Chapter 25: Stayover
Moana

The night was finally over. By the time we all returned to the banquet hall, many of the guests had left. Ella, following her territorial outburst in the garden, seemed to have completely exhausted herself and now slept soundly on my shoulder as I carried her.

“Oh, tired little thing,” Verona said in a hushed tone as she came up to us.

“We should get going.” Edrick’s voice was cold and stern; I could tell that he wasn’t particularly happy with me, although I wasn’t sure if it was because I was spending time with Ethan earlier that night or because I got involved with the two wolf pups. I wasn’t particularly happy with him, either — not after what he supposedly said to Kelly about me.

Verona frowned. “Stay the night,” she said. “There’s no need to drag a tired little girl home when we have plenty of space here. You can leave tomorrow, after breakfast.”

Edrick glanced over at Ella, then back to his mother and nodded reluctantly.

Verona showed us to our rooms. Ella’s was situated next to mine in a lower level of the house, while Edrick’s room was directly upstairs. After I put Ella to bed, I returned to my room and wondered if Edrick still expected me to fulfill our sleeping arrangement even though we were in his parents’ home. As I was wondering this, as if on cue, I received a text message from Edrick asking when I would be coming upstairs.

I let out a deep sigh, wishing that it wouldn’t have to be my responsibility for us not to get caught, before changing into the silk pajama set and slippers that Verona had laid out for me, which was incredibly kind of her. As I felt the cold, smooth silk on my skin, I wished that I could keep the pajama set.

Cracking open my door, I poked my head out of my room to make sure that the coast was clear before sneaking out. I took extra care to walk quietly as I made my way toward the stairs.

“Looking for something?” a familiar voice said from behind me.

see none other than Ethan standing in the hallway. He had a thick book tucked under his

I was just going to check on Ella,”

he could tell that I wasn’t being truthful,

“Goodnight.”

few moments in case he was still watching, and once I counted ten of her deep breaths

on the edge of the bed when I arrived. His shoes were placed neatly

you long enough,”

I replied as I walked over to the bed. I pulled the blankets back to get in, but just then, there was a knock

in,” Edrick called

and in came Verona. She was carrying a tray in her hand, and on it was a glass of milk and

as she walked over

shook his head.

and reached out to help Edrick take off his tie. “Well, darling, these pills should help you sleep. Has your insomnia improved at

a long pause before Edrick nodded. “Yes, actually.

small gasp. “Really?” she said.

made my heart race,

have that au pair to thank,” Verona said. I watched, stunned, as the old woman’s gaze flickered over to where the blankets were pulled down on my side of the bed. Did she

the door and started to

Ella is a relief for you, and that’s why you’re sleeping better,” she called over her shoulder. Her hand lingered on the doorknob for a moment; I swore that

mom,” Edrick said, breaking his mother’s gaze away

replied before leaving

Edrick calmly stood and moved the tray of milk and pills over to the dresser, then began to unbutton his shirt

asked suddenly, taking me by surprise. “Those two boys are known

bed and taking my slippers off. “I don’t know. I just had a sincere talk with them. I think

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