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.

said quietly. "Do you want to lose the use of your

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

tears from her face, his gaze lingering on her swollen eyes and damp lashes. His lips pressed into a

Benson who

shifted. She looked up at him, meeting his deep, penetrating gaze, and quickly shook her head. "No. Really, I

going to lie to me, at least come up with a better excuse. Where would sand even come from in

through her clumsy attempt

her and Benson,

he just

Theo, this is a private matter. I don't want to talk about it," she said after a

if I

step forward, closing the distance between them in an

like the still surface of a deep lake untouched by wind. But

Her wrist was still held securely in Theo's grip, and his tall frame

to race against her will. She had always been careful to maintain boundaries with others, but Theo's

called him "Uncle Theo", the truth was, he was only

for a moment before forcing herself to remain composed. "Uncle Theo, I respect you as an elder, but don't you think standing this close to