Chapter 1448 Zephyrâs smile held a hint of transcendence, a serene detachment that couldnât help but influence Eleanor and even Bernard, who felt his eager anticipation to meet Caleb settle into a calm stillness.
Bernard, who usually never drank anything outside his home, took the colorful stained-glass tumbler in his hand and brought it to his lips. The sip was delicate and the fragrance of the tea infusion quickly spread through his senses, revealing an unexpected charm.
He was silent for a moment before looking up at Zephyr, âYou do look like him, but you are not him.â
The words, âbut you are not him,â indicated that in Bernardâs heart, no one could replace Caleb. Caleb was irreplaceable, unique, and even if someone bore a striking resemblance, they could never truly be him.
For Zephyr, Bernardâs distinction was a comfort, âThe fact that you can tell us apart shows how much Caleb also meant to you. Such mutual care and friendship is truly priceless.â
Bernardâs eyes fell, hiding the shade of melancholy, âI did wish you were him for a moment, but seeing you, I knew it was just a fantasy.â
Zephyr, observing the man suffused with regret, offered some consolation, âIf you donât mind, you can think of me as him. I am willing to take his place and serve you as he would have, sir.â
It seemed only fair to Zephyr, who had enjoyed the familyâs fortunes while his brother had walked towards death in the storm, to make some amends for the imbalance of their fates.
The term âsir,â falling on Bernardâs ears, was as if Caleb had returned to him.
The hardships of the journey were akin to crossing the mythical River Styx, and Bernardâs heart ached at the thought.
Staring at Zephyrâs face, Bernard softly asked, âWhat did you just call me?â
Zephyr set down his teacup, turned his face slightly, and with a teasing arch of his eyebrow, said, âSir.â
He remembered Robin telling him Caleb liked to refer to the head of the Laurence Group as Mr. Law.
Bernard hesitated for a moment, as if he could see Caleb through Zephyrâs features.
Back then, after firing his last shot, Caleb would sling the rifle over his shoulder, raise an eyebrow, and tilt his chin up at Bernard.
1/3 09:23 Chapter 1448 âSir, I was the first to finish the shooting drill today. Donât you think I deserve a little bonus?â
âHit thirty more targets, and Iâll give you ten grand.â
âOnly ten grand? Youâre such a cheapskate.â
âAre you going to shoot or not?â
âOf course, I will. Ten grand is still money!â
That carefree and willful young man would then shoulder his rifle and keep shooting for that hundred thousand dollars.
Sometimes, Bernard wondered if Caleb would still be alive if he had not followed him into that dangerous life.
He looked at Zephyr, lost in thought, but Zephyr pulled him back from his painful memories, âMr. Law, the past is gone. Let it go.
The person before him spoke with the wisdom of a sage, with a touch of the spiritual, and Bernard, watching this new version of Caleb, slowly gathered his thoughts, took another sip of his tea, and found himself at a loss for words.
They sat in silence for a while until Zephyr turned to Eleanor, âMiss, Iâve noticed you seem to have something on your mind. Is there something youâd like to say to me?â
Eleanor didnât actually have anything particular to say; she was just moved by his face that so resembled Calebâs. But since Zephyr asked, she ventured, âWould you like to try some of my husbandâs cooking?â
After the question escaped her lips, she regretted it, realizing it was unfair to seek Calebâs shadow in Zephyr. Yet Zephyr simply smiled, âI suspect your husbandâs cooking isnât the best?â
His tone was different from Calebâs, but his assumption about Bernardâs culinary skills was the same. Eleanor found herself unexpectedly feeling a connection; it was no wonder Katharine had made the mistake.
Zephyrâs playful jab, âisnât the best,â made Eleanor feel an affinity with him, similar to how she felt with Caleb. She relaxed and laughed, âItâs downright dreadful.â
Zephyrâs gaze shifted to Bernard, dressed impeccably in his suit, and couldnât help but tease, âNow, Iâm quite curious to see just how dreadful Mr.
Lawâs cooking can be.â
The mention of âMr. Lawâ prompted Bernard to drop his guard, his eyes twinkling with a hint of humor, âIf you donât mind, Iâd like to borrow your kitchen.â
Zephyr agreed, and they headed to the kitchen. Watching Bernard mix up the salt and sugar, Zephyr Bernard led, âI never thought someone of your stature would actually cook for Caleb.â
3315 09:23 Chapter 1448 Holding the saltshaker, Bernard poured several spoonful into the pot, mistaking it for sugar, and replied, âI regret that the last dinner I had with him wasnât made by me.â
He was merely crashing a meal, after all.
Remembering Caleb sitting at the dinner table on the deck, forced to eat everything despite its awful taste, preferring to jump into the sea rather than endure another bite, Bernard couldnât help but smile.
Sadly, that version of Caleb would never return.
Looking at Bernardâs wistful profile, Zephyr spoke with warmth, âThe meals you prepare with your own hands, Iâll eat them for him.â
A Second Chance At Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)
ï¤Chapter 1447 Impulsive Vow to an Enigmatic Husband (END)
ï¤Chapter 1765 (END)
Bernard was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly, and continued to sprinkle âsugarâ into the pot with a renewed vigor.