Sweet Revenge With My Billionaire Vampire

Enzo slapped a hand over his face, erupting into laughter. "I told you," he said between chuckles.

Adeline whipped her head toward him, pointing a finger at him. "No. No, no, no. You said it wouldn’t taste the same as it used to. You did not say it would taste like literal ash."

"Same thing."

"No, it is not the same thing! I was expecting it to be, I don’t know, bland—not like I just licked the bottom of a fireplace!"

Enzo only laughed harder, enjoying this far too much.

Adeline stared at the tub of ice cream, her mind reeling, unable to believe it. Ice cream—something so simple that once brought her joy—was now nothing more than cold, flavorless ash on her tongue. She couldn’t eat it anymore.

And it wasn’t just ice cream, but anything she once loved. The sweetness, the warmth of a fresh-baked pastry, the richness of chocolate—it was all gone. Forever.

Her grip tightened around the spoon, and she snatched it back from Enzo, digging aggressively into the ice cream and scooping a spoonful from the strawberry side. She was hoping for a different result. Maybe it wouldn’t be as bad. Maybe it was just the vanilla that tasted like death.

Before she could bring it to her lips, Enzo caught her wrist in a firm but gentle grasp. "What are you doing?"

She yanked her arm free and shot him a glare. "I need to make sure."

She shoved the spoon into her mouth, and as soon as the ice cream hit her tongue, her hopes shattered.

Her entire body shuddered as the sensation hit her taste buds. If vanilla had been like licking ash, strawberry was like swallowing expired chalk mixed with even more ash. It was a dry taste, something that shouldn’t even be possible for something frozen. Still, she forced herself to swallow.

Her grip on the spoon slackened, and she let it drop with a soft clatter onto the counter. She didn’t say a word or even look at him. Instead, she slid off the chair. Her bare feet made no sound against the tiled floor as she walked around the counter, her steps filled with the weight of her growing devastation.

Enzo sighed lazily, pushing off the counter to follow her. "What now?" he asked, though he already knew, judging by what she was looking at while she walked.

Adeline ignored him, her eyes locked on a basket of fruit sitting at the edge of the counter. Coming to a halt, she grabbed it and pulled it closer, her fingers wrapping around a shiny red apple. Maybe it was just the processed stuff. Maybe something natural would taste different.

"Adeline, It’s still going to taste the—"

A loud crunch cut him off as she bit into the apple. He didn’t even bother finishing his sentence. He simply shoved his hands into the pockets of his pajama pants and watched as she chewed, waiting for reality to hit her again.

Her chewing slowed almost immediately, and her face twisted in disgust. The apple was crisp, fresh, probably one of the best quality apples anyone could ask for. But to her, it was just another mouthful of nothing. It tasted exactly like the ice cream. Ash. Dry, flavorless, utterly lifeless.

She swallowed, setting the apple down with more force than necessary, and reaching for a banana. But before she could peel it, Enzo swiftly snatched it from her grasp and dropped it back into the basket.

"That’s enough experimenting," he murmured, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his voice softening to a quiet murmur in her ear. "It’s all going to taste the same, my dear."

The words, though spoken softly, were like a dagger to her heart. Her body stiffened, and her breath hitched as she clenched her fists against him. She tried to hold it in, and swallow the frustration burning in her throat, but she couldn’t. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision before spilling over as she let out a small, pitiful whine.

"All those delicious foods I used to eat," she whispered, her voice cracking as she buried her face into his chest. "I can’t taste them anymore."

Enzo sighed, rubbing slow, soothing circles on her back. "That’s right. But you’ll get used to it."

She shook her head furiously against him. "No, I won’t." Pulling back, she broke free from his embrace and turned to fix a tearful gaze at the head chef. She had been standing by, watching the scene unfold with increasing bewilderment.

"Get me a knife," Adeline demanded, snapping her fingers dramatically. "I have to end it now."

The head chef’s lashes fluttered rapidly, clearly caught off guard. The kitchen, which had been alive with movement and conversation a few moments ago, had suddenly fallen eerily silent. A few of the cooks who had overheard turned to stare, their hands stilling over their tasks, while some exchanged puzzled glances. Others simply tilted their heads, trying to determine whether she was serious or just having some kind of dramatic meltdown.

Enzo, however, merely chuckled, shaking his head as he waved his hand dismissively at the chef. "Ignore her."

The head chef remained frozen, glancing between them.

Adeline’s lips quivered as she clutched a hand to her chest, leaning against the counter for support. "I said bring the knife. Pierce my heart with it, for I simply cannot live like this!"

A few of the maids stared, their mouths slightly agape, while some smiled, finding the whole thing amusing.

Enzo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Alright, let’s get you back to bed."

He closed the distance between them and slid one arm behind her back, then bent slightly to sweep the other under her knees, lifting her into his arms. Adeline didn’t even resist. She simply flopped against his chest like a lifeless doll.

Turning toward the head chef and the still-staring kitchen staff, Enzo gave them a small, apologetic nod. "She didn’t get enough sleep last night," he explained with a lopsided smirk. "She’s just a little cranky."

The head chef still looked a little stunned, but after a long pause, she gave a slow nod of understanding. "Ah. I see."