft, mysterious curve to her lips. "Is that so?"

"It is." Nina grinned. "Something good must’ve happened."

Lydia’s fingers traced the edge of her coffee cup. Her brown eyes shimmered, but she didn’t offer any details. "Well, something good did happen. But..." She glanced at Nina, her smile unwavering. "That’s for me to know."

The girl giggled, accepting the playful dismissal. The team slowly filtered out, leaving Lydia alone in the room. She exhaled softly, gathering her handbag and phone before making her way toward the exit.

Outside the building, the early afternoon sun was warm on her skin. It was already lunchtime, and with no further obligations for the day, a spontaneous thought crossed her mind. Her heels clicked lightly against the pavement as she walked to her car, sliding into the driver’s seat.

Cedric.

The idea of seeing him tugged at her chest. It had been a while since they’d shared a meal together. The corners of her lips curved as she imagined the familiar smirk he’d give her, how his sharp blue eyes would flick over her with amusement. Without another thought, Lydia set the destination and drove off.

—

At Cedric’s office building, Lydia strolled through the sleek marble lobby without a second glance from the receptionists. They all knew her by now— the woman always linked to Cedric, whether officially or not. No one dared question her presence. She took the elevator to the top floor, finding the secretary’s desk empty.

Without waiting, Lydia knocked lightly on Cedric’s office door.

A pause, then Cedric’s smooth voice answered. "Come in."

She pushed the door open, stepping inside with a cheerful smile. The office was bathed in warm light, the scent of leather and faint cologne lingering in the air. Cedric sat behind his desk, glasses perched on his nose as he scanned through documents.

He glanced up, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Lydia? What are you doing here?"

Lydia closed the door behind her, taking a few slow steps toward his desk. "What? You can come by my workplace anytime, but I’m not allowed to do the same?"

Cedric leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Fair point. I wasn’t expecting you, that’s all."

"It’s lunchtime." She tilted her head, her smile bright. "Let’s eat together."

Cedric’s brow lifted, but after a moment, his smirk softened into something warmer. "Alright. Let me grab my jacket."

—

They drove to a nearby restaurant, one of the upscale places they often frequented. The hostess recognized Cedric immediately, escorting them to a private VVIP room without question. The walls were lined with dark wood, the lighting low and intimate.

Lydia slid into the plush leather seat across from Cedric, crossing her legs gracefully. The waiter took their orders, leaving them alone in the quiet room.

Cedric’s blue eyes flicked over her, the corners of his mouth curling. "You look lovely today. All smiles. Let me guess... something good happened?"

Lydia’s lips twitched, her nails lightly tapping against the edge of her glass. "Why don’t you try guessing?"

Cedric leaned back, his fingers steepling together. "A new brand deal? Another overseas shoot? Or maybe... someone offered you the cover of a magazine?"

Lydia chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Wrong."

Cedric’s brow furrowed in mock concentration. "Then what could possibly put that glow on your face?"

Her smile faltered just a little. She glanced down at her glass, her fingers trailing along the condensation. "I went to see Ashton off at school this morning. Evander was there... not Delphinia. For a moment..." Her voice grew softer, almost wistful. "For a moment, it felt like we were a family."

A silence stretched between them. Cedric’s expression shifted, his smirk fading into something more serious. He watched her carefully, but said nothing.

Lydia’s eyes flicked back up, catching the look in his gaze. Her smile wavered, turning sad at the edges. "But I know it was just my imagination. Nothing more." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Cedric’s fingers drummed lightly on the table. "Lydia..."

She forced a brighter smile, cutting him off. "Don’t look at me like that. I know how foolish it sounds." Her laugh was light but hollow. "I’m not delusional, Cedric. I know things can’t go back to how they were. I just..." She trailed off, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I miss him."

Cedric leaned forward slightly, his voice low. "You’re not foolish. It’s normal to miss what’s familiar. But... you’re only going to hurt yourself if you keep chasing something that’s already gone."

Lydia’s nails bit into her palm beneath the table. For a second, she looked like she wanted to argue — like she wanted to cling to the fragile illusion. But then the fight drained from her eyes, leaving only a quiet sadness.

"I know," she murmured. "I know that."

Cedric didn’t press further. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine glass between his fingers. "Maybe it’s time to let go, Lydia. To stop waiting for something that will never come back."

Lydia’s smile flickered, but she didn’t answer right away. Instead, she reached for her glass, taking a small sip. The bitter taste lingered on her tongue—a sharp contrast to the sweetness she’d been chasing in her mind.