Thalassa immediately morphed her laughter into coughs, grabbing a glass of water from the table to cover it up.

"Are you okay?" Kris asked.

"Yes. I just had something in my throat," she replied, waving him off as she set the glass back down.

Kris fought the urge to smile, not fooled in the slightest. What he had heard was definitely a laugh, and the fact that she tried to disguise it as a cough confirmed that it had something to do with him. His heart swelled with hope.

"So, shall we begin?" he asked, taking the seat to her right and pulling the lid off his own plate. "Oh, and in case you're wondering how a one-armed man managed to cook this very sumptuous food, I did have help from one of your security guys. He helped move things and chopped the pork cheeks for me, but I swear the actual cooking was all me."

"I didn't ask," Thalassa said tersely. She was still annoyed at herself for laughing.

Despite her irritation, her mouth watered as the aroma of the carbonara hit her senses. But she couldn't let him know how eager she was to taste it.

Picking up her fork, she poked at the food for several moments, pretending she wasn't interested. But she couldn't resist for long.

Finally, she took a forkful and shoved it into her mouth. The combination of pasta, eggs, pepper, and cheese exploded on her tongue. She clamped her mouth shut, trying to suppress a moan. It tasted almost exactly like her own version of the dish-the one Kris had always tried to recreate.noveldrama

"So? What do you think?" Kris asked, watching her expectantly. He hadn't taken a bite yet because he was waiting for her judgment.

"It's okay. Nothing special," Thalassa said flatly, but the fact that she wasn't spitting it out was enough for Kris. They ate in silence for a while.

"You know, it's my first time making it in four years," Kris remarked quietly, his throat tightening.

Thalassa stiffened, immediately realizing he was referring to the time before they got married. Not bothering to reply, she shoveled another forkful of food into her mouth, hoping he would stop talking. But he didn't stop.

"Remember how I didn't know the first thing about cooking until I met you? I hated it. God, I used to burn toast half the time, let alone make a decent meal."

He let out a soft chuckle. "I only learned because of you. You made me love cooking. But after we divorced, I couldn't even attempt this dish because it always reminded me of you."

Thalassa's grip tightened around her fork. "I'm not sure why you're telling me this," she said coldly, "because I don't care, Kris."

Kris's face fell slightly, but he pressed on. "I want you to know that even when we were apart, I never stopped thinking about you. I never stopped loving you."

Thalassa's heart raced. The bastard. He was trying to mess with her emotions again, but she wasn't going to let

him.

Flashing a hard smile, she met his gaze. "Well, since we're going down memory lane, do you remember our first and only anniversary? I prepared a special dinner for us-for you. I went through all the trouble of setting it up in the garden, decorating with candles and flowers and all. I wanted everything to be perfect because it meant so

much to me that our marriage had survived a year, despite our 'marital problems.""

Kris swallowed hard, his throat tight. "Thalassa, I-"

"You never showed up," she cut him off, her voice devoid of emotion. "You didn't bother to answer my calls either. I sat there like an idiot, waiting for you. Your mother, your siblings, even your aunt-everyone knew you weren't coming. They passed by every other minute, mocking me. You made me a joke in a house that was supposed to be my home too."

Kris looked down, unable to meet her eyes. "I... You have no idea how much I wish I could change that. I should've been there. I should've-"

"But you weren't," Thalassa interrupted, her voice like ice. You chose not to be there, Kris. And when you finally came home the next day, do you remember what you said when I asked you why? You looked me dead in the eye and told me there was nothing worth celebrating and anniversary with a woman like me." She laughed bitterly. "I can't believe I stayed even after that, right up until the day you kicked me out of your life." - Slowly, Thalassa stood, her chair scrapping harshly against the floor. "I've lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal."

Before she could walk away, Kris jumped to his feet and grabbed her wrist. Thalassa froze, turning to face him with fury blazing in her eyes. "Let me go, Kris," she warned.

He shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry but I can't. I can't stand not having you in my life again because it would just kill me."

Her nostrils flared as she tried to free her hand, even using her other hand to try and tear his hand away, but he kept holding on. "I said let go of me, Kris."

Kris's face twisted in agony as his throat constricted. "Thalassa, I know I can't change the past or the things I did But..."

"But what?" she snapped, her eyes flashing coldly. "If you know you can't change the past, then what the fuck do you want from me, Kris?"

Kris took a deep, shaky breath, his gaze full of regret and yearning. "I want you back, Thalassa. I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you for every hurt I caused you. I want to spend the rest of my days making you the happiest woman alive. I want to be there for you always and show you that you can trust me with your heart."