What gave him the right to care?

  Lina was floored by his audacity. She could say nothing. She couldn't even look at him. Her heart burned with angst the more he cared about her. She didn't like the way he gazed at her as if she still belonged to him. Who was he to worry over her?

  Lina shoved him away. Before he could grab her, she picked an item from the aisle. She realized she was still at the front, where the baked goods were. Randomly picking up a loaf of fluffy sandwich bread, she chucked it into the cart.

  "Dove."

  Lina ignored him. She pushed the cart down the aisle, picking up everything and anything that a growing boy would need. She remembered Milo's drawers only had spices and sauce. She'd have to buy non-perishable goods like dried pasta noodles, grains such as rice, easy to cook beans, and other things. She recalled he loved spaghetti, whether it was tomato or cream.

  Lina picked up two extra boxes of the highest quality dried spaghetti she could find in a local grocery store. The chain was known for their organic products, which Milo always complained tasted nothing like the "unhealthy" version.

  "Is it Clyde?"

  Lina's fingers trembled. She picked up the nearest bag of uncooked beans. Perhaps she could turn it into a sweet dessert. She proceeded down the aisle, but didn't bother with the cart. She knew Kaden trudged after her, resembling a wounded pup.

  Lina began to approach the produce aisle. Milo would most likely have a hangover. A hearty soup and lunch should wake him up in no time. He'd also need electrolytes, so she grabbed a few bottles of sports drink.

  "If you do not tell me, dove, I will shoot each of your family dead one by one."

  Lina picked up a tomato, examined it for blemishes, then gently placed it into the cart. Cream pasta would upset Milo's stomach further. Perhaps she could make him chicken noodle soup with a side of salad and tomato bruschetta.

  "Dove," Kaden snarled, wrapping an arm around her.

  This instantly caught her attention. Lina attempted to wriggle out of his grasp, but he lowered his head. She gasped when his lips brushed on her cheek.

  "Tell me," Kaden insisted, immediately lowering his voice. His greedy mouth traveled lower, nipping at her chin.

  "Get off," Lina hissed.

  Kaden reluctantly agreed. He dropped his hand. He hated to use brute force with her. She was too fragile and he was worried he'd hurt her. Watching her storm towards the fresh basil, he could only sigh. She was purposefully disregarding everything he said.

  Fine.

  Kaden would just shoot Clyde first thing at midnight. She'd just have to wake up to the news of her deceased second uncle. Only Clyde would have the guts to touch what belonged to Kaden.

  "You've returned," Kaden softly said, his eyes brightening when she approached him again.

  Lina gave him the cold shoulder. She placed fresh herbs into the cart and then left again. She could feel his heavy stare, like fire on her skin. He was as clingy as a weaning animal.

  Eventually, Lina heard the cart softly rattling behind her. Kaden was once again following her. Lina didn't bother to complain about the extra help. He won't listen to her anyway. She'd rather not waste her breath.

  "You're making chicken soup," Kaden realized. "I made fresh chicken bone broth last night, Sebastian is bringing it as we speak."

  "I don't need your damn broth."

  "The bones were boiled for a while with turkey as well, deepening the flavor. It's much more healthy than whatever stock carton this is," Kaden continued, picking up the newest item and returning it to the aisle.

  "I—"

  "Milo could use the extra nutrients," Kaden coerced.

  Lina scowled. She hated to admit that he was right. With great reluctance, she could do nothing but accept his offer. It would be nice if Milo had the best of the best.

  "……what do you think he did?"

  "That's the guilty expression of a husband who's screwed up."

  "I've never seen a more attractive couple in these aisles."

  Lina tried to not complain. She hid her obvious displeasure to the whispers around them. Everyone must have thought they were a newlywed couple doing their weekly grocery shopping. She hated the way they glanced at her with awe, as if she had her life together. She didn't.

  "Tomato paste is the secret to a great and hearty chicken soup—"

  "Can you stop it?" Lina suddenly said, coming to an abrupt stop.

  Lina sharply turned to him, her lips thinned. "I know what you're doing and I don't like it."

  Kaden calmly placed the tomato paste into the cart. Her eyes flashed with hatred, and she instantly reached into the cart. He curled his fingers around hers, tugging it towards him.

  "You're upset, talk to me, dove."

  Lina breathed through her nose. She yanked her hand back. He obliged. Kaden stood before her with earnest eyes. There was no pretending. No mask to hide his emotions. He was honest with her, for once.

  "I don't like this," Lina admitted.

  "You used to like tomato paste," Kaden murmured, noting the discovery down. Tomato paste was his favorite ingredient to use to deepen the flavor. The next time he cooks for her, he'll just chuck it out.

  "I don't mean the paste."

  Kaden tugged his brows together. He gazed into the cart, wondering what else she disliked. When he examined the ingredients, there was nothing she hated in here. Not even the parsley, which some people complained tasted like soap just because they lacked a crucial gene. Natural selection, he always believed.

  "Did you develop a sudden allergy to something? You've always agreed with all of these ingredients," Kaden muttered, shifting through what they currently have.

  "We look like a couple and I hate it."

  "You really do have a brat kink," Kaden deadpanned, raising his head at her spoiled nature.

  Kaden always prided himself on his patience. For her, he was willing to be a saint. Despite her damaging comment, Kaden offered a humorous smile.

  "Lucky for you, I do enjoy punishment and pleasure together," Kaden said, giving her a tap on the nose.

  Lina turned bright red, whether from anger or embarrassment, he couldn't care less. Kaden rested his hand upon the shopping cart's bar on the other side of where she was. He indirectly had her in an embrace, his arm barely brushing her lower back.

  "I want you to leave."

  "And miss out on feeding my brother-in-law? No."

  "Kaden—"

  "Ah, the first time you've said my name since five years ago."

  "One day, you're going to give me high blood pressure," Lina snarled, shoving his hand away from the cart bar. She began to push it herself, for she was done shopping and needed to head to Milo's place as soon as possible.

  Kaden trailed behind her. "You always oversalt your food, it would be no wonder."

  Lina came to a sharp stop and threw him a glare.

  "Truth hurts, dove."

  Kaden didn't wait for her to rebuttal. He began to unload the cart, but she was a violent little thing. She swatted at his hand, reminding him of a stray cat he took in recently.

  Lina unhulled the ingredients herself. Kaden smirked and let her do as she pleased. When Kaden's irking presence was nowhere near her, Lina let out a sigh of relief. She placed every item down, the cashier and grocery bagger working at the speed of light. When she raised her head and set the last ingredient down, everything was already in a bag.

  "No wait—"

  Kaden swiped his black card. The register beeped and a receipt rolled out…… After all of her tantrums, Kaden still paid for the ingredients.