Accidentally Yours, My Super Rich Second Husband-Chapter 229: A Seat at the Table

Delphinia adjusted the strap of her handbag as she stepped into the elegant restaurant. The air smelled of freshly baked bread and a medley of herbs, the kind of place that exuded refinement without trying too hard. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden tables and neatly folded napkins.

She had made sure to arrive on time, just as she had promised Cedric. She had planned everything carefully—choosing an outfit that was elegant but not too flashy, arriving with enough time to settle in before he arrived. Still, despite her preparation, the familiar flutter of nerves settled in her stomach.

Her eyes swept over the dining area until they landed on Cedric. He was already seated, one arm resting casually on the table while the other held a glass of water. Spotting her, he lifted a hand in greeting, a small smile curving his lips.

Delphinia’s steps faltered for a moment, caught off guard by the sight of Cedric already seated at the table. She had expected to walk in and see him just arriving, or perhaps a few minutes after her, but here he was, already settled in, a glass of water in hand.

She blinked, momentarily thrown off by how effortlessly he seemed to be waiting. I must’ve been more nervous than I thought, she mused to herself, shaking off the surprise. But still, there was a brief flash of self-consciousness as she walked toward the table. Did I make him wait too long?

"You’re early," Delphinia noted as she approached the table.

Cedric chuckled, setting his glass down. "I suppose I’m just excited for our lunch."

She raised an eyebrow as she took her seat. "Well, same here."

A waiter arrived not long after, offering them menus. Delphinia glanced at hers briefly before setting it down. "I’ll have the mushroom risotto and iced tea, please."

"Steak, medium-rare. And sparkling water," Cedric ordered. Once the waiter left, he turned his attention back to her. "So, how have you been?"

"Good. How about you?"

"Pretty much like Evander, honestly," he said, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Work’s been nonstop. Some days, it feels like I’m just chasing one thing after another." He leaned back in his chair, glancing out the window as if taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "You know how it is. You think you’ve crossed one thing off your list, and then—surprise—there’s three more waiting for you."

Delphinia nodded sympathetically. She didn’t know exactly what Cedric’s work entailed, but she was familiar with the stress of a never-ending to-do list. "Sounds exhausting," she said, her lips curving into a soft smile. "But I guess that’s the price of success, right?"

Cedric smiled in return, though there was a weariness to it. "Something like that." He gave a small shrug before his attention shifted back to her, his tone becoming lighter. "But enough about work. Let’s talk about that party the other day. That was a blast, wasn’t it?"

"The party was... lively." She paused, tapping her fingers against the table. "Though I imagine most people don’t remember half of it."

Cedric smirked. "Including Evander?"

Delphinia laughed softly. "Especially Evander."

They fell into easy conversation, exchanging casual remarks about the party and the aftermath of everyone’s excessive drinking. Delphinia found herself relaxing despite her initial uncertainty about this lunch. Cedric had always been somewhat of an enigma to her—charming, but difficult to read. He wasn’t someone she interacted with frequently, but his close relationship with Evander and Ashton made their paths cross often.

After a short lull, Cedric leaned forward slightly, his expression shifting. "You and Evander seem to be doing well."

Delphinia tilted her head. "We are."

He studied her for a moment before exhaling. "That’s good."

There was something in his tone—something thoughtful, almost hesitant. Before she could ask what he meant, he spoke again.

"Lydia used to like this restaurant," he said suddenly.

Delphinia blinked. The abrupt mention of Lydia caught her off guard. "Oh?"

Cedric nodded, tracing the rim of his glass with his fingertip. "She loved their seafood pasta. She’d order it every time, no matter what."

She glanced at Cedric, watching him trace the rim of his glass, his gaze distant, as if the mention of Lydia had pulled him back to a memory.

Lydia. The name echoed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d brought her up now, of all times.

Delphinia wasn’t sure what to say. Cedric lifted his gaze to hers. "I don’t know what your plans are, Delphinia. I don’t know what kind of future you see for yourself in Evander’s life. But one thing I do know—Lydia’s place can never be replaced." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The words, though spoken evenly, carried an unspoken weight. Delphinia felt something tighten in her chest. Not anger, not offense—something more complex. She met Cedric’s gaze steadily, even as her fingers curled slightly against the tablecloth.

Delphinia blinked, the words lingering in the air like smoke. Lydia’s place can never be replaced. The phrase rattled around in her mind, but she couldn’t quite make sense of it. She leaned back slightly in her chair, trying to regain some composure. Her mind was buzzing, but she fought to keep her expression neutral.

Was this what this lunch was about? Was Cedric trying to send a message? She hadn’t expected this, not in a million years. They’d come here for a simple meal.

But now, with Lydia’s name hanging so heavy between them, Delphinia wasn’t so sure anymore. She wasn’t sure if this was about food, or friendship, or even about Cedric at all.

She swallowed, trying to find her voice. "I... I don’t understand," she said carefully, her words measured. Her fingers still pressed against the tablecloth, but she made sure they weren’t trembling. Don’t overreact, she reminded herself. Stay calm.

The waiter arrived with their food, momentarily breaking the tension. But as Cedric picked up his fork, Delphinia couldn’t shake the feeling that their conversation had just taken a turn she hadn’t been prepared for.