Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 235
The day before the marriage proposal came—
Adeline was enjoying a leisurely holiday morning.
Holidays, as a rule, meant staying in bed even after the sun had risen, half-asleep and basking in the cozy stillness.
As the sunlight tickled her eyelids, she rolled onto her side, her cheek pressing against the soft pillowcase.
In the early summer morning, though the sunlight was warm, the breeze was still cool. Such a pleasant morning would soon become rare as the days grew hotter. Determined to enjoy it, Adeline resolved to stay in bed until at least noon.
As she turned over, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
A large hand spread flat over her chest and stomach, pulling her closer until her soft hips met the firm body behind her. Warm breath brushed against the top of her head.
Adeline smiled unconsciously, turning her upper body to look back.
Although his eyes were closed, feigning sleep, the way he pressed himself against her gave him away—he was clearly awake.
She lightly nibbled on his sharp jawline, careful not to hurt him, and teased,
“Are you being clingy?”
“Don’t move away from me, Adeline.”
Stretching his neck, he kissed her lightly on her slightly dry lips, the sound of it faint but affectionate.
When he opened his eyes, abandoning the pretense of sleep, Adeline kissed his cheekbone in return. Shane lay back against the pillow, prompting Adeline to climb onto him entirely, lying flush against him.
His bare torso was firm and warm beneath her.
For all his muscular build, Shane’s skin was surprisingly soft, though slightly dry from his lack of sweat. His body temperature was higher than hers, radiating comforting warmth.
Adeline worried for a moment whether the weight pressing against his abdomen might be uncomfortable, but Shane didn’t seem to mind at all. His expression was peaceful, like someone still groggy from sleep.
Resting her chin on his chest playfully, Adeline grumbled,
“I just rolled over. It’s not like I actually moved far away.”
She had barely shifted to the middle of the bed, maybe thirty centimeters away at most.
“But you weren’t within arm’s reach.”
“This bed is huge—can’t I stretch out a little?”
Their bed was massive, large enough to fit at least five grown men lying side by side. And yet, he still clung to her as if the bed was far too small.
“No. I tend to get lonely.”
Shane chuckled and ran his large hand through her tousled hair, threading his fingers gently to untangle it. He carefully stroked her ear and the space behind it, making Adeline scrunch her shoulders and frown slightly.
“Lonely, my foot. You just like touching me.”
“That too. But you know I can’t sleep without you.”
His teasing tone was playful, his fingers deliberately brushing her sensitive spots. Though he had the serene face of a saint, he could be infuriatingly mischievous.
After being worn out to the point of collapse the night before, Adeline had no intention of letting her relaxing holiday morning turn into another exhausting ordeal. A proper holiday morning should be spent indulging in lazy tranquility, not sweating it out.
When she tilted her head slightly to dodge his hand, he shifted his attention to kneading the back of her neck instead.
Adeline opened her mouth to glare at him, but her words faltered as her lips quivered in defeat.
How could he look at her like that?
The way Shane’s eyes gazed at her made it feel like there was a mixture of sand and blood swirling inside her chest.
How could she even describe it? He looked at her as though she were the most beautiful, precious thing in existence.
‘Even though I’m not nearly that great…’
What must he see when he looks at her with such warmth in his gaze?
Adeline muttered in frustration,
“I’ve already had your child. Where could I possibly go now?”
“You could leave me, but you wouldn’t leave the child?”
“I mean, isn’t it time for you to feel at ease now?”
Shane shook his head with a faintly petulant expression.
“Your charm lies in how you always keep me on edge, Adeline.”
