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

as he turned and quicidy strode toward het. “Why are you put of bod? Where did you hurt yourself?

and couldn’t find you, I was

patted her back soothingly. Pressing gentle kiss to her forehead, he muured,

in his arms and walked briskly back toward the use. It wasn’t until Shirley called out to him that be remembered she was still standing there.

to turn, Sophia clutched at his shirt tighth.

much-

to Shirley, he said with his tone sharp with irritation, “What exactly

parted, but no sound came out. Then, as steeling herself,

a moment, then smiled faintly “is that so?

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

cling to him. He knew he couldn’t afford to show her any softness. Otherwise, she’d start

pang in his chest, Samuel carried

“Congratulations“. Congratulations

to look at Brook, who had been sitting silently in the car. Her voice was hoarse, as though on the verge of

of guilt. He regretted bringing here. “Maybe he didn’t

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

could she

you.

home. Megan had been returned safely.