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.

glittering in his eyes. Flushing, she mumbled through gritted teeth, “Bottom line is that you can’t stay

as soon as the thunder stops,”

tightly Jared was clinging onto Elliot, Anastasia nodded and said in

and headed back into her bedroom. When she saw the undergarment that he had retrieved earlier, she was seized

was even a weather alert that urged everyone to stay safe because it was

that we spent the night together at my place, the rumor mill will have a

With the apartment’s limited space, she didn’t

that he could wash up for bed. A while later, Anastasia emerged from the room with

message. Jared immediately grabbed her phone and keyed in the pin before reading the text. “It’s

out of concern as it read, ‘Anastasia, are you and Jared alright? Do you need me to go over and keep you guys

and busied himself with his Legos once more. Elliot reached for

that did not deter Nigel from his enthusiastic efforts. ‘You know I’m just

to drop by right now,

over at your place plenty of times

was as stormy as the sky outside as he thought, Which base did they get

more than happy to take care of you and Jared for

both

die inside. He cringed and tossed the phone to the