CHAPTER 409: NICE TO INVITE YOU

Aiden explained about the medicines to Sylvia and said, "You’ll need to take these after dinner every night. Don’t forget."

He paused for a moment, then added with a warm smile, "I’ll cook breakfast for you. You should rest and take it easy for now."

Sylvia glanced at him, touched by the gesture but unwilling to let him shoulder everything. "I’ll freshen up first," she said softly. "And you really don’t have to go through the trouble. I can cook once I’m done with my bath."

Aiden opened his mouth to protest, but she continued before he could, "You have your own things to take care of too, and I’m sure you must be exhausted since you stayed in the hospital for the entire night."

"I did sleep," Aiden replied with a reassuring tone. "On the couch. So don’t worry, I’m fine." He stretched slightly before adding, "I’ll just freshen up and get breakfast ready for us. You, on the other hand, shouldn’t lift a finger. You need proper rest to heal."

As he turned to leave, Sylvia’s soft voice stopped him. "Thank you... Your help means a lot to me."

Aiden paused at the door, glanced over his shoulder, and offered her a gentle smile before stepping out and heading back to his apartment next door.

"Coco, I’m sorry for not being here last night. Come on, let me get you some food," Sylvia said softly to the little kitten hovering around her feet. She gently scooped Coco into her arms and set her in the cozy basket in her bedroom.

She filled one bowl with warm milk and the other with soft cat food. As Coco eagerly began to eat, Sylvia ran her fingers over the kitten’s tiny head and whispered, "I could’ve died last night, huh? Were you scared for me?"

"Meow!" Coco let out a soft cry, and Sylvia chuckled, a small smile forming on her lips. "Aiden saved me. Maybe I’ve always misunderstood him... he’s a good guy," she murmured, her voice thoughtful.

After spending a quiet moment with Coco, Sylvia rose to her feet, walked over to the closet, and picked out a fresh set of clothes before heading to the bathroom to take a shower.

~~~~

Aiden pressed the doorbell, waiting for a moment, but there was no response. His fingers hesitated briefly before entering the passcode he still remembered. The door clicked open, and he stepped inside swiftly.

"Sylvia?" he called out with worrying tone. Stopping at the living room, he heard her voice.

"I was in the washroom," Sylvia said.

"Oh."

She saw him with hair down for the first time because he had just taken a shower.

"Will you really cook? It seems odd to make you work," Sylvia said.

"I would have prepared breakfast for myself too. It’s not a problem. You can rest in your room. I’ll call you once the breakfast is ready," Aiden stated.

"I’ll help you," Sylvia said, stepping forward. "And I swear, I’m fine," she added firmly, making her way to the kitchen.

Aiden followed her, already beginning to prepare breakfast.

"You don’t have any plans for Christmas?" Sylvia asked as she started making coffee. "I thought you’d be with Roger, having fun."

"Roger has his own life, and I have mine," Aiden replied calmly.

"But still, you two are always together," she said, glancing at him.

Aiden looked over, raising a brow as he focused on the omelettes and toast. "What are you trying to imply?"

Sylvia hesitated for a second, then spoke. "If you don’t have any plans for tonight... have dinner with me."

Aiden paused, tilting his head to look at her with an amusing gaze.

"It’ll be a thank-you gesture for helping me," Sylvia said. "I’m assuming you’re not dating anyone, and since you don’t have plans with your friend either, I thought it’d be nice to invite you."

"Sure," Aiden agreed. Then, as if recalling something, he added, "Roger mentioned a few days ago that you were seeing someone."

"Roger talks about me?" Sylvia’s brows drew together in surprise.

"Not really. He brought it up because you were in some kind of trouble. He was pretty annoyed, said you got angry at him for trying to help."

"I did," Sylvia admitted quietly.

"I’ve always wondered why you hate Roger so much," Aiden said, glancing at her. "You shouldn’t. He’s a nice guy."

"I know," she sighed. "But he always lied to me. That’s why I hate him. He said he had feelings for me, but when I really needed him, he made excuses, claiming it was to keep me safe. Why? Because Matteo used to ask him to keep things from me. I hated him from that moment onward. Also, I’m not seeing anyone. I slept with someone, so he was bothering me for a while."

Aiden hummed softly as he turned off the stove, finishing the omelettes. The toast was ready, and Sylvia had already poured the coffee.

"I hope the guy you slept with isn’t bothering you anymore," Aiden said casually, though his tone held a hint of concern.

"Not anymore," Sylvia replied quietly. Then, after a pause, she added, "I’m a bad woman, aren’t I?"

"Why?" Aiden asked, chuckling lightly as he carried the plates to the small table. "What makes you think that?"

"I hurt everyone," Sylvia whispered as she set the two mugs on the table. "And I can’t help it. I get annoyed too easily."

"Take a seat and have breakfast," Aiden said, pulling out a chair for her. "You think too much."

Sylvia eased into the chair, her gaze drifting toward him. "Someday... I may forgive Roger. I hope I do."

"You should," Aiden replied with a small, understanding smile. He ate the toast first while sipping the hot coffee. As he rested the mug on the table, he continued, "Sylvia, you are doing good by moving forward. Give yourself time. Whatever happened in the past can’t be changed, but you can make your future better. And I know, you will."