I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 628

In just a few seconds, Steven was out of sight. I hurried back to the room.

Gordon was waiting at the door. "Ma'am, where did you go? Please don't wander off without your phone. We were worried sick when we couldn't reach you. I was about to call the police, thinking you'd been kidnapped."

I offered him one of the pastries. "I went to work a part-time job. Try one, they're delicious."

"Please don't do that again. Mr. Lancaster is furious," Gordon warned me gravely, though his eyes lit up as he furtively snatched two pastries, making sure Steven wouldn't see. He then whispered, "Mr. Lancaster has a short temper, but he's easy to placate. Especially by you. Just say a few nice things, and he'll be fine."

With that, he scurried away as if someone were chasing him.

I entered the room, closing the door behind me. Seeing Steven on the sofa, I quickly sat down beside him and offered him the remaining box.

"Everyone said they're good. You should try one."

Without even glancing at the box, Steven snapped, "Stay away from me."

I had no idea what I'd done to offend him this time. I pouted, looking at the pretty little pastries with dissatisfaction.

"Why are you upset again? A grown man shouldn't be angry all the time. You'll give yourself an ulcer!"

He remained silent.

I pushed the box closer to him. "I made this batch especially for you. Gordon said you don't like sweets, so these aren't very sugary. And the designs... I made them just for this box. It's one of a kind!"

After a moment's thought, I pulled the cash I'd earned from my pocket and pressed it into his hand. "This is what I made today. Pretty impressive, right? It's for you."

Steven stared at the crisp bills in his hand, idly flicking them between his fingers, his eyes deep and cold.

"You run off without a word just to prove you're capable, and you expect me to praise you? Zephyra, this is an unfamiliar place. Do you have any sense of self-preservation at all?"

His lecture caught me off guard. "I asked the proprietor for information first, and it's broad daylight. It's perfectly safe with so many people around."

"Hah," he scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself..."

I ignored his harsh tone, picked up a pastry, and seized the opportunity to stuff it in his mouth.

With the pastry in his mouth, even his icy expression looked strangely adorable as he stared at me without blinking.

I watched him, propping my chin on my hand and drawing out my words with a grin.

"I looked for a part-time job for two reasons. First, I wanted to see if I could actually survive on my own skills. Looks can't be a crutch forever; there will always be someone prettier. It doesn't matter what my past was like or who I was—that's over. All that matters now is the path I choose for myself. Second, I'm the one who bankrupted you and made your life so difficult. Honestly, I feel guilty. I want to atone for it, earn some money to help you pay off your debts, and make things a little easier for you."

"I admit, part of me wanted to impress you, but it wasn't just to prove something to you. I don't do things just for an audience."

"But... last night you told me not to flirt with you, yet you were the one searching for me, who came all this way to pick me up and protect me. You might be harsh with your words, but you genuinely care, warning me about bad people in the world. Steven, right now, it feels like *you're* the one flirting with *me*—"