Griffin eagerly grabbed Elodie''s backpack for her, ready to lend a hand.


    Adler chimed in, "Heading out already? Why not stick around a bit longer? There''s plenty of room here, and Sophie and Colby wouldn''t mind at all."


    Elodie shook her head with a smile, "We''ve got a ce to crash, and since this is their new home, it''s best not to intrude tonight."


    With that, she and Griffin started making their way to the door.


    Reece stood up too, "Looks like it''s time for me to bounce as well. Got an early start with a shoot tomorrow."


    "Guess it''s our cue to leave too," Julian and Booker agreed as they got up.


    Harold nodded, "The Aldridge family has a ton on my te waiting for me. I''ll pass on staying over tonight, but let''s catch up soon."


    Odie nudged Jonah, "Time to roll."


    Adler and Jenna watched as everyone started filing out, momentarily caught off guard. Jenna was the first to recover, "Oh right, don''t we have ns tomorrow? Let''s get moving."


    "A date? Since when?" Adler asked, mid-sentence as Jenna pulled him to his feet.


    As Jenna tugged him outside, Adler pointed back at his jacket draped over the chair, "Jenna! My jacket!"


    "Forget the jacket! I''ll get you another er."


    With everyone gone, the living room felt quiet with just Sophie and Colby left behind.


    "I''ll handle cleaning up. You must be beat, go ahead and rest. I''ve got this," Colby offered. "Colby!" Sophie suddenly clutched his sleeve.


    He nced down, concern flickering in his eyes, "What''s up? Are you hurting?"


    "I..."


    Facing Colby, Sophie hesitated, unable to voice the doubts swirling in her heart. Finally, she managed a small smile, "Yeah... the wound is a bit sore."


    "I''ll grab some ointment."


    Without another word, Colby gently scooped Sophie up and carried her upstairs. "Colby, I can walk, you know."


    "With me around, you don''t need to worry about stairs."


    Sophie chuckled, "Who doesn''t use stairs?"


    Colbyid her gently onto their bed, fetching bandages and ointment from the medicine box in the corner. Under the soft glow of themp, his profile caught Sophie''s gaze


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    wnN?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    His features were striking-sharp brows, deep eyes. Right now, I


    entirely on her wound,velin


    Sophie asked softly, "Colby, do you love me?"


    It wasn''t often Sophie asked Colby this.


    But Colby always showed her through his actions.


    He loved her with every fiber of his being.


    "Why the sudden question, silly?"


    His voice was gentle, "I love you, and I''ll say it as many times as you need to hear."


    "Look me in the eyes and say it, ''I love you.""


    Sophie cradled his face in her hands.


    Colby smiled, his eyes twinkling with warmth, "I love you."


    Hearing this, Sophie''s eyes shimmered slightly.


    Colby held her hand, nting a soft kiss on her palm, "I, Colby, love Sophie not just this lifetime, but in


    the next, and the one after th


    always love Sophie."


    "What if... you''re just pulling my leg?"


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