Her husband’s warmth
A faint smile graced his lips as he pushed open the front door. When Shawn entered, the house was enveloped in silence, and the lounge bathed in dim light. “She must have retired to bed,” he surmised, feeling a subtle pang of disappointment.
He sighed, fatigue pressing upon him as he made to ascend the stairs. Yet, just as he approached the staircase, his steps faltered. He turned to the side and spotted a frail figure curled up on the couch. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the Little One.
Why was she there? He moved closer to the couch, his tall frame looming over her as he observed her in silence.
Right at that moment, Madam Susan entered the lounge and took in the scene. She instantly grasped what was going through the Young Master’s mind. “Madam insisted on waiting for you here and refused to retire upstairs to sleep…”
Without her needing to say more, Shawn already understood. A warm feeling swelled within him.
“Thank you, Madam Susan. It’s late; you should retire for the night,” he replied, his gaze never leaving the girl.
Shawn knew that everyone else had already gone to bed, and Madam Susan had stayed up because of Little One.
“Good night, Young Master,” the woman curtsied and left.
After hearing the door close behind Madam Susan, Shawn continued to gaze at Mia with tender eyes and a peculiar sensation coursing through his veins.
After some time, he bent down and gently lifted her into his arms. He carried her upstairs and into her room, but just as he was about to place her on the bed, he hesitated. The next moment, he bore her back out of the room.
Shawn opened the door to his own room and quietly closed it behind him with his foot. Tenderly, he settled her on the bed and began to tuck her in. Just as he was about to go undress and take a shower, her eyes squinted open.
Upon seeing him, she murmured softly, “You’re back.”
“Mmn,” he replied nasally.
“Go back to sleep,” he whispered as he stroked her hair, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Mia’s eyes soon closed again, and it didn’t take long before she drifted back to sleep.
Shawn quietly made his way into his walk-in closet and removed his clothes. Afterward, he headed straight to the bathroom for a warm shower.
Once he finished, he cautiously proceeded to his study to work, ensuring not to disturb the slumbering Little One.
—–
The Thompson Family Residence
Arnold Thompson, in a glorious mood after the revival of XY Company, enjoyed himself to the fullest at Old Master Mandez’s birthday party. Though he didn’t know how the company had rebounded so quickly, he felt grateful for the miraculous turnaround.
Upon returning home with his wife and daughter, Arnold engaged in light conversation with them in the living room before retiring to bed. Despite his excitement, exhaustion weighed heavily on him, and his body hadn’t fully recovered.
“Good night, Honey. I’ll join you soon,” Barbara said, smiling as she watched her husband ascend the stairs. She fell silent, listening attentively. When she heard his bedroom door open and then close, she drew nearer to her daughter.NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.
Babara had been observing her daughter closely ever since they left the party. Her beautiful daughter couldn’t help but wear a constant smile, occasionally blushing as she clutched a suit tightly to her chest. She was eager to find out what it wa-who it was-that was making her act in that manner, though she had a suspicion…
“Spill the beans, darling,” She encouraged, her fingers caressing Vivian’s cheek.
Vivian’s cheeks tinged with a soft pink at this and her lashes fluttered shyly as she glanced at her mother.
Barbara was grinning eagerly from ear-to-ear. “Talk to Mom.”
Vivian hesitated for a moment before holding up the suit to her mother’s face. “H-he gave this to me.”
Barbara’s eyes widened, and she peered knowingly into her daughter’s eyes. Vivian nodded, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Barbara covered her mouth, suppressing her excitement. “How did that happen?”
“I accidentally spilled some wine on myself, and he…” Vivian’s voice trailed off as she lowered her gaze, smiling sweetly, but Barbara understood where she was going.
Oh, this smart daughter of hers! And there she was thinking that Vivian wouldn’t be able to get anything done. Never in her wildest imagination did she think that she would make that huge amount of progress. Not only did she catch Shawn Mandez’s eye, she even got His suit! That was indeed really huge. The woman beamed with pride.
Barbara couldn’t help but be proud of her smart daughter. “That’s great news. You know how to proceed, right?”
Vivian met her mother’s gaze and nodded, stroking the suit in her hand with utmost care.
Barbara felt relieved and confident in her daughter’s abilities. Now, all she had to do was relax and watch the girl do wonders. It was only the first step that night and she had made such a huge success. She was sure Vivian would do even better henceforth. So, she needn’t worry herself. “Good.”
Just then, Vivian’s mind trailed off somewhere and a shadow of unhappiness passed over her features. “Mom, are you sure Mia is alright? We haven’t heard anything from her for some time now, shouldn’t we look for her? What if she’s in trouble?”
Upon hearing her words, her mother couldn’t help but roll her eyes in disapproval. “What spell did that wench use on you to…” Her words trailed off.
Shaking her head, she stood up on her feet. “I’m going to bed, good night.”
Vivian sprung to her feet and hurriedly followed her mother, clutching the suit in her hand as if it were her lifeline, as she whined.
From the kitchen doorway, Madam Grace silently stepped out, Madam Grace quietly stepped out of where she had been standing for the past couple of minutes, and watched the mother and daughter ascend the stairs, her face expressionless.
‘What schemes is that woman plotting now?’ She wondered.
She had clearly eavesdropped on their conversation and was aware that Barbara was onto something terrible. To think she had now begun to involve her daughter in those dubious acts left Madam Grace sighing wearily. If only May were still here…
Her thoughts drifted to Mia, and her heart ached for the poor girl.
On the day Barbara had sold Mia to the Andrew Family, Madam Grace had been sent on an errand by Barbara herself. Only after her return did she learn of the sinister plot that had transpired, thanks to her most trusted maid, Mellie. The news had devastated Madam Grace to the point of tears. How could Mia’s fate have been sealed in such a cruel manner?
A couple of days later, Mellie informed her that Mia had miraculously escaped from the Andrew Family. Madam Grace was slightly relieved to hear that news. However, now, after hearing Vivian’s words, it seemed Mia was missing again.
Only the heavens knew where Mia was and how she was faring. Madam Grace could only pray for divine guidance and protection for the motherless child.
—–
When the CEO returned to the bedroom, it was already 2 AM the following day. He quietly slipped into bed beside his wife.
In her slumber, Mia sensed an unfamiliar warmth beside her, which oddly comforted her. She furrowed her brow and scooted closer to this newfound warmth.
Shawn tensed up as their bodies made contact, and Mia continued to shift, unintentionally brushing against his lower region. His body reacted, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.
Letting her sleep there had been a mistake; he shouldn’t have allowed it. Regret washed over him.
Mia didn’t cease her movements until she had nestled comfortably in the embrace of the warmth. Content, a gentle smile graced her lips.
Noticing that she had stilled, Shawn slowly exhaled and relaxed his muscles. He gazed down at her delicate form, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips. Tenderly, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer. He then planted a kiss on her hair.
As he held his wife in the darkness, all his worries dissolved into nothingness. Slowly, he closed his eyes, surrendering to the serenity of the moment.