Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1420: Snuggle

Why did Haines show up tonight?

Simple.

Initially, he didn't have to. Getting away from this arrangement for a day sounded like a treat—at least for a second. It gave him a moment to reflect on himself and his decisions. But as he headed home, something in his mind refused to let him go without a care in the world.

He had put himself in this situation, made her sleep in a car, and instead of facing consequences, he'd received an extension of her understanding. It didn't sit right with him. So, even though he had skipped her birthday and was already late, he still came to check on her.

Coincidentally, she was still there.

And now, here he was, sitting across from her in the kitchen of her home as she finished her last glass of wine for the night.

"So?" Grace swirled the wine in her glass, resting her chin on her palm. She glanced up at him as he draped his blazer suit over the chair before sitting down. "Won't you tell me why you came tonight?"

Haines raised a brow and shrugged. "I had an obligation."

"And what exactly is that obligation?" Intrigue flickered in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly.

"The arrangement," he said, clearing his throat. He entertained her, but his tone remained distant. Haines poured himself a glass of wine - just enough to say he had stayed and drank with her before excusing himself.

"What about the arrangement?" A playful smile appeared on her lips as she watched him glance at her. "I remember giving you a pass, didn't I?"

"And it doesn't feel right to be rewarded after making you sleep in my car."

"I didn't know you were a mild masochist for wanting punishments."

Haines paused, setting the bottle aside before meeting her gaze. "It's not that I seek punishment. However, I feel that I have responsibilities in this arrangement. And I don't want to owe you."

"Oh." Grace rocked her head slightly, letting out a faint chuckle as her eyes dropped to the wine in her hand. A subtle smile curved her lips as she swirled the liquid. "I see."

answer made his brows furrow in confusion. He watched as she took a

I've had a lot to drink tonight," she said. "After this glass, I'll definitely crash in

closer to him. "You can stay if you want, but

wine. Hissing in satisfaction, her smile widened

been here for ten minutes, yet she was

something really stupid, didn't I?"

of her lips curled before she looked back at

"All of it."

I said was

before a shallow chuckle escaped her lips. "See me no matter what time of day it is, and I won't mind. But don't see me just because you feel

escaped her as she shrugged.

it's just your

you leave," she added

but she stopped when he suddenly grabbed her arm. Raising a brow, she

sorry," he said, his expression unreadable. "It's not my intention to

She shrugged. "Also, are you apologizing because you mean it? Or because you

at each other. Grace didn't seem upset-not with that faint smile on her face-but he knew she was. He could feel it deep in his bones,

truthfully. "I'm not sure if that's another

her lips into a thin line, studying his face. A moment later, a defeated sigh escaped

nodded in

the most patient person in the world, but she had to remind herself-Haines had been single all his life. How would he know any

she said approvingly.

relief as he carefully released her arm. "Will you sit

her bright smile returning. "I have

slightly. "I'm not going

jail," she quipped. "But since you upset me, you need to make

Grace grabbed the bottle of wine and her empty glass. She then jerked her chin toward his wine glass, signaling for him to pick it

added

he still picked up the plate and his wine glass. When he