My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back
Chapter 172: Toast, Rose And Proposal

She blinked slowly, sat up on the bed, and stared at the empty suite. The silence felt too still.

The last thing she remembered was the sound of the suite door opening. After that... Everything was hazy.

She closed her eyes and tried to dig through the fog in her mind, but her temples throbbed almost instantly. A dull headache bloomed behind her eyes, and she winced.

’Probably the wine,’ she thought, bringing a hand to her head.

Her gaze dropped to her clothes. She was no longer wearing what she had on the night before. Instead, she was dressed in one of her soft cotton pajama sets. Clean. Comfortable.

Of course. If no one had changed her, she would have woken up reeking of alcohol.

A flush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks as she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. ’Did he...?’ she wondered, not sure if she wanted the answer.

She glanced toward the door, then the untouched coffee table, then back at the empty spot beside her on the bed.

Where was Eryx?

Slowly getting down from the bed, she slipped into the hotel slippers that were neatly arranged beside the bed. The cool marble floor sent a slight shiver up her legs as she padded across the quiet suite.

She made her way toward the dining table, the smell of food gently drifting in the air, it was warm, comforting, and familiar. Her eyes landed on the tray set out at the center, neatly arranged with breakfast: toast, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and a small pot of tea still letting off steam.

Next to the plate sat a folded note.

She picked it up and unfolded it, eyes scanning the simple handwriting.

"I went out for a morning jog. If you’re hungry, eat first."

She stared at it for a few seconds, unsure what to feel. There was nothing dramatic in the message. Of course no flowers, no apology, no teasing remarks but somehow, it felt intimate. Like a quiet understanding.

Her fingers lingered on the edge of the note before she set it down carefully.

Lunara pulled out the chair and sat down. She stared at the toast for a few moments before picking it up, taking a bite, then placing it back on the plate with a small sigh.

"What is this?" she pouted. "He’s supposed to say something first, right? Like ’I’m sorry I didn’t mean to leave you alone without a word.’" She paused, frowning. "Does he think I’m easy?" she mumbled, continuing to blabber to herself.

Her eyes shifted back to the note.

It was ridiculous how one simple line could mess with her thoughts this much.

"Right... Does he think you’re easy?"

Eryx’s voice reached her left ear, low and teasing.

"He should at least apologize with flowers," he added, wrapping his arm gently around her neck and presenting a single rose in front of her face.

Lunara’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t even heard any footsteps.

"Where did you come from?" she asked, blinking at him, her voice caught between shock and annoyance.

He smirked, leaning his chin lightly on her shoulder. "Not long ago. You were too busy arguing with my note to notice."

She turned slightly to glance at him, brows furrowed. "You were watching me?"

"Observing," he corrected smoothly, pressing the rose closer until it tickled her nose.

"And do you think this rose will soothe my anger?" Lunara rolled her eyes.

"Right, how thoughtless your husband is," Eryx nodded solemnly as he pulled a chair beside her.

Lunara tilted her head slightly, eyeing his morning jog attire—joggers, a fitted T-shirt clinging lightly to his chest, a towel slung around his neck. It was the first time she’d seen him like this, and she couldn’t help but stare a little longer than she intended.

"What?" he asked, catching her gaze and raising an eyebrow. "Do I look different?"

"You look... less terrifying," she murmured, her lips twitching into a half-smile.

"Ah, what a compliment," he said, his smile widening. "Should I jog more often then? Just to appear less scary?"

Lunara leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Maybe. You might even earn yourself a proper apology moment with real flowers next time."

He tapped the rose on the table with mock offense. "You wound me. This is a real flower."

Lunara raised an eyebrow. "One. Singular. And probably from the hotel lobby."

Eryx chuckled. "Do I look that broke?"

"You look like a man who handed over a note instead of an apology," she replied, picking at her toast again. "And then showed up like nothing happened, with gym hair and—" Her eyes swept over him once more.

"And?"

"Ah, this is so annoying. How can you look this good even with sweat all over your face?" She furrowed her brows, feigning disapproval but unable to hide the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Eryx grinned, clearly amused by her mixed reaction. "I guess some things just come naturally."

Lunara rolled her eyes but said nothing. Instead, she took another bite of her toast, trying to push away the fluttering feeling in her chest. The morning sun cast a warm glow through the window, and for a moment, the silence between them was comfortable, almost easy.

Then Eryx leaned forward suddenly, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "You know," he began, "I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship."

Lunara looked up, shifted in her chair. She didn’t know why, but she was anxious.

"I realize I haven’t been fair," he admitted quietly. "I’ve been distant, cold... not the man you deserve."

Her heart skipped, but she kept her face neutral.¹

Eryx reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a delicate ring inside, glinting in the morning light.

"I know, this is so sudden and not as romantic as others, but I realised we started our relationship on the wrong...foot?" He chuckled, pausing for a moment, Lunara, I want you to know I’m serious about us... about making things right."

Lunara stared at the ring, her breath catching. She hadn’t expected this, "What are you doing?"

Eryx gave her a warm smile, "I’m proposing, proposing to my lovely wife."