Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 445

Selene gently smoothed Daph’s twin braids, her fingers brushing over the soft plaits at either side of her daughter’s head. “Did Uncle Luke do your hair this morning?”

Daph nodded with enthusiastic pride. “He did! Uncle Luke said he used to do Mommy’s hair, too.”

Selene’s smile deepened, her gaze warm with gratitude as she glanced at Luke Holloway.

“Mommy, did you eat lunch yet?” Daph asked, her eyes full of concern. “Are you hungry?”

She lifted a small insulated container, beaming. “Uncle Luke made you a special batch of his famous nourishing soup!”

A derisive snort sounded from under the hospital bed—Adrian, sulking out of sight, unable to resist making his opinion known. But since Daph was talking, no one else really caught the sound.

Luke Holloway, however, noticed the faint noise. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes landing on Leo, who sat composed and unreadable.

Selene had just woken up and hadn’t eaten yet. The aftertaste of her medication still lingered, leaving her mouth bitter and her appetite nearly nonexistent.

But seeing Daph clutching the container, Selene’s voice turned warm and gentle. “I’m starving, sweetheart!”

“Wait right here, Mommy!”

Daph glowed with purpose, feeling—for once—like she could actually help her mother.

She unscrewed the lid, carefully poured the steaming soup into a small bowl, and held it out with both hands.

“Mommy, can I feed you?” she asked, eager to help in the way all the adults did for Selene during her stay.

“Of course!” Selene replied, beaming. “I bet soup tastes even better when Daph feeds it to me.”

She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, her eyes bright with anticipation as she looked at her daughter.

Daph scooped up a spoonful, blew gently to cool it, and offered it to Selene, who tasted it obediently. Tears pricked Selene’s eyes as she swallowed, overwhelmed by the simple kindness.

Leo’s eyes dropped, lashes shadowing his expression. His tone was cool and mild. “Strange. Even my useless nephew came by to check on Selene, but Adrian hasn’t shown up? He’s usually the first to rush to her side.”

Under the bed, Adrian fumed. Leo was stirring the pot on purpose—he knew exactly where Adrian was hiding!

Unaware of Adrian’s presence, Luke Holloway took Leo at his word. “Good. The less I see of him, the better.” He turned back to Selene, his brow furrowed. “He hasn’t been bothering you, has he?”

Selene hesitated, another spoonful of soup halfway to her mouth. There was no way she could admit Adrian was literally under the bed.

Not one for lying to Luke, she simply shook her head, a vague gesture.

“Adrian’s probably just busy,” she offered, unconsciously defending him.

Leo’s eyes flashed with something unreadable. His voice was crisp and clear as water. “I’ll give Adrian a call. I need to speak with him anyway…”