Chapter 224
Chapter 224:
But her earlier words echoed in his mind: she wanted to stay at the Shaw Mansion for now.
With a quiet sigh, Austin slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. If that was what made her happy, then that was where he would take her.
The black Maybach glided silently through the gates of the Shaw Mansion, setting off the courtyard’s motion-sensor lights one by one until the whole drive glowed softly.
The side door, left open by Vivien, seemed to be waiting for them. Austin carried Brinley inside, his footsteps muffled against the polished floor. The rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock echoed through the hushed house.
“Mr. Moore, Mr. Brandon Shaw is still at the company—” the night watch servant began, but Austin’s sharp look cut him off mid-sentence.
𝘙о𝗆aո𝘤𝘦 𝗮n𝖽 𝗉a𝘴𝗌𝗂𝘰n 𝘰ո.с𝘰𝗺
Without a word, Austin nodded and strode toward the staircase.
Halfway down the hallway, he caught sight of Felix leaning out of his bedroom door, looking suspiciously like he’d been spying. Their gazes locked, and Felix nearly dropped his phone.
When he saw Brinley cradled in Austin’s arms, Felix ducked back into his room, shutting the door just enough to feign compliance. The pale glow of his phone screen still spilled through the crack, betraying his nosy curiosity.
A faint smile touched Austin’s lips at Felix’s childish antics.
He carried Brinley into the bedroom with practiced ease, laying her gently on the soft mattress. Dropping to one knee, he slid off her shoes one by one and set them neatly aside.
His fingers moved to the buttons of her coat. The silk dress slipped down against the bedspread, revealing the delicate lace lingerie beneath.
A muscle worked in his jaw as he swallowed hard, forcing himself to look away before retreating to the bathroom for a warm towel.
When the towel brushed her palm, Brinley’s fingers twitched in response. The moment it touched her cheek, she frowned in protest and murmured, “Austin… stop it p>
He chuckled softly, coaxing her with warm patience. “Just a little longer, sweetheart. I’m almost done p>
Once he finished, Austin tucked the blanket snugly around her and smoothed it flat, his touch lingering for a moment. Then he bent down and brushed a tender kiss against her forehead. “Goodnight, Brinley p>
Austin lingered by the bed, his gaze soft, watching until her breathing settled into a slow, even rhythm. Only then did he turn away.
At the doorway, he hesitated, glancing back one last time. Moonlight spilled across her face, casting her in a serenity so fragile it made his chest tighten. Then he gently closed the door.
The next morning, Felix trudged downstairs, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. He noticed his father standing in the entryway, shoulders heavy, as if he had been carrying the weight of the night on his back.
Brandon stripped off his suit jacket and handed it to the servant without a word.
For a man usually so upright, the slight curve in his back was jarring. The red veins in his eyes and the gray at his temples seemed sharper than usual.
“Dad?” Felix stiffened, caught off guard. “You’re just getting home now p>
Brandon had worked late plenty of times before, but never through the night.
Felix hurried forward, catching his father’s arm as if afraid he might collapse. “You look terrible. What happened p>