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."

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

"After this glass, I'll

to him. "You can stay if you want, but if not, don't wash

Hissing in satisfaction, her smile widened before she pushed herself up. She dragged her

only been here for ten minutes, yet she was already sending him

something really stupid, didn't I?" he asked, making her pause

her lips curled before she looked back at

"All of it."

said was

"See me no matter what time of day it is, and I won't mind. But don't see me just because you feel like you have to. I told you-I don't like

shrugged. "For a second there,

making progress. Turns out... it's just your sense

the door when you leave," she added gently. "I'm going

when he suddenly grabbed her arm. Raising a brow,

said, his expression unreadable.

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

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

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

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

she nodded in

but she had to remind herself-Haines

she said approvingly. "I forgive

sigh of relief as he carefully released her arm. "Will you

smile returning. "I have another idea

Haines leaned back slightly. "I'm not going to

we both don't want to end up in jail," she quipped. "But since you upset me, you need to make me happy

bottle of wine and her empty glass. She then jerked her chin toward his wine glass, signaling for him to

she added as

hesitated, but he still picked up the plate and his wine glass. When he walked into the living area, he saw her setting the bottle and glass