Her Precious Baby

When she emerged from the bathroom, Angeline caught sight of Floretta’s sleeping form on the bed. She could not help walking over to the little girl.

Floretta’s eyelids were twitching in her sleep. Angeline reached out to wrap the blanket tight around the girl. Then, she ran her fingers along Floretta’s forehead, smoothing down her hair and tucking stray strands behind her ears.

Angeline twisted on her heel and was about to leave quietly when Floretta’s sleepy voice called out, “Angel…”

Angeline thought that she had woken up the girl and quickly swiveled back to check on her.

However, Floretta’s eyes were still tightly shut. She was tossing about the bed restlessly, her little arms waving about as if she was reaching out for something. “Angel, don’t go! Hug me…”

Angeline’s heart melted at the sight. She wondered whether she should climb into the bed next to the little girl.

At that moment, a deep male voice said, “Just sleep here tonight.”

Angeline turned to look at Evander, who was walking slowly toward her from the door. Surprised by his words, she asked carefully, “Aren’t you afraid I might do something to Floretta?”

Evander slipped his hands into his pockets casually. He smelled faintly of tobacco.

“You wouldn’t dare to do anything under my watch,” Evander retorted arrogantly with a smirk.

Angeline did not reply. She gently sat down on the bed and pulled Floretta into her lap. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” she whispered to the girl, patting her shoulders lovingly.

Floretta clung onto Angeline’s shirt and buried her face in the woman’s chest. She sniffled for a while before falling back into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Angeline leaned back against the headboard. She let her eyelids slowly shut, but her hands never stopped patting the girl.

After the eventful day, her exhaustion was finally catching up to her.

she felt someone taking Floretta away from her lap. Then, she felt a

icy-cold sensation that brought relief to

eyes and was stunned to see Evander looking back

was sitting uncomfortably close to her bare legs. The situation felt wrong no matter how Angeline tried to look

Golding, w-what are

Evander replied simply, gesturing at the first aid

medication? Why is doing that for

of her sleepy haze immediately. Her eyes widened in shock as she finally wrapped her mind around what

still,” Evander

eyes, as always, were

still. She watched as he rubbed a cotton bud

scar remains, so you don’t have to worry about that,” Evander explained as he smeared the cream on. “I’m only doing this because you saved Floretta. I don’t like owing anyone favors. Besides, I know you really want to get out

brows furrowed in confusion. “What do

can make sure that the charges against you are dropped. We can forget about what happened in the freezer room,”

“Mr. Golding, are you rich and powerful people always like this? Deciding on someone’s fate at your

with an icy stare of his own. He thought that she was playing games with him. After all, he had seen this sort of drama play out with plenty of other

help, but if we just pretend the freezer room fiasco didn’t happen, you’ll

took Evander

can I continue to allow Floretta to be around someone who

entire career

earnestly into his, “—even if you withdraw

Fight to the end…

studied Angeline

would call her brave if she actually had anything to back up those words, but she has nothing! Where does her courage to say those words

to Floretta. Then,

on the other hand, was still wide awake. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing into the distant mountains. His face, like the mountains, was draped in an