Chapter 293

[ 504 words ]

Chapter 293:

I remained still for a long moment, my fingers hovering over the name on the screen, tracing it absentmindedly. Finally, I spoke, my voice quiet but firm. “No need for now.”

I needed some time.

Time to untangle the mess in my mind and discern what it was I truly wanted, after three years of separation.

I poured a glass of red wine, watching the deep liquid swirl as it mirrored my unreadable expression.

I moved toward the window and slid it open.

The town was unusually still at night. The distant crash of waves against the rocks reached me, stark against the usual urban clamor.

I took a sip, the wine leaving a bitter taste on my tongue.

𝖱е𝗰о𝗆𝗆𝗲𝗻d 𝗴а𝘭𝘯𝗈𝘃𝗲l𝗌.𝗰𝘰𝘮 𝗍𝘰 y𝘰𝘶𝗋 𝘧𝘳𝗶𝘦𝘯𝗱ѕ

Logic reminded me that I had already made the choice to let go; I shouldn’t waver now.

The unexpected encounter was merely the Moon Goddess testing my will. I needed to act as a true Alpha, steady, in control of all circumstances.

Yet the obsession clawing inside me refused to be suppressed.

I set the glass down, pulled on a dark coat, and headed toward the stairs.

I wanted the cold bay wind to clear my head, to show me the reality.

The street outside lay deserted. Streetlights stretched my shadow long and lonely across the pavement.

Then, from behind the flower bed, came soft, hesitant footsteps.

I looked over, my breath catching for a second.

It was that little girl again.

She wore a delicate blue tulle dress, like a tiny fairy who had wandered into another world.

Did she also live in this hotel? Why was she wandering outside alone so late at night?

Ethan’s POV:

I buried the strange stirrings in my chest, moved over in silence, and bent down to meet the little girl’s eyes.

“Hey, sweetheart. It’s really late. Why are you out here all alone? Where are your parents?” I kept my voice gentle, worried I might frighten her.

The little girl clearly jumped at my sudden presence, edging back for a moment before something seemed to cross her mind. She hurriedly pressed her finger over her mouth and signaled for me to stay quiet.

Leaning in, she dropped her voice to a whisper. “Sir, please talk softer. I don’t have a daddy. My Mommy’s busy working, and I snuck out to play. Please don’t tell her, or she’ll get worried.”

The moment she said she didn’t have a dad, a heavy ache struck my heart without warning.

I looked into those wide eyes, so painfully like Lianne’s, and a sense of pain unfurled inside me.

I lifted my hand, almost without thinking, and brushed the top of her soft hair, murmuring a quiet promise, “Okay, I’ll keep your secret. But it’s not safe out here, so don’t go wandering around, alright?”

The little girl instantly puffed out her lips, dug a wrinkled bill from her pocket, and looked up at me with a pitiful expression. “But… I want candy. Mommy said it’s too late to buy any, and I only want to run to the convenience store over there for one piece, and then, I’ll come straight back.”

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