Captivated by the Ruler of the Underworld

Lela put down her phone, flashed a smile at James and the others, and then headed into the kitchen.

She spotted Sylvester, tall and dressed in light-colored loungewear with an apron, washing a fish that was already cleaned in the sink. A sharp knife was stuck in the cutting board nearby.

The noise from earlier must have come from here.

Lela walked over and hugged Sylvester from behind, resting her head on his back.

This was the second time she had hugged him in the kitchen.

His broad back made her feel safe.

But unlike last time, Sylvester gently pushed her away. "Sweetie, go wait outside. It smells too bloody in here."

He didn't want her to be around the blood.

She didn't want to leave, still hugging him from behind. She turned her head slightly to watch him skillfully handle the fish.

She used to think he could only cook simple dishes, but she was surprised to see him so good at cooking complex ones.noveldrama

She couldn't help but ask, "Sylvester, how did you learn to cook this dish?"

He cleaned the fish, then marinated it to get rid of the fishy smell.

Hearing her question, he seemed to reminisce and then casually said, "My dad liked to eat it."

This was the first time he had voluntarily mentioned his father to her.

She blinked, let go of his waist, and walked to the counter, looking at him sideways. "Your... father?"

He poured oil into the pan to heat it up, washed his hands, and then started cutting tomatoes. All his movements were skillful.

"Yeah. Before I was seven, they were both still around. My mom fell into a coma after giving birth to Charley. My dad took care of her, not eating or drinking. But he liked this dish, so I made it for him." He seemed to be just telling a story, never mentioning his feelings for his parents.

She smiled, knowing he might not express himself well, and continued, "He must have really liked it."

She knew his cooking skills, and since Sylvester was his child, his father should have liked it even more.

He picked up a piece of tomato and brought it to Lela's lips. She took a bite and ate it with relish.

He smiled with satisfaction, curling his lips as he calmly said, "No, he never ate the fish I cooked."

"Why?" She looked up at him, puzzled.

He looked down, gazing at Lela tenderly, and tapped her nose. "He's not like you. You eat everything, never picky, easy to care for."

She wasn't easy to care for.

It was just because it was Sylvester.

He could take care of her, and she was willing to let him.

"Alright, go wait outside," he said softly.

She took another piece of tomato and put it in her mouth, chewing. "Didn't he like that dish? Why didn't he eat it?"

He pinched her cheek, leaned closer to her, and said with utmost patience and gentleness, "Sweetheart, why do you have so many questions?"

Seeing her still staring at him, he had no choice but to simply explain, "He only liked the way my mom cooked it. His eyes were only for her."

So that was what Charley meant. Sylvester had to act like an adult from a young age because he didn't have his parents' care and protection; he had to rely on himself for everything. But she really couldn't understand his father's actions.

"Sylvester, even if he didn't eat it, you still cooked it, right?" she pressed.

"Yeah, because he was my dad," he responded.

Sylvester also needed warmth and love.

Thinking of this, she couldn't bear to think further. She threw herself into Sylvester's arms, looked up, and kissed the corner of his lips, saying sweetly, "If he didn't eat it, I will." His eyes were only for your mother, and Lela's eyes were only for Sylvester!