Chapter 79

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 Sarah. His arms hesitated before he reached out to hug her as well.

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

Linda.

Her perfume lingered on Alex’s clothes.

A small, almost imperceptible flicker crossed Sarah’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 Sarah 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 Sarah should stay the night.

More specifically, in Arnold’s room.

There was no room for argument.

And so, when bedtime came, Sarah 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.

Sarah, 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.

Chapter 79

was late, Sarah finally started to feel drowsy. She put the book down and crawled into bed, keeping to the very edge, making

doubted Arnold would stay.

as sleep pulled her under, she felt

Safe.

she was surrounded

stirred her from sleep.

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

breath brushed against her ear.

instantly. Slowly, carefully,

realized-

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

close. Too

worst of all, it felt natural.

still, her heart

had this happened?

the far side of the

now in

moved slightly, trying to

did, his hold instinctively tightened.

Her breath hitched.

he murmured, “Sleep a

voice was low, drowsy, laced with warmth.

14:07

Chapter 79

react, a soft kiss

at her to move, to

But her heart?

just a moment-

It hesitated.

Sarah froze.

body stiffened, and her mind spun in turmoil.

soft words–*“Sleep a little longer“*–echoed in her ears, cutting deeper

talking to

wasn’t holding

he had mistaken her

Linda.

sharp pain squeezed her chest.

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