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.

peace of the moment-it all felt foreign. And it frustrated him that he

to Grace. She was still fast

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

own mind, based on theory. Even so, the thought lingered, nagging at him as if something was missing from his conclusion. And perhaps, because of that, he

most frustrating part of all... was experiencing

A movie playing. The two of them simply lounging on the couch until one of

a

remember from the past. And somehow, it made him wonder-was it the setting? The mood? Or had

kind

kind

bitterness creeping into his thoughts.

had already made one mistake. By meeting her every night, he was making

he knew-without a doubt that this would never end well for either

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

he let himself believe, even for

be able to

thought alone

only to

"Please wake

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

a quiet sigh of

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

Qu

A slow smile tugged at her lips as

she

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

you don't want to stay

head. "I have a lot to do

up, acting as though his mind wasn't weighed down with a

walk

quick, casting her a look.

smile softened, ignoring his protest as she swung her legs off the

at each other in silence before he

he conceded. "I'll get my