Chapter 218
I snapped my head up, meeting his smiling eyes.}
In that moment, the afternoon sun streaming through the window suddenly became blinding, making Scott was still pressing, “Uncle Sebastian, what are you working hard for?”
Sebastian released my hand and ruffled the child’s hair with a smile,
As he said this, his gaze lingered on me, setting my heart racing.
be your perfect parent.“>
feel dizzy.”
After Scott’s birthday party, the children were picked up by their parents one by one and the room finally quieted down.
I stood in the kitchen washing cake plates, the water rinsing my fingertips, but it couldn’t wash away Sebastian’s words, “I’ll work hard,” from my mind.
“Need any help?“}
His deep voice suddenly came from behind me. My hand jolted and the porcelain plate nearly slipped into
Sebastian had somehow appeared behind me, so close I could smell the scent of cedar on him.
“No, I’m almost done,” I mumbled, lowering my head to continue rinsing
He didn’t leave but leaned against the counter, quietly watching me.§
Jone, making his
e plates, my heart pounding uncontrollably.
The warm kitchen light fell on his brow bone, making his eyes seem particularly deep.
“Carolyn,” he suddenly spoke, his voice very soft, yet it made me freeze. “There’s something I want to tell you.”
I turned off the faucet, dried my hands and turned to face him.
His gaze was so earnest that I unconsciously held my breath.
“I’ve actually liked you since high school.”
I froze; my mind went completely blank.
“Back then, you sat in front of me, always with your hair in a ponytail. When you bent your head to do your homework, your hair would brush my desk.“}
He smiled, his eyes gentle as if travelling through time. “The thing I looked forward ask me to borrow an eraser.“}
to
Fragments of memory suddenly fell into place. That quiet, reserved boy who’d instantly lower his eyes, the tips every time I glanced back.
most every day was watching you
turn around to
his ears
turning pink,
“Later, you transferred schools. I searched for you for so long… until I finally ran into you by chance in the university library.” His voice grew quieter. “But by then, you were already with Kai Lockwood.”
My heart clenched, as if squeezed by an invisible hand.}
So, all those years, without my knowing, someone had been watching me like that.
“All these years, I’ve wondered if things would have been different if I had been braver back then,” he shook his head gently, laughing at himself. “But I’m not saying this now to make you feel burdened.”
He took a step forward, his fingertips carefully touching the back of my hand, as if afraid of disturbing a dream.
“Carolyn, I like you, but I don’t want you to accept me out of gratitude or because you feel you owe me something.” His voice was soft, but every word was clear. “I hope you’ll be willing to try with me because you like me.”
My eyes suddenly felt hot.”
This man, who had waited for so long, still put the choice entirely in my hands.
Silence hung heavy in the air. I stared down at my fingers, flashes of the past six months playing in my mind. His patience helping Scott through rehab, the warm milk he still brought me after late nights at work, the unmistakable tenderness in his eyes every time he looked at me.}
“I… “I took a deep breath and met his gaze. “I don’t know if I can fall for someone quickly, but… I’m willing to try.”
The moment the words left my lips, Sebastian’s eyes lit up.
