Chapter 65

The old lady didn’t even glance at Arnold. Instead, she turned to Alex with a bright smile, pulling him into a warm hug.

Alex, on the other hand, looked guilty when he saw Nora. His arms hesitated before he reached out to hug her as well.

But the moment he got close, Nora caught a faint scent–one she recognized all too well.

Linda.

Her perfume lingered on Alex’s clothes.

A small, almost imperceptible flicker crossed Nora’s face. But she said nothing.

Instead, she pulled back smoothly, creating distance without making it obvious.

Alex blinked, slightly caught off guard.

There was no anger, no confrontation–just a quiet withdrawal. And somehow, that unsettled him more.

Dinner passed peacefully, filled with laughter and conversation, but Nora remained quiet. She listened, nodded at the right moments, and smiled when expected, but her mind was elsewhere.

As the evening wound down, the old lady made it clear that Nora should stay the night.

More specifically, in Arnold’s room.

There was no room for argument.

And so, when bedtime came, Nora found herself in the same space as Arnold.

Inside the grand bedroom, Arnold sat at his desk, busy with work. His sharp profile was illuminated by the soft glow of the desk lamp.

Nora, meanwhile, curled up on the couch, flipping through a book she wasn’t really reading.

Neither spoke,

The silence between them was not tense, but it was heavy.

They were used to this kind of distance.

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Chapter 65

down and crawled into bed, keeping to the very edge, making sure there was plenty of space between them.

doubted Arnold would

under, she felt surprisingly warm.

Safe.

was surrounded

stirred

first, she didn’t think much of it. But

brushed

stiffened,her mind snapped awake instantly. Slowly, carefully,

realized-

around her. His strong arms encircled her waist, his legs loosely tangled with hers. His steady breath fanned

close. Too

of all, it felt

remained still, her heart

had this

side of the bed. There had been plenty of space between

why was she now in his

trying to slip away.

did, his hold instinctively

Her breath hitched.

half asleep, he murmured, “Sleep a

was low, drowsy, laced with warmth.

Chapter 65

react, a soft kiss landed on her

at her to move, to

But her heart?

just a

It hesitated.

Nora froze.

breath hitched, her body stiffened, and her mind spun in turmoil.

against her skin, but his soft words–Sleep a little longer–echoed in her ears, cutting deeper than she expected.

wasn’t talking

wasn’t holding

he had mistaken her for someone else.

Linda.

pain squeezed her

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