Night of Destiny Novel by Vanessa K

Chapter 66

The downpour didn’t look like it would stop anytime soon. Looking over at the man on the couch, Anastasia offered, “I’ll get you an umbrella right away.”

However, Elliot eyed her in mild amusement as he said matter-of-fačtly, “I’m staying here for the night.”

Stunned, she blinked at him for a moment and asked, “Why?”

“Because Jared needs me.” As if to make a point, Elliot stroked Jared’s head with his large palm like he was some kind of guardian deity, and the little one looked up at him with an imploring expression and begged, “Mr. Presgrave, Mommy and I are terrified of lightning and thunder, so can you please stay with us and keep us safe for the night?”

Anastasia immediately interjected, “Absolutely not, Jared. I’m more than capable of keeping you safe during the storm.”

“But you’re terrified of thunder too, Mommy!” Jared argued, mercilessly calling her bluff.

“I am not. I’m just—” She was about to make her case when the universe, determined to prove her wrong, called upon yet another bout of lightning that slithered past the sky and tore through the night. As always, this was followed by another violent clap of thunder.

She shuddered, flinching as she clasped her hands to her ears quickly.

not miss the amusement glittering in his eyes. Flushing, she mumbled through gritted teeth,

soon as the thunder

Elliot, Anastasia nodded and said in resignation, “Fine, then. You can’t go back to your

that he had retrieved earlier, she was seized with the urge to kick herself. Of all the things to drop from the pile of

thunder was relentless, and the storm outside the window raged on. There was even a weather alert that urged everyone to stay safe because it was likely that the thunderstorm would go

man stay here for the whole night? If everyone finds out that we spent the night together at my place,

exactly staying at the most accommodating of abodes. With the apartment’s limited space, she didn’t have an extra room to put Elliot in, and the only beds here

it got later and the thunder finally waned in its ferocity, Jared was dragged into the bathroom by his mother so that he could wash up for bed. A while later, Anastasia emerged from the

Anastasia’s phone beeped with a new message. Jared immediately grabbed her phone and keyed in

out of concern as it read, ‘Anastasia, are you and

his Legos once more. Elliot reached for the pink phone, and with his long fingers clutching the device,

from his enthusiastic efforts. ‘You know I’m just worried about you and Jared, Anastasia. I’ll come over

can’t. It isn’t suitable for you to drop by right now, came Elliot’s

your place plenty of times while we

face was as stormy as the sky outside as he thought, Which

another text came from Nigel. ‘Anastasia, all you need to do is say yes and I’d be more than happy to take care of you and Jared for life. I’d stand

both

Elliot want to die inside. He cringed and tossed the phone to the empty space