Chapter 20
Samuel glanced at the woman bring in his bed through the phone screen. After a moment of silence, he finally gave in and agreed.
Once Samuel left the room, the woman on his bed opened her eyes.
A short while later, Shirley spotted Samuel’s tigate. She stepped out of the car and stood a few feet away, gazing at him from a distance.
Neither of them moved closer, as though an unbridgeable chasm had separated them.
Shirley had died to the nines that evening, She was an embodiment of elegance, carrying herself with both regal poise and the youthful charm of a young maiden Samuel had always known the was stunning, but that night, his heart had no room for anyone but Sophia,
“Spook.”
umar) stood there, as composed and poised as always. Yet the tenderness and indulgence that used to color his gaze were no longer there. Shirley suddenly found herself at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally said, “I just came back from seeing Ben…”
H
She was off by a pained ery
To was Sophia. had fallen to the ground
Samuel’s face flashed with alarm as he turned and quicidy strode toward het. “Why are you put of bod? Where did you hurt yourself? Let me see
Sophia’s eyes were red–cirmed with tears. He delicate face was filled with fear, woke up and couldn’t find you, I was so scared. Promise me, Samuel. Promise that you’ll never leave again
Samuel patted her back soothingly. Pressing gentle kiss to her forehead, he muured, “Alright I promise,
With that, he scooped sophia up in his arms and walked briskly back toward the use. It wasn’t until Shirley called out to him that be remembered she was still standing there.
He stopped in his tracks. Just as he was about to turn, Sophia clutched at his shirt tighth. Her brown were knitting in pain, making her look heartbreakingly fragile. “Samuel, it hurts__ so
much-
Whatever patience Samuel had left evaporated. Turning back to Shirley, he said with his tone sharp with irritation, “What exactly do you want to say?
Shirley’s lips parted, but no sound came out. Then, as steeling herself, she bot out a
Samuel frome for a moment, then smiled faintly “is that so? Congratulations.”
agh “Nothing I just wanted to let you know that I’m getting married tomorrow.”
He didn’t believe her, not for a second Tobam, it was just an excuse, a desperate attempt to cling to him. He knew he couldn’t afford to show her any softness. Otherwise, she’d start clinging to him again like before.
Ignoring the strange pang in his chest, Samuel carried Sophia inside without looking back
“Congratulations“. Congratulations
Shirley stood there, stiff and unmoving the turned her head to look at Brook, who had been sitting silently in the car. Her voice was hoarse, as though on the verge of collapse. “Did you hear than? He actually said congratulations to me.”
Brook felt a pang of guilt. He regretted bringing here. “Maybe he didn’t take your words sealously. Or maybe he just doesn’t believe yo
Tears slipped down Shirley’s cheek. She let out a bitter laugh. “Really!”
How much longer could she keep deceiving herself?
you.
At 10:25 pm, Shirley received a call from home. Megan had been returned safely. Apart from a few bruises, she was unturmed.
As soon as Shirley pepped out of the car, a stat rushed over with the sleeping baby in her arms.
Looking at Megan’s peaceful face, the weight clut had been pressing on Shley’s heart finally lifted.
That niga, Slagley stayed hung until late. By the time she went to bed, she realized frock had left without her norking
The disaggio exhaustion would allow her to sleep soundly after the sleepless night she’d endured Pat she couldn’t.
Au down appicarland, a new thought grippedler.liy matning, she would become Benjamin’s wife,
Hackel hadn’t been sleeping well these past few days, but now, she was finally resting peacefully.
Shiley carefully adjusted the blanket vi her, making sure she was snug and comfortable, Looking at Rachel’s adorable, rene face, Shitley couldn’t help but smile softly
couldn’t help but smile softly
