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

Chapter 1421: Felt wrong

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Haines didn't move an inch. He sat there like a statue, even controlling his breathing as if afraid that inhaling too deeply would give Grace an excuse to squeeze herself against him again. Instead, he stared at the television with wide eyes, as if watching a horror movie rather than a romance.

"It's ending," he muttered, carefully glancing down at her.

Much to his dismay, Grace had already fallen asleep. Had he been paying attention, he would've realized she'd dozed off five minutes into the movie.

Haines blinked and tapped her side lightly. "Grace."

No response.

"The movie's over," he said. "And I'm going home."

Still nothing.

Grace remained curled up beside him, wrapped comfortably in a soft blanket, her head resting on the pillow in his lap. Haines tried shaking her gently, but she didn't

wake up.

A shallow breath slipped past him, his tensed shoulders lowering. "And now, how am I supposed to go home?"

It would be easy if he were less considerate. He could just stand up and wake her without a second thought. But that wasn't who he was. Even with Charles, he wouldn't wake him so abruptly.

His mouth pressed into a thin line as his gaze lingered on her sleeping profile. The slight curl at the corner of her lips suggested she was dreaming of something pleasant.

Haines raised a hand, intending to brush away the strands of hair on her cheek.

But inches before he could, he caught himself.

'What are you doing?' he asked himself, quickly withdrawing his hand and clasping it into a fist.

Another deep sigh escaped him as he leaned back, cocking his head against the couch. "This... feels really wrong," he whispered.

This warmth. This closeness. The comfort of having another person so near.

It felt wrong.

moment-it all felt foreign. And

Grace. She was still fast asleep, her head resting on his lap. He couldn't move

wondered. 'If you're dying, why...

that question in his own mind, based on theory. Even so, the thought lingered, nagging at him as if something was missing from his conclusion.

the most frustrating part of all... was

two of them simply lounging

a little

it the setting? The

this kind of

kind

bitterness creeping

had to stop thinking so foolishly. He had already made one mistake. By meeting

knew-without a doubt that this would never end well

couldn't know that he was already aware of her condition. He'd seen a glimpse of her reaction earlier, and he knew it had only been a fraction

he let himself believe, even for

be able

thought alone

his heart, only to be

called, shaking her shoulder lightly. "Please wake

Grace let out a soft, sleepy hum, her brows knitting together as her eyes fluttered

out a quiet sigh of

asleep?" she murmured, her voice hoarse as she rubbed her eyes. Pushing herself upright, she glanced

Qu

trailers for the next movie. A slow smile tugged at her lips as she turned

she

a choice?" he replied flatly, making her chuckle. "I'm leaving

you don't

head. "I have a lot to do

though his mind wasn't

I'll walk you

response was quick, casting her a look.

she swung her legs off the couch. "I'll walk

other in

"I'll get my blazer