The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 235

On Saturday, Lavinia invited Saul, Jocelyn, and Charley over to her place for a home-cooked dinner.

Their group dynamic was pretty unconventional. The four of them met up at a high-end imported grocery store first, agreeing that everyone would pick out whatever ingredients they craved, then take it all back to Lavinia's kitchen to cook.

As soon as they walked in, they scattered in different directions.

Lavinia pushed her cart through the aisles. She wanted to sear some steaks and needed a specific brand of Himalayan pink salt.

After scanning several aisles, she finally spotted it, but it was sitting on the very top shelf.

She stood on her tiptoes, stretching her arm, but it remained just out of reach.

"Did you want this one?" a gentle voice asked from behind her.

She turned and was stunned to see Lucian Roche.

She immediately felt a surge of nervous respect. "Mr. Roche, you do your own grocery shopping?"

"I do. Were you trying to grab the rose salt?" he asked.

She nodded.

With an effortless reach, he pulled the jar down and handed it to her. "Making steaks?"

"Yes. I invited some friends over for dinner tonight."

He offered a faint smile. "Sounds lovely."

She owed him big time. Her job was secure, and her status in the company had completely completely reversed thanks to his intervention.

She was just about to express her gratitude when a very familiar voice drifted from the adjacent aisle.

It was Sigrid.

"Garnett, should we pick up some groceries and cook at home?"

"...Let's just eat out. Neither of us is any good in the kitchen."

The footsteps abruptly stopped right behind Lavinia.

"Lavinia," Garnett's voice rang out.

She turned around and gave him a brief glance. Her eyes inadvertently swept over the items sitting in Sigrid's shopping cart.

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, towels, men's pajamas, tampons—all standard domestic supplies.

But tucked at the very bottom, the corner of a box of condoms was distinctly visible.

Lucian ignored his fury entirely, turning back to Lavinia with a gentle smile. "My apologies that you had to endure that. I have no doubt you deserve much better."

Her lips parted slightly, and she murmured, "I'm sorry about this, Mr. Roche. I'll see you another time."

With that, she turned her cart and walked away.

Lucian gave Garnett and Sigrid a brief, polite nod. "Excuse me."

He stepped past the stunned couple and disappeared down the aisle to continue his shopping.

Garnett stood frozen, staring at Lavinia's retreating figure. It felt as though an invisible hand were wrapping tightly around his heart, squeezing the breath out of him.

"Garnett," Sigrid called out softly, pulling him from his trance.

He glanced down at the cart. At some point, she had tossed in a box of condoms.

And of course, Lavinia and Lucian Roche had seen it.

Without a word, Garnett snatched the box from the cart and shoved it out of sight behind some items on a nearby shelf.

Sigrid watched him do it, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her eyes.