Chapter 48

Claire’s POV

Something was changing in Gideon’s mind.

After I saw the way he looked at me in the garden, he spoke the words I never expected him to be speaking. You matter to me. Those four words made me feel restless as those words kept repeating in my mind after I walked away.

The way he spoke to me today, I felt like this wasn’t the Gideon I knew. He always spoke with command and authority but in the garden his tone was completely opposite. He never acted like this when I was living here as Claire which made my chest ache.

For the first time he spoke to me so tenderly as he tried to cross the walls I built around my heart.

And the most bitter and worst part is, somewhere in my heart I wanted him to cross those walls..

But that was dangerous. Dangerous for him, for me, for everyone in this house.

I busied myself with my duty as a bodyguard watching the kids making sure they are okay, checking the perimeter, keeping my mind alert for threats or ambush. But I felt uneasy as the evening approached. But I convinced myself that dinner with Leo and Nova will be normal, fun and simple. It will be just the three of us.

I was wrong.

As I walked into the dining hall I saw Gideon already sitting there with kids, the kids looked at him surprised with wide eyes.

He sat at the head of the table since he is the Alpha and head of the family. But it wasn’t his usual place. Gideon almost never dined with us since he always kept himself busy in the office and ate dinner in the office. I just stood there for a moment and hesitated not knowing what to do.

Leo looked at his father happily as he gasped with delight and ran to his side, tugging at his sleeve to tell him all about his day. Leo practically glowed as he boasted about winning a game against Nova. Gideon leaned down to listen, patient, even amused.

Nova pouted playfully as he talked about her losing the game but then smiled brightly knowing Leo has recovered from his weakness. Her eyes landed on me as her eyes shined. “Mommy come sit.”

As Nova called me, I smiled and forced my legs to move and took my seat in silence, but I couldn’t stop staring.

There were many servers here now serving food on the table, it was definitely Gideon’s doing knowing he can't trust an only single maid alone for food, the scent of food filled the air. After the food was served I decided to test the food just like I did before. I leaned close to inspect the food making sure there is nothing dangerous in the food.

But before I could take the spoon to taste it Gideon quickly grabbed my wrist to stop me. I looked at him startled as my heart skipped a beat.

“I will take care of it.” His voice was commanding and firm but there was hint of warmth in his tone.

I blinked at him. “But it's my job.”

He didn't bother arguing as he let go of my wrist and picked up a piece of chicken and tasted it in front of everyone. I looked at him shocked.

He swallowed the piece of chicken with a smirk. “It is safe.”

I felt my cheeks flushed but then I hid it with a serious expression “You didn't need to do that.” “I wanted to.”

Those three words unsettled me more than anything. I wanted to. What did that mean? Gideon didn’t want things. He acted out of duty, necessity, control. But now I feel that he is using my own to break them.

The children didn't find his behavior weird at all. Nova giggled and reached for bread while Leo kept talking about his day using animated gestures.

Somehow everything felt normal with the chatter of both childrens. But all I could feel was Gideon’s gaze lingering on me, as though he were watching every flicker of confusion cross my face.

I tried to focus on my food but my hunger was gone. My thoughts circled the same question over and over: What happened while I was in coma?

When I had woken from the coma, I expected the world to be exactly as I had left it. But it wasn’t. I felt like I have missed some things while I was in coma. I knew Daphne definitely tried to take charge in everything while I was gone, I knew how her nature was but now Gideon was confusing me more.

He had always been a fortress, and now… now he was lowering his walls. But why?

“Mommy?” Nova’s small voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts.

I looked at her gently as she was holding a piece of bread with both hands, her face glowing with happiness.

“You didn't take any bread.” She said innocently and placed the bread on my plate. “Here. It’s good.”

A real smile tugged at my lips despite everything. I gently caressed her head “Thank you, my sweet Nova.”

Her smile brightened and she went back on eating her food.

When I glanced up, I found Gideon watching me. His gaze was not the way he usually was, he looked at me directly, not even trying to hide that he was staring at me intently. I looked away from him not trying to feel uncomfortable and focused on the chatter of the children instead of his stare.

The dinner continued but for me the atmosphere was divided into two. It was between Children's light and sweet chatter and the heaviness of Gideon’s intense stare.

I wanted to ask Gideon what really had changed that made him behave like this but I knew It wasn’t my place. I was his family's bodyguard, nothing more. That line between us was important.

And in my mind I wondered if he really cared about that line.

Nova wanted water. But the jug was empty so I stood up to get her water but Gideon stopped me again.

“Don't worry servants will get the water for her.” He looked at a server who immediately nodded and left to get water.

I frowned. “I am her mother, I could get the water for her.”

He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “No, Raven. Your duty is to protect. Not this. Even though you are a mother. My servants are capable enough to handle such minor tasks.”

When he said that firmly, my heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know what to do with the intensity in his eyes, so I turned away, breaking the moment before it unraveled me completely.

I wanted to run out of that room instantly but I controlled myself not wanting to break my composure around my children. Luckily the server returned with the water and filled Nova’s glass with water which distracted me from my embarrassing thoughts.

Something had changed during the time I was gone. Something I hadn’t been there to see. And until I knew what it was, I couldn’t decide if I should fear it… or trust it.

Daphne’s POV

I watched from a far hidden in the shadows how Gideon, Raven, Leo and Nova enjoyed the dinner like a family. I felt the fire of anger burn inside me.

“Instead of Raven, it should have been me.” I whispered full of jealousy.

My lips turned into an evil smile. “Enjoy the sweet moments while you can Raven, If Gideon wants to protect you, I will make sure he fails.”