"Ariana, don''t put so much pressure on yourself. You''re an amazing mother.


    "By the way, the hospital called. We can take Tabitha to pick up her report tomorrow, and she can start her treatment immediately.


    "I think that the hospital environment might feel stifling for her, so I arranged for the therapy team toe to our home instead."


    I looked up at him, my voice choked with emotion. "Thank you. You''ve thought of everything."


    Nichs sighed and sat beside me. "She''s my daughter too. What are you thanking me for?" He put an arm around my shoulder, his warm palm gently rubbing in silentfort.


    ...


    The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I was startled to find myself staring at Nichs'' face.


    I blinked and opened my eyes again, only to see the same scene the stubble on his face was so clear I could almost count the individual hairs.


    Startled, I bolted upright in bed, pulling the nket off him and exposing his well-defined chest, which rose and fell rhythmically with his breathing.


    Panicking, I quickly looked down to check my own clothes. Seeing everything was intact, I let out a heavy sigh of relief.


    Frustrated, I lightly knocked my own head. I couldn''t even remember how I ended up asleep in the studyst night. We were just talking, but at some point, I must have fallen asleep. Suddenly, arge hand slid around my waist. Nichs'' voice, low and husky with a teasing lilt, came from behind me.


    "What''s wrong? Regret that nothing happened between us?"


    His grip tightened, and I lost my bnce, falling back onto the bed. In one swift motion, he flipped over and pinned me beneath him. His long eyshes, like soft, feathery fans, caught the sunlight and glimmered above me.


    Startled, I pushed against his shoulders, but he didn''t budge. Instead, he leaned down, making me shut my eyes in a panic.


    A low chuckle and the warmth of his breath followed, though I couldn''t tell which came first. I heard him murmur, "If you regret it, we could do something now... it''s not toodate."


    As he spoke, his hand moved toward the first button on my sleepwear.


    "Stop..." I pressed down on his hand, my mind a mess.


    There were so many unresolved issues between us-udia, Nelson, Tabitha, Cory-each of them should take precedence over anything between me and Nichs. If I forced myself to be with him now,


    everything would spiral into chaos.


    Nichs caught my hand and leaned his nose against mine, grinning as he said, "Good morning, darling."


    Goosebumps ran up my arms, and I turned away, feeling awkward. "Who''s your darling?"


    His eyes dimmed briefly, but he quickly adjusted, knowing there was no use rushing things.


    "Whoever that slept next to mest night is my darling," he quipped with a cheeky smile.


    I forced an awkward smile. "You could''ve carried me back to Tabitha''s room."


    "And risk waking up my daughter?" Nichs said with such seriousness, as though his decision had been entirely for Tabitha''s sake, with no ulterior motives whatsoever. "I don''t want to argue with you," I grumbled, pushing him away and trying to get up.


    But he refused to let go, holding onto me tightly. However, upon seeing my stern expression, he reluctantly released me but not before nting a kiss on my forehead.


    Sitting up at the edge of the bed, I felt a thinyer of sweat forming on my body from his teasing. "You go out first. I need to use the bathroom in this room."


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