A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo)

Chater 9 Sierra spun around quickly, startled to see Theo standing behind her. She hadn't even noticed when he'd arrived.

"Uncle Theo, what are you doing here?"

His sharp eyes took in her tear-streaked face and red-rimmed eyes. In a deep, steady voice, he asked, "Who upset you?"

"No one. I just got something in my eye," Sierra stammered, her tone flustered as she hurried to explain.

She raised her hand to wipe her tears, but the motion tugged at her injury, and she gasped sharply in pain. The wound on her arm reopened earlier when Sophie had deliberately squeezed it.

Before she could react, a hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her. Theo had already stepped closer, so close that they stood toe-to-toe. Without a word, he wiped the tears from her face.

Sierra's heart tightened, and her body went rigid. The sudden closeness was overwhelming, and the faint, cool scent of pine on him filled her senses.

Even this gesture—his hand brushing against her skin as he wiped her tears—felt far too intimate.

"Uncle Theo, I can do it myself," she protested softly, taking a small step back.

She reached out to take the tissue from him, but before she could, Theo caught her hand.

move," he said quietly. "Do you want to lose the use

pressed against her wrist, their warmth seeping into her skin, and she could feel the

face, his gaze lingering on her swollen eyes and damp lashes. His lips pressed into a thin, tight line before he spoke, his tone

Benson

and quickly shook her head. "No. Really, I just got some

least come up with a better excuse. Where would sand even

her

her lip tightly. She didn't want to talk about what had happened between her and Benson, especially not with Theo.

told him, wouldn't he just end up taking Benson's

I don't want to talk about it,"

if I insist

took a deliberate step forward, closing the

of a deep lake untouched by wind. But there was an unshakable pressure beneath it, quiet,

behind Sierra left her no room to retreat. Her wrist was still held securely in Theo's grip, and his tall frame loomed over herm enveloping her completely. It was as though she had

boundaries with others, but Theo's deliberate step forward had crossed every unspoken line she had

him "Uncle Theo", the truth was, he was only five years older than

composed. "Uncle Theo, I respect you as an elder, but don't you think standing this close