Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 50: Lunchbox

Kendrick hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, the heaviness in his chest pushing him closer to his mother. "I didn’t want you to worry," he said softly, his eyes earnest.

"You’ve already got so much on your plate. I’m okay, Mom. I swear. I just want to ease your burden. Besides, I’ve got big clients who love my paintings. They’ve been keeping me really busy these days."

Christy didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she studied him in silence, her eyes gently searching his face as if trying to read the words he wasn’t saying. Then she walked over, reached up, and placed a warm hand on his cheek.

"I’m your mother, Kendrick," she said quietly, her voice filled with something between pride and worry. "I’ll always worry. Even when you tell me not to."

He smiled faintly, guilt threading its way through his heart. "I know. And I’m sorry. I’ll do better."

"Good," she replied, letting her hand fall. "Because if you don’t come home for dinner tomorrow, I’ll come drag you out of that studio myself."

Kendrick chuckled, playing along. "Yes, ma’am."

But deep down, he knew he was lying by omission. His mother didn’t know the full truth—that he wasn’t staying late at the studio or caught up with clients. He had signed a marriage contract and was currently living with his contracted wife.

He wanted to tell her. The words hovered at the back of his throat, but they never came out. She already carried enough. The last thing he wanted was to add confusion and questions to her already long list of concerns. And so, he swallowed the truth and buried the guilt with a practiced smile.

The tension in the room melted away when the door creaked and a sleepy voice interrupted their moment.

"Good morning, Mom! Good morning, Brother!"

Levy shuffled out of her room, her hair still messy and eyes barely open. She walked straight to the kitchen without waiting for a response, but just as she reached the fridge, she froze and turned around with a glare.

"Where’s my pudding, dear brother?"

Kendrick let out a laugh at her expression. Her brows were drawn together, mouth in a pout, eyes narrowed like a disappointed cat.

"Here. I knew it would be the first thing you’d ask, brat."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a small cup of strawberry pudding. He tossed it gently to her, and she caught it with a small, satisfied grunt.

"Took you long enough," she mumbled, popping open the lid and grabbing a spoon.

Christy watched the exchange with a smile tugging at her lips. "You two never change," she said, shaking her head. "It’s almost lunchtime. Let me cook something proper for us."

She moved to the kitchen with practiced ease, opening cupboards and pulling out ingredients. Levy settled at the table with her pudding, occasionally shooting Kendrick a look as if daring him to steal a spoonful.

"So," Levy said, mouth half full. "What were you and Mom talking about before I graced you with my presence? You both looked weirdly serious."

Kendrick shrugged, pretending to sip his coffee. "Nothing much. Just Mom being Mom."

"Worrying about you again?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Christy called from the stove. "He never tells me anything, this one. Always disappearing."

"You should really start a vlog, Kenny," Levy teased. "Title it: The Secret Life of a Brooding Artist."

"Would you be my first subscriber?"

"Only if you promise to cry on camera at least once a week."

The three of them broke into laughter, the room filled with warmth. The savory smell of sautéed garlic and onions wafted from the stove as Christy began preparing a stir-fry with vegetables and leftover roast beef.

"Levy, grab the plates," she said over her shoulder.

"On it. But only because I’m the favorite child."

"In your dreams," Kendrick replied.

"Oh please, you’re the brooding one. I’m the sunshine."

They continued their banter while setting the table. Moments like these were rare but precious. It was in these moments that Kendrick forgot about the contract, the lies, and the heavy truth he carried.

As they sat together and shared the meal, Christy placed extra rice on Kendrick’s plate. "Eat more, son. You’re looking thinner."

"Mom, he’s always been like that," Levy said, waving her spoon. "He burns calories just by thinking too hard."

Kendrick laughed. "Must be the stress of living with you."

"Tch. You’re lucky I like you."

Christy chuckled, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "You two are impossible. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world."

---

Elsewhere in the city, as lunchtime rolled around, Zephany sat at her desk, a small smile playing on her lips. She opened the lunchbox her brother had brought her earlier.

The food inside was warm and comforting—a simple serving of grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, and rice, packed neatly in containers. It made her heart swell. Reynold didn’t always express his feelings in words, but he always made sure she was taken care of.

As she started to eat, another lunchbox caught her eye. She blinked, realizing Kendrick had given her one too that morning.

"Ah..." she whispered to herself, almost forgetting.

Now she had too much food to eat alone.

She glanced at Pia across the room and waved her over.

"Pia, come eat with me. There’s more than enough."

Pia didn’t need to be told twice. She sprang from her chair, dragging it beside Zephany.

"Don’t mind if I do," she said, clapping her hands together. "Sharing is caring, after all."

Zephany laughed softly. "You’re shameless."

"Shameless and hungry," Pia replied, already peeking into the second lunchbox. "Oooh, someone’s been treated well. You got two lunchboxes? What are you, a celebrity?" ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Zephany shook her head, cheeks pink. "One’s from my brother. The other... um... a friend."

Pia paused mid-bite, her fork halfway to her mouth. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "A friend, huh? You’ve been smiling weirdly ever since lunch started."

Zephany’s gaze dropped to her food. She couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her lips again.