A deal with the devil

Chapter 20

Samuel glanced at the woman bring in his bed through the phone screen. After a moment of silence, he finally gave in and agreed.

Once Samuel left the room, the woman on his bed opened her eyes.

A short while later, Shirley spotted Samuel’s tigate. She stepped out of the car and stood a few feet away, gazing at him from a distance.

Neither of them moved closer, as though an unbridgeable chasm had separated them.

Shirley had died to the nines that evening, She was an embodiment of elegance, carrying herself with both regal poise and the youthful charm of a young maiden Samuel had always known the was stunning, but that night, his heart had no room for anyone but Sophia,

“Spook.”

umar) stood there, as composed and poised as always. Yet the tenderness and indulgence that used to color his gaze were no longer there. Shirley suddenly found herself at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally said, “I just came back from seeing Ben…”

H

She was off by a pained ery

To was Sophia. had fallen to the ground

toward het. “Why are you put of bod? Where did you hurt yourself? Let me

filled with fear, woke up and couldn’t find you, I was so scared. Promise me, Samuel. Promise that you’ll never

to her forehead, he muured,

he scooped sophia up in his arms and walked briskly back toward the use. It wasn’t until Shirley called

tracks. Just as he was about to turn, Sophia clutched at his shirt tighth. Her brown

much-

had left evaporated. Turning back to Shirley, he said with his tone sharp with irritation, “What exactly do you want to say?

sound came out. Then, as steeling herself, she bot out

for a moment, then smiled faintly “is

I just wanted to let you know that I’m getting married tomorrow.”

an excuse, a desperate attempt to cling to him. He knew he couldn’t afford to show her any softness.

pang in his chest, Samuel carried Sophia inside without

“Congratulations“. Congratulations

look at Brook, who had been sitting silently in the car. Her voice was hoarse, as though on the verge of collapse. “Did you hear

regretted bringing here. “Maybe he didn’t take your words sealously.

down Shirley’s cheek. She let out a bitter laugh.

could she keep deceiving herself?

you.

had been