Nichs still hadn''te back to the bedroom at midnight. This was normal, but I had something I needed to discuss with him tonight. I nned to go abroad, and there was no way to hide it from him. The entire vi was dark, and the study lights were turned off as well. I ""Nichs?" I called out. However, there was no response.


    In the moonlight, I saw adder that had been knocked over near the bookshelf. With a few books scattered on the floor, the study''s interior resembled a strange mix of order and chaos.


    Nichs was slumped over the desk, dozing off. Hisshes fluttered constantly, indicating his restless sleep. I walked over and gently nudged him.


    "Nichs, go back to bed."


    Opening his eyes, he focused on my face with a dazed expression.


    "Why are you here?" he rasped.


    "Aren''t you done with work yet? You can finish tomorrow. It''s time to sleep."


    I had thought udia was demanding his attention every night, but it turned out she was out partying until dawn. He, on the other hand, was left alone and could only fall asleep at his desk, with no one concerned about him.


    Still yet to regain his consciousness, Nichs felt disoriented. He sighed and pulled me close to him. "Where am I supposed to sleep?"


    ""In the bedroom," I said,


    His stiff, short hair scratched my skin through my pajamas, and it felt both painful and ticklish. Clutching the sleeves of my nightgown, I tensed up.


    Things had been cold between us for a while. We had both been too busy, and it felt like it had been a long time since we flirted with ease.


    "I don''t want to go back," he mumbled,


    His face was buried against my chest, his hot breath heating my skin and making my heart race. I hadn''t worn a bra since I was getting ready for bed.


    I struggled to pull away, but I


    spotted the disappointment in his


    eyes when he nced up at me. He looked as if I had somehow


    wronged him, and it instantly sent a


    wave of frustrational


    me.


    swno wy


    Ignoring his will, I took his hand and yanked him up from the chair. He cooperated and followed me out of the study.


    I


    As I held his hand, I felt a deep


    indentation in his palm, probably from gripping a pen in his sleep.. Instinctively rubbed it with my thumb. Only after I did it did Drealize what I was doing!


    to


    I quickly tried to pull my hand away, but he held it tighter. To ease the awkwardness, I asked, "How did the


    bookshelf fall over?"N?velDrama.Org content.


    "I knocked it over by ident."


    I


    I remembered the time I had fallen off the bookshelf while looking for a book. Nichs had thought I was trying topete with udia for his attention back then.


    "It''s not very safe," I replied absently. "Tomorrow I''ll have someone install a motorized one with a track at the top."


    Nichs didn''t say anything else. When we reached the bedroom, heid me down on the bed and tucked me in before turning to leave.


    I was surprised. He didn''t want to sleep with me. He was already by the door when I called out to him. He didn''t even turn around.


    "If I sleep in the same room with you, I won''t be able to control myself, and then you''ll have to take the medicine again."


    Ariana never wanted his child.


    Nichs often wondered if he would


    be left in solitude after his father


    passed. He would have no family, no wife, and no child-he thought this was cruel.


    I never expected that to be the reason, but it was good that he could control himself. "Don''t go. I have something I need to discuss with you.