Chapter15
Charlotte Wynn had no idea what kind of storm was unraveling back home.
All she felt was a strange shift in her heart, subtle and slow, as Logan Westwood continued to stay
by her side day after day.
The villa had smart temperature control, warm and comfortable no matter how much she moved
around during the day.
But at night, under the covers, she always felt overheated and restless, and she’d developed the
habit of kicking off her blanket.
Ever since she coughed once in front of Logan, he’d added something new to his nightly routine:
after finishing work each evening, he would quietly come into her room to tuck her in.
His fingers were always slightly cool, just enough to chase away the heat from her skin.
Unconsciously, she’d inch closer to that faint chill in her sleep, completely unaware of what she
was doing.
Until one night, while half–asleep, she found herself nuzzling his fingertips like it was the most
natural thing in the world.
She didn’t pull away, instead, she pressed her cheek against him, letting the coolness soothe her
flushed skin.
Only then did it hit her, how strange the gesture really was.
Logan’s cooking was exceptional.
Aside from their regular meals, he was always baking, mini cakes, little cookies, always
experimenting, always giving her something sweet to nibble on.
One night, she’d overeaten and woke up in the middle of the night looking for some digestive
tablets, only to turn around and find Logan standing at the door, lips pressed tight, eyes full of guilt.
He thought he’d made her sicker by not taking care of her properly.
Seeing that look on his face, Charlotte felt more than just guilt, there was a strange flutter of joy, a
quiet pride, even… a trace of tenderness.
It was getting weirder by the day.
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Her condition was mostly under control, but the flare–ups still came.
Once, while she was soaking in the tub, her limbs suddenly stiffened. She couldn’t move and had to
call Logan in.
Watching his shirt get soaked through by the water dripping from her body, she felt something
flare up in her, something hot and illogical.
She was mad at him.
Mad that he’d seen her completely exposed and wasn’t the least bit flustered.
Those three “strange feelings” made Charlotte press her palms to her burning cheeks, knowing
something wasn’t right with her… but Logan, as always, acted like nothing had changed.
He took her hand like he always did, only letting go after making sure she was bundled up properly.
“The doctor said light walks help loosen the stiffness.”
So he walked with her, slowly along the lakeside path.
From time to time, passersby would stop to admire her beauty, some even teasing that they looked
like a couple straight out of a romance film.
Even the little kids joined in, blonde–haired, blue–eyed children swirling around her, tossing
compliments like flower petals.
Charlotte watched them giggle and run off, then caught sight of a man in a low–brimmed hat pulling bills from his overstuffed bag to hand out like candy.
She finally couldn’t take it anymore.
With a polite smile aimed at Logan, she said, “Smiling is polite… but it can also be a warning. The way you’re handing out cash, are you trying to become Santa’s intern?”
Logan chuckled, his eyes soft and crescent–shaped, like she was the only thing he could see.
“Well, at least you seem happy hearing all that.”
He paused, then added meaningfully, “And that makes me happy too.”
Remembering the strangers calling them a couple, Charlotte’s face grew hot.
She quickened her pace into a light jog, not wanting to deal with this clearly manipulative man.
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The air was crisp with the scent of melting snow, and as she ran, she couldn’t help laughing.
She had to admit, being praised by so many people… it felt pretty nice.
Logan caught up quickly and grabbed her hand again.
Sensing her fingers tense up, he started to lift her into his arms.
But she stopped him. “I want a piggyback ride.”
So Charlotte wrapped her arms around his neck, cheek brushing gently against his jaw as he carried
her back home.
“When I didn’t want to walk before,” she murmured casually, “Julian used to give me piggyback
rides.”
She didn’t think much of it. “Now I’ve got you.”
Logan’s voice drifted to her with the breeze, soft and almost unreal.
“For so many years, I wished I could be the one carrying you.‘
“But when I saw you getting closer and closer to Julian, I told myself that watching from afar would
have to be enough. That’s why I left the country. I figured… if I didn’t see it, I wouldn’t feel like the
universe was unfair.”
“But now… now I’m unbelievably grateful. That fate gave me this chance, to be here with you, to
walk all the roads I used to envy, only this time… beside you.”
Back when he was just the older “brother,” all he could do was quietly pack her schoolbag,
watching her bounce away toward someone else.
Kids always dream of distant places.
But now, Charlotte thought… the road home didn’t seem so bad after all.
And the person waiting there?
Even better.
She quickly kissed his cheek.
When he froze, she dropped her head on his shoulder, giggling to herself.
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Just as she was about to say something, his voice, gentle yet unwavering, cut through her thoughts.
“Something like that… should be my move.”
There was no more hesitation in his tone. Just quiet sincerity.
“Charlotte, I love you.”
“I think I knew, even back when I first felt the urge to reach out and touch the tip of your ponytail,
that you were different.”
“So… would you let me take one step closer? Into your heart?”
Charlotte paused, pretending to think, feeling the way his back tensed under her arms.
Then she broke into laughter.
And in the wind, her voice rang clear and certain,
“I will, Logan Westwood.”
