Chapter 76

A flicker of surprise flashed across Anthony’s eyes as he turned toward Charlotte.
He’d designed the lock on his bedroom door himself. Even top tech experts would have a hard time with it, but Charlotte had it open in less than five seconds.
That was definitely something.
“Charlotte?” he called softly.
His gaze landed on her face. She looked completely out of it, her expression empty and dazed. Anthony’s eyebrows pulled together. She looked just like she did that night when she wandered outside in her sleep.
“Charlotte he tried again.
She didn’t respond at all. Her pretty lips were pressed into a straight, unreadable line as she walked inside, acting as if he wasn’t even there.
He was almost certain now—she was sleepwalking again.
Anthony followed her quietly into the room, keeping a careful distance as he watched her.
Charlotte’s skin was porcelain pale, and the pink pajamas made her look even softer, almost heartbreakingly sweet. Tonight, none of her usual icy defenses were there. She just looked lost.
She wandered aimlessly around the room for a moment, then finally stopped in the corner and squatted down, hugging her knees and curling up into a little ball.
Was she… pretending to be a tiny tree or something?
Anthony couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He walked over and crouched down in front of her, his voice gentle. “Do you want me to take you back to your room so you can sleep?”
Charlotte kept staring blankly at the floor, her eyes dull and lifeless.
He’d read up on sleepwalking before. Sometimes it ran in families, sometimes it was triggered by stress, trauma, or illness. He remembered hearing that she’d been sent away for treatment because of some mental health issues and violent outbursts.
The sight of her all curled up like that made Anthony’s chest tighten. He reached out and gently took her hand. “Don’t be scared. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Maybe it was the touch, maybe the words, but something shifted. Charlotte slowly lifted her head
There was still no light in her eyes, but now there a of red like washi she was fighting back tears.
That look—so fragile and hurt—stabbed straight through Anthony. He remembered
the night in the garden when she’d held onto him just like this, desperate for comfort.
What had she been through?
While he was still trying to figure it out, Charlotte suddenly stood up and tugged him forward, leading him straight to the big bed.
She sat down and clung to his hand, refusing to let go, pulling him closer and closer.
Anthony hesitated. He reached out
and gently brushed her messy hair away from her forehead. “Do you know what you’re doing right now His voice was soft but a little helpless.
When she was sleepwalking, she was like a completely different person.
Charlotte didn’t seem to hear him at all. She just tugged again, a bit more insistently this time.
When Anthony still didn’t move, she pouted and slipped onto the bed, her delicate fingers gliding up his arm.
“Lottie
Before he could say anything else, she crawled up beside him and curled right into his arms, just like a little kitten seeking warmth.
Her scent filled his senses, light and sweet. Even through the thin fabric of her pajamas, Anthony could feel her warmth, the steady thump of her heartbeat.
Before he knew it, she’d grabbed his hand, tangled their fingers together, and nestled even closer, her whole body pressed up against him as if she couldn’t bear to let go.
Anthony’s eyes widened, his breath coming a little faster.
He looked down, planning to gently put some distance between them, but stopped when he saw her face—a look of pure fear and worry, her brow creased in distress. She was scared.
He was so used to her being cold and distant that seeing her this vulnerable was almost shocking The way she clung to him now, it was like she thought he was the only thing keeping her safe.