Chapter 21
Evening brought a sudden downpour.
Sophie was brewing coffee in the kitchen when thunder rumbled outside, raindrops pelting against the windows.
She had just closed the windows when urgent knocking came from the front door.
“Who is it?” She opened the door to find Ryan standing outside, soaked to the bone, clutching something tightly in his arms.
“Come in quickly!” She quickly stepped aside to let him enter.
Ryan hurried inside and carefully lifted his jacket–a thin white kitten was curled up in his arms, shivering.
“Found it at the alley entrance, almost got swept away by the water,” his voice was low with evident concern.
Sophie immediately grabbed a towel and gently wrapped the kitten. “Let’s dry it off first, I’ll get the hair dryer.”
She turned to leave, but Ryan caught her wrist.
“Your hair is wet too,” he frowned, reaching up to brush rainwater from her shoulder.
They were extremely close now. Sophie could smell the faint scent of rain on him, mixed with a hint of crisp pine.
Her heartbeat skipped, and she instinctively stepped back half a pace.
Ryan withdrew his hand, clearing his throat softly. “Let’s take care of the cat first.”
“Mm.” She lowered her head, her earlobes slightly warm.
Sophie sat on the living room carpet, gently stroking the kitten’s head.
It had fallen asleep, its tiny body rising and falling with each breath.
Ryan came over with two cups of warm milk, handing her one. “Not sleeping yet?”
“I’ll keep it company a little longer.” She accepted the milk, her fingertips warming at the contact.
Ryan sat down beside her. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke: “Elena.”
“What is it?”
“If someday…” He paused, his voice very soft, “you wanted to start a new relationship, what kind of person would you consider?”
Sophie was stunned and turned to look at him.
Moonlight streamed through the window, falling across Ryan’s profile:
He still wore that gentle smile, but his eyes held undisguised intense emotion.
11:26
Stand–In Bride’s Escape: No More Chains, Only Freedom
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Chapter 21
Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she hastily looked away. “I… I haven’t thought about it.”
Ryan smiled without pressing further.
They sat quietly together, only the kitten’s soft purring echoing in the room.
Sophie crouched in the corner of the courtyard, holding a small piece of fish in her hand, carefully feeding the white kitten.
The kitten ate eagerly, occasionally nuzzling her fingers with its head and purring contentedly.
She couldn’t help but laugh softly, gently tapping its nose with her fingertip.
“Ryan, don’t you think it’s gotten a bit fatter?” She asked without turning around, assuming it was Ryan approaching.
There was no response behind her, only the rustling sound of wind through leaves.
Sophie frowned slightly. Just as she was about to turn around, someone suddenly embraced her from behind.
A familiar scent instantly enveloped her–cold cedar mixed with a hint of tobacco, Elliot’s scent.
Her body went rigid.
“I finally found you…” Elliot’s voice whispered in her ear, low and hoarse, with unmistakable trembling.
F
#
His arms tightened around her waist, as if afraid she might vanish the next second.
Sophie’s breathing caught, then she calmed down, her voice ice cold: “Let go.”
Not only did Elliot not release her, he held her even tighter, as if trying to meld her into his very bones: “Sophie, do you know how long I’ve been searching for you? I searched all of Coastal Town, even sent people abroad… How could you just disappear like this?”
“Elliot Sinclair,” she called him by his full name, her tone devoid of any emotion, “let me go.”
“I won’t!” His voice suddenly rose, carrying a hint of uncontrolled anger. “What right do you have to leave? What right to disappear without a word? Do you know that I—”
Before he could finish, a figure suddenly charged from the side, landing a solid punch on Elliot’s face.
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