CHAPTER 106: DON’T EVER LEAVE

"Stay here..." Evelyn frowned, almost sulking as her gaze shifted between them. "You too..."

"It’s okay, Mom. I feel bad bringing her here and then sending Aurora back alone..." Daisy tried to sound considerate, but inside she was cursing herself. ’To hell if I’m sleeping in the same bed with that man again.’

"It’s fine. I’ll send her back."

The voice cut in smoothly. Liam, who had been leaning casually against the wall, finally stepped forward, his sharp eyes watching the push-and-pull play out. "It is okay, right, Miss Williams?" His tone was polite, but the way his words lingered felt like a subtle challenge.

Daisy quickly hooked her arm through Aurora’s, leaning close to whisper, "No, don’t. I don’t want to stay here... help me."

Aurora’s laugh came out awkward, caught between nerves and confusion, especially with both Evelyn and Liam’s gazes pinned on her. "Uh... I—I..."

"Give me your parents’ number then." Evelyn’s voice cut through, her expression turning just a little more serious. "I’ll call them myself and ask for permission."

Aurora froze, her fingers fumbling with the strap of her bag. "M-my parents...?" she echoed weakly, clearly panicking under Evelyn’s steady gaze.

"Yes." Evelyn’s tone softened, but it carried an authority that left little room to wriggle out. "If it’s really a matter of permission, then let’s settle it properly."

Daisy tightened her grip on Aurora’s arm, her voice dropping into a frantic whisper. "Don’t... don’t... Please. If you do, I’m stuck."

Aurora darted a look between the two of them. Liam’s expression was unreadable, though the faintest curve tugged at his lips, like he was enjoying the show far too much. Evelyn, on the other hand, looked calm but determined.

"I... I don’t think that’s necessary," Aurora stammered at last, forcing a wobbly smile. "My parents trust me. They know I’m safe with Daisy, so..."

Evelyn raised a brow, clearly unconvinced. "Still... give me the phone number and let me call, to tell them you are going to sleep here tonight."

Evelyn raised a brow, unimpressed. "Still... give me the phone number and let me call, to tell them you are going to sleep here tonight."

Aurora froze, her lips parting as if to argue, but Evelyn’s steady gaze left her no escape. With a defeated sigh, Aurora pulled out her phone and dialed.

Daisy’s nails dug into her own palm, silently begging her friend not to, but a moment later, Evelyn’s calm voice floated into the air as she took the phone.

"Yes, Mrs. Williams, this is Evelyn, Theo’s mother... Yes, Aurora will be here tonight. We’ll make sure she’s comfortable."

Aurora fidgeted while Evelyn handed the phone back. "Your mother’s fine with it. She even thanked me for looking after you."

Daisy’s stomach sank. There went her last hope.

"Go and have a rest, let’s talk about all the preparations again tomorrow." Evelyn smiled warmly and then shifted her focus to Aurora. "Let me show you the room..."

"It’s okay, I can show her..." Liam said, his expression completely flat, though who knew what was on his mind.

Evelyn was starting to turn when Daisy stopped her. "Mom!"

"What is it?" Evelyn arched her brows.

"Err, since I couldn’t visit you the other day when you were at the hospital and there’s a lot to catch up on, do you want to talk with me a little more?"

Evelyn blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before softening into a smile. "Of course, dear. I’d love that."

Aurora gave Daisy a quick, uncertain glance, clearly sensing the undercurrent but saying nothing.

"I’ll take her," Liam said again, his tone calm but oddly insistent as he gestured toward Aurora.

Aurora hesitated, then nodded, clutching her bag tighter as if it were some kind of shield. She followed him down the hall, casting one last glance back at Daisy.

The moment they were gone, Evelyn settled onto the sofa, patting the spot beside her. "Now then, what is it that’s troubling you?"

Daisy sat down slowly, her heart pounding. She hadn’t exactly thought this through. All she knew was that she needed to avoid Theo through the night today.

"Nothing... I just missed you," Daisy said, forcing a smile that felt tight around the edges.

Evelyn studied her for a long moment, her sharp eyes far too knowing. "Missed me, hmm? That’s sweet."

But Daisy’s plan didn’t turn out as she’d hoped. She had no idea how much Evelyn loved to talk, and before she knew it, she’d been listening for nearly two hours, until she dozed off on the sofa without realizing.

"That’s great, you’re still awake." Evelyn rose to her feet, smiling when Theo appeared in front of the sofa. "She fell asleep while we were talking. I guess my story was boring..." She giggled, always trying to lighten the mood between her and Theo.

Theo didn’t respond. He simply leaned down to lift Daisy, but Evelyn gently held his arm. "Can you give me some time... tomorrow, or any day you’re free? Just for a little while. Ten minutes is all I ask."

Theo gave her a long, sidelong glance. "Let me think," he said before proceeding to scoop Daisy up into his arms.

What he didn’t realize was that those three words ’let me think’ were enough to make Evelyn’s heart bloom with hope.

Daisy stirred slightly in his arms as he carried her upstairs, but when the familiar scent of his perfume reached her, she froze. Her lashes fluttered once, then stilled, and she quickly forced herself to keep still. She knew that scent too well—it was him.

So instead of opening her eyes, she buried her face a little closer against his chest, feigning sleep. Maybe it was cowardly, but right now, no way was she going to let him know she was awake. Not after their argument, not when she still considered him as her enemy.

So she stayed still, breathing evenly, pretending to be sound asleep. If she faced him now, she wasn’t sure if they’d end up arguing again or if she’d end up betraying herself in some other way.

Theo gently lowered her onto the bed, careful not to wake her. His hands lingered for a moment at her shoulders as he adjusted the blanket over her.

For a split second, he just stood there, watching her. Suddenly, leaning closer, his voice dropping low, almost as if he were talking to himself.

"I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here... Don’t ever leave me like that again."