When Cronus was discharged from the hospital, Capone happened to be occupied, so Mandy and Winter were the ones to escort him back.
Among the brothers, they were the fastest and most skilled. If Winter carried a gun, any thought of escape by Cronus within a hundred yards would undoubtedly end with a fatal shot.
The fact that Capone assigned them to escort Cronus showed how deeply guarded he remained. It was clear Capone could no longer fully trust this man; even any exchange of benefits would have to be approached with utmost caution.
Sophia was waiting for them at the gate, with Diana standing beside her. Sophia wanted to see if Diana needed any help.
Though it had only been a few days, Diana already looked as if she had returned to her usual self. Still, Cronus could notice a faint trace of illness on her face—she seemed noticeably more haggard.
Capone had briefly mentioned that Diana's initial diagnosis had been correct: Cronus was indeed suffering from a severe case of chlamydia pneumonia. His condition was so critical that he was put on a ventilator the day after being admitted to the hospital.
Had they delayed any longer, it was possible he might never have appeared before them again.
"Diana, how are you? Have you recovered well?"
Sophia stepped forward to support Diana, who smiled and replied, "It wasn't that serious. I'm fine now—it was just a minor illness! I actually ate and slept so well at the hospital that I think I've gained some weight!"
Before she could finish speaking, Cronus let out a scoff from behind her, dripping with disdain.
Sophia glanced up at him but couldn't read his emotions. This illness seemed to have pushed his thoughts even deeper into hiding.
Diana, however, appeared entirely unbothered—or perhaps she had long grown accustomed to his indifference and cutting remarks. After setting down her luggage, she took Sophia by the hand and led her to the backyard to check on the flowers and plants. She had brought back a few small potted plants like orchids and mimosa, which she kept in the yard. Spring and summer were the seasons when the garden flourished, but after being away for several days, she was unsure how they had fared.
It wasn't until the evening that Capone returned. As soon as he stepped into the house, the rich aroma of cheese and cream filled the air. Without looking, he knew it had to be Sophia making cakes and desserts again.
Sure enough, the kitchen was buzzing with activity. Freshly baked treats filled the counter—cheesecake, butter cake, and even cranberry cookies, which she rarely made. There was quite a generous amount of everything.
A cloud of gloom immediately settled over his heart. Cronus had just come back from the hospital, and she was already making all these delicious treats. Yet during the past few weeks, not once had she made anything special for him!
"What are you doing up so late?"
Sophia spun around abruptly, the cookie she had just picked up crumbling onto the plate. She snapped back, a bit irritated, "It's not late! The sun just set. I'm making some desserts for Diana and the others!"
The others? As expected… The storm cloud in Capone's chest darkened further. His tone was icy as he said, "You're really enthusiastic. The moment they're back, you're all soft and considerate. Why didn't you act like this before?"
"I was exhausted the past few days and didn't feel like it. Today, I'm in a good mood, and there are people willing to try my desserts—why wouldn't I make some?" she retorted. If she didn't keep practicing, her skills would grow rusty.
Capone's expression turned even darker. Grabbing her wrist, he was about to press further when Mandy walked in from the doorway. Seeing Capone, Mandy froze for a second, the soft smile on his face quickly replaced by a serious demeanor. "Boss, you're back."
"Hmm. What is it?"
Mandy glanced at the cookies still on the baking tray and said, "Nothing much. Sophia said she was baking, so I came to check if it's ready or if she needed help."
Sophia interrupted, "It's ready! The cheesecake and butter cake are done—you can take them over. Diana loves cheesecake; make sure she eats plenty!"
"Got it." Mandy nodded and replied softly. His gaze flicked to Capone's hand gripping her wrist and the sour expression on his face. Then, as if reporting, he said, "Cronus hasn't shown any abnormalities. He ate some pasta, took his medication, and is already asleep. I've also assigned two more guards outside the guest house, rotating shifts every 12 hours."
Asleep already?
So… these desserts weren't for Cronus?
"I'll take these over first. Old Seven hasn't tried Sophia's desserts before and doesn't believe a pampered lady like her can bake anything decent. These should shut him up."
With that, Mandy picked up the two trays of cake and walked off to the neighboring house.
Watching Sophia in her oversized apron, bustling about with focused determination, he couldn't help feeling a subtle tug on his heartstrings. It wasn't the possessive longing to control or hoard her. Instead, it was a purer, simpler wish: for her to stay safe and happy, to lead a carefree life.
That's why he couldn't bear to see her suffer, even a little. If there was any misunderstanding between her and the boss, Mandy would do everything he could to smooth things over.
He didn't want her gratitude—he just wanted her to stay in their world, safe and sound, never disappearing.
Now, only Capone and Sophia remained in the quiet kitchen. The stillness was broken only by the chirping of insects in the yard and the distant sound of waves crashing on the shore.
"How long are you planning to hold my hand like this?" Sophia asked, visibly annoyed. Only then did Capone realize he was still gripping her wrist.
He neither apologized nor let go. Instead, he lifted her hand to his lips and ate the half-cookie she was holding between her fingers.
The cookie, still warm from the oven, carried the sweetness of cranberries. Crisp and buttery, it quickly melted on his tongue.
As he swallowed the cookie, his lips and tongue deliberately brushed against her fingertips. The subtle contact sent a faint electric current from her skin straight to the depths of her heart.
Sophia yanked her hand back in a mix of anger and embarrassment. This time, he let go, calmly remarking as he eyed the tray of cookies, "Not bad. Why haven't I seen you make these before?"
"You don't even like sweets!" she snapped back indignantly. Who was it that used to ban her from even attempting desserts? She never had the chance to showcase her skills.
"Well, I like them now. Why isn't there anything for me?"
The cheesecake was Diana's favorite, the butter cake—less sweet—would suit Mandy and Winter, and the cookies, being easy to store, were perfect for Lucy to snack on while watching TV. Not a single thing was made with him in mind.
Sophia pouted, baffled by his pettiness over something so trivial.
She motioned toward the fridge with her chin, muttering reluctantly, "There's some in the fridge."
Capone opened the fridge to find a large glass container filled with meticulously layered ladyfingers, neat and clean.
It was tiramisu.
A faint smile played on his lips. "When did I ever say I liked this?"
It seemed that this dessert— 'Take Me With You' —had practically become his signature dish, something exclusively associated with him.
Without looking up, Sophia replied flatly, "If you don't want it, fine. I'll give it to Dr. Cronus tomorrow."
Capone's expression instantly darkened. He grabbed the container from the fridge and held it possessively. "You wouldn't dare. If it's sitting here, there's no way it's going to someone else. I have a fridge in my room upstairs—this is going there."
That large container of tiramisu was easily enough to keep him full for three meals, but just the mention of giving it to Cronus made Capone resolute about keeping it for himself.
Sophia glared at his retreating back as he disappeared upstairs.
Ever since Cronus returned, Capone had assigned Mandy and Winter to keep an eye on him. With their presence, the villa on Mesha Island had become livelier. Lucy now had to prepare meals for five or six people each time.
Sophia didn't mind the additional company. Though she knew Capone's real intention wasn't just to monitor Cronus but to keep tabs on her as well, she appreciated the liveliness. Even though she still felt a bit uneasy around Winter, having more people around kept her from feeling sluggish. It gave her the energy to bake cakes and cookies—especially when there were people who enjoyed them. Seeing others indulge in her creations brought her a sense of accomplishment.
Diana also tried her best to return from the port district every day, even though the one-way trip took about an hour.
Recalling the vintage car Capone had given her, Sophia generously offered the keys to Diana.
"You're running back and forth for work every day—it's exhausting to rely on the ferry and bus. Take this car; I'm not using it right now anyway," Sophia said sincerely. With so many people keeping an eye on her, any little disturbance could set Capone off. She no longer had the freedom to take joyrides, so the car had been sitting idle.
Diana shook her head. "Thank you for the offer, Sophia, but I've gotten used to commuting like this. I don't drive often, so my skills are rusty. It would be a shame to scratch such a beautiful vintage car."
For some reason, Diana's words reminded Sophia of Roger. He had once lent her a vintage car as well. When she damaged it and had to send it for repairs, she thought he'd scold her. Instead, he only cared if she was hurt.
Phew…
Sophia let out a long sigh, smiling self-mockingly. It had been a long time since she thought about Roger—and she wasn't brave enough to.
In the end, she had let him down, turned him into a laughingstock. She couldn't help wondering how he was doing now.
Seeing Sophia's melancholy expression, Diana assumed she had upset her with her refusal. Adjusting her glasses, she took the keys and said hesitantly, "If Capone doesn't mind, I'll borrow it for a few days. Once I don't need to come back daily, I'll return it to you."
The truth was, Diana had been making this exhausting commute for Cronus. Though he hadn't fully recovered, he still needed medication and regular temperature checks. Without a caregiver or doctor present, she had taken on the role of his personal physician.
As someone who specialized in diagnosing the dead, she had to become a jack-of-all-trades to care for him. Perhaps this was what they called treating a dead horse like a live one?
"How's Dr. Cronus doing? Will you stop coming back every day once he's recovered?"
Sophia asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice. Diana's company had made the days pass faster.