Chapter 196
Chapter 190
སཱ ཏ 77%
I nodded and settled into one of the plush waiting room chairs, idly flipping through a magazine about wolf pup development. The medical
center was quiet this morning, with only a few other patients scattered throughout the lobby.
“Tori p>
I looked up to find Susan Shepherd seated in a wheelchair beside me, a small pharmacy bag resting in her lap. She looked elegant as always, her dark hair pulled back in a simple style, though there was a weariness around her eyes that spoke of old sorrows.
Alarm shot through me as I quickly stood. “Ms. Shepherd, are you alright? Are you ill p>
“Oh, no, nothing like that.” Susan’s smile faltered for a moment, surprise fckering across her features at my concern.
Then something shifted in her expression-a softening, a warmth that seemed to catch her off guard.
She gestured to the pharmacy bag. “I’m just here picking up some burn ointment for Charlotte p>
Relief washed over me. “Thank God you’re alright p>
There was a brief pause, and Susan seemed to be studying me with an odd expression. Her hands fidgeted slightly with the pharmacy bag in her lap.
Finally, she seemed to come to a decision.
“Tori,” she began, her voice softer now, almost hesitant, “You see, I’m having a personal art exhibition soon.” She paused, her gaze searching my face as if looking for something. “I would be glad if you would attend. It’s next Friday evening at the Moonlight Gallery p>
My eyes widened in surprise and delight. ‘Really? I-I would love to! I dont know much about art, but I’d be honored to come p>
I’d sensed a certain distance in Susan during our previous encounters-a careful reserve that kept people at arm’s length. I liked her, admired her quiet strength, but I’d assumed that wall would always be there. To receive a personal invitation from her felt unexpectedly special.
“Great,” Susan’s smile grew warmer.
But before I could analyze it further, she glanced at her watch.
“I should go-Charlotte will be wondering what’s taking so long p>
She left before I could respond, and I stood there feeling oddly touched.
‘Ready p>
I turned to find Lucas approaching, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp. He must have seen Susan leaving.
“All set,” I said, unable to contain my smile. “You’ll never guess who I just an into p>
His hand settled on the small of my back as he guided me toward the exit Susan Shepherd p>
“How did you-1 shook my head. “Of course you saw. Lucas, she invited me to her art exhibition! Next Friday at the Moonlight Gallery. Isn’t
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10:21 Wed, Feb 25 MOB.
Chapter 190
that wonderful p>
$.77 p>
Something flickered across his face-so quickly I almost missed it.
“That’s great.” He answered absentmindedly.
The drive back to the estate was quiet. Lucas’s jaw was set, his eyes fixed on the road with unusual intensity. Through our bond, I could feel a complex tangle of emotions.
When we pulled through the estate gates, he helped me out of the car with his usual attentiveness.
Inside, he guided me to the living room and sat beside me on the couch, his hand finding mine. “Tori,” he said carefully, “how do you feel about
Susan Shepherd p>
The question surprised me. “I… I like her. She seems kind. Sad, but kind.
I paused, trying to articulate the feeling that had been nagging at me since our brief encounter. “There’s something about her that feels… I
don’t know how to explain it. Familiar? Like there’s some kind of connection, even though we barely know each other p>
Lucas’s expression tightened almost imperceptibly. His thumb traced patterns on my hand, a gesture I’d learned meant he was thinking
carefully about his words.
“Lucas?” I said softly, a thread of worry creeping into my voice. His reaction was making me nervous. “Is something wrong? Do you not want
me to go to the exhibition p>
“It’s not that.” He was silent for a long moment, his blue eyes studying my face with an intensity that made my heart race. “Tori, I need you to
know something p>
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