Chapter 960



Belinda’s lips parted as if to speak, then closed again. After a moment of internal debate, she finally said, “Could you… could you stay until I fall asleep?”

She couldn’t quite explain it, but something about the stillness of the night unsettled her. She didn’t want to be alone.

At her quiet request, Lucas’ eyes lit up, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

He quickly replied, “Of course.”

Belinda averted her gaze, suddenly feeling shy.

Meanwhile, Lucas was genuinely happy. He believed Belinda was starting to rely on him, and that realization filled him with a sense of warmth.

As soon as Belinda settled into bed, Lucas positioned himself at the edge.

“Need me to hold your hand?” Lucas teased, arching a brow.

Belinda rolled her eyes.

“No, thanks.”

A quiet chuckle escaped Lucas, his tone gentle.

“Alright. Just get some rest.”

Belinda’s eyelids fluttered shut.

Perhaps it was because of the lingering effects of the alcohol or the quiet reassurance of Lucas’ presence, but Belinda soon slipped into slumber.

As her breaths became slow and rhythmic, a faint glint flickered in Lucas’ eyes.

He extended a hand and gently pulled a few strands of her hair free. In her sleep, a slight crease formed between Belinda’s brows, though it faded just as quickly.

Lucas looked at the hair in his palm, his gaze turning deep.

Some truths were best confirmed rather than left to the mercy of wild speculation. Lucas knew that Belinda was paralyzed by uncertainty, unable to make a decision for fear of what the outcome might reveal. He chose not to burden her with the truth just yet—he would wait until the results were in before telling her.

After carefully putting the strands of hair away, Lucas reached out and clasped Belinda’s hand, a deep sense of calm settling within him.

The following day, the shrill chime of Belinda’s alarm stirred her from slumber. Groggily, she blinked her eyes open and reached for her phone, only to realize that her hand was restrained. Turning her head in confusion, she was startled to find Lucas still there. He was seated at the edge of her bed, her hand enveloped in his, his head resting lightly on his arm. Had he truly spent the entire night like this?

Belinda’s gaze flickered with complexity, a tangle of emotions stirring within her chest. The relentless sound of the alarm soon roused Lucas from his sleep. He met Belinda’s gaze, and a lazy, teasing smirk played at his lips.

“Good morning, Belinda.”

His voice, still thick with sleep, carried a husky, seductive quality that made Belinda’s heart flutter for a moment. Belinda cleared her throat and awkwardly withdrew her hand from his grasp before asking, “Why didn’t you go home last night?”

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