Chapter 60
the
eye. Instead, she threw out a
After finishing the bed, Melissa felt her inexplicable fluttering calm down. Even so, she didn’t dare look Bradley in t quick. “Get some rest,” and fled the bedroom.
Melissa thought back to her past. Even when she and Hugh had been on the verge of marriage, the most they had shared was a modest, fully clothed hug.
And that kind of hug felt worlds apart from Bradley’s brief closeness
If anything. Hugh’s touch had always sparked a strange aversion in her, an instinctive resistance to anything more. But Bradley’s casual proximity had stirred an entirely different reaction. That was a kind of bashful shyness Melissa couldn’t quite define
Melisa knew perfectly well that falling for someone like Bradley, with his untouchable air of privilege, was impossible. Yet how was she supposed to explain this racing heartbeath
As she settled at the small table on the balcony with her laptop, Melius concluded after some reflection
Melissa thought. I’ve never been truly loved, never genuinely cared for. But in less than a month, Bradley has pulled me out of trouble multiple
dimes.
He has found me a lawyer, given me a place to stay, handled my daily problems, and even left a meal for me:
These matters, which seemed trivial to Bradley, were major life events for Melissa in extreme situations.
Melissa understood that her subconscious gratitude toward him might easily morph into affection. That explained why her heart raced whenever he got too close.
Finally at ease with her thoughts, Melissa exhaled a soft sigh and focused on her design work.
When her alarm rang at five, Melissa stood to prepare dinner. Only then did she realize that Bradley and Curtis were already awake. The two of them were quietly reading in the living room.
Bradley was sitting on the couch with Curtis nestled in his lap. They were looking at
glance up with a question. Bradley would answer patiently, his voice deliberately Picture book together. And now and then, Curtis would
Melissa stood on the balcony for a moment, caught in a daze. She had often imagined Curtis having a complete family, one where he could have a father who played with him and showed him the world.
Curtis, unaware of the complexities of adult relationships, probably felt pure happiness having both “parents” with him today.
A soft smile crept onto Melissa’s face as she turned toward the kitchen silently
was hovering near her. “Go tell your dad it’s
Melissa placed a simple spread of three dishes and a soup on the table, then locked down at Curtis,
, who was time to cat,” she said.
Curtis trotted off happily, calling out. “Daddy, Mommy says it’s time for dinner”
Bradley rose leisurely from the couch, guiding Curtis to wash his hands. When they returned, Melissa was setting the table, unrying her apron as she smiled. “Dinner’s ready
For a moment, Bradley froze. After his parents tragic accident, the atmosphere at home had grown unbearably heavy
When his sister passed away later, his grandma, Jennifer, moved to the mountains to heal. That left Bradley alone in the sprawling Moore estate.
The house, despite its many staff, always felt empty. It had been years since Bradley had experienced this kind of familial warmth.
Bradley took a seat across from Melissa, who naturally placed a bowl of soup ip–front of him. “Have some soup first,” she said before turning her
It was Clam Chowder, something Bradley typically avoided. Yet, he drank it down to the last drop.
Au–unladden dinught surfaced as Bradley sipped: the woman he couldn’t forget. “If this soup has been served by her instead.. how perfect will that
- | seant to build a life, a furnily, with her; he thought.
“Does the food suit your taste?” Melissa asked suddenly, smiling sweetly as she looked at him
Bradley gave her cooking silent praise in his mind but maintained his indifferent exterior. “It’s fine,” he replied flatly.
Melissa hesitated, then spoke cautiously. “I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor”
