bSean /bmust have noticed that Charlotte felt a little uneasy around him, because he said, me know. I’m going upstairs to take a shower.”

“Wait a second.”

Sean paused mid–step and turned back to her. “What is It?”

ke a look around and see if you need anything Let

can you get

get this tested? I think something might be

Charlotte unzipped her backpack, pulled out a bottle of milk, and handed it to him. b“/bbSean/b, can y wrong with

His eyes darkened. “Someone tried to harm you?”

Charlotte’s expression grew serious as she nodded. “I think so. I’m not sure, but I’d rather be careful.”

“Got it. Leave it to meb./bb” /b

Sean took out his phone and made a call “Come to the hotel. I have something for you to handle.”

Then he walked off, disappearing around the corner.

Charlotte lot out a breath, her body finally rxing

Just moments bago/b, when she handed him the milk, she had identally locked eyes with him. His gaze was deep and unreadable, and for a split secondb, /bshe swore her heart stopped.

His eyes were beautiful.

No–not just his eyes. His entire face was a masterpiece, like something sculpted by the gods themselves. Staring at him too long made her heart race.

After Sean left, Charlotte took in the suite.

It was clear someone actually lived here. Personal belongings were bscattered /bthroughout the space, and it didn’t feel like ba /btemporary stay at

ball /b

That was odd.

This wasn’t a standard hotel:

1 room Sean bhad /bbooked on a whim. It looked like he stayed here often.

But wasn’t he supposed to be living In Jersey City?

Charlotte shook boff /bthe thought. It wasn’t really her business.

??

She took her suitcase to the bbedroom /band only then realized she had forgotten to pack slippers for the shower.

Just as she debated whether to ask Sean, the doorbell rang

When she bopened /bthe door, a hotel staff member stood there holding a tray in one hand and a shopping bag in the otherb. /bb“/bbGood /bevening. Miss. I have a delivery for Mr. Jasper.”

Charlotte btook /bthe items. Thank you.”

b“/bbYou’re /bwee.”

After closing the bdoor/bb, /bshe blooked /bdown at the warm milk on the tray

Sean drank wara milk before bed too? That was unexpected.

She ced the bss /bbon /bthe table and opened the bag. Inside were ba /bbbrand/b–new pair of women’s slippers, two neatly wrapped towels, and a set of travel–sized toiletries.

They were for her.

Warmth spread in her chest. Sean was

bas /bmore thoughtful than she remembered,

“bDid /beverything arrive?” His voice came from the bstairs/b.

Charlotte turned to him. “bYeah/b, it’s all here. Thanks, Sean.”

bTheir /beyes met, and for ba /bmoment, something felt different.

He wasn’t just the older brother figure who used to tutor her anymore.

Now, he was also her fanc

“The milk is for you,” Sean said.

“Huh?” She blinked “I thought it was for byou/b.”

“I bdon’t /bhave that habit. Drink bup/bb./bb” /b

He walked to the doorb, /bwhere his assistant was already waiting.

b“/bbTake /bthis for testing.” Sean instructed.

“Understood, Mr. Jasper.”

When he turned back, he caught Charlotte watching him.

Her eyes were round and bright, brimming with curiosity–like a small, adorable animal.

Something light as a feather brushed against Sean’s heart, leaving behind a warmth he didn’t quite understand.

Without thinkingb, /bbhe /bwalked over and ruffled her hair. His touch was soft and affectionate, just like when they were kids.

“Get some rest,” he bsaid/b. “What time should I wake you up tomorrow?

“Ten in the morning.” Charlotte tilted her head up at him.

A small trace of milk clung to her lips, stark bwhite /bagainst the soft pink–a sight that hit bhim /bharder than it should have.

Sean’s gaze darkened slightly. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, forcing himself to look away.

“Sleep early. Good night.”

Before she bcould /breply, he tumed and headed upstairs.

Charlotte,pletely unaware of the shift in his mood, lowered her eyes and took another slow bsip /bof milk

The next moming, before the rm even had a chance to go off, Sean knocked on Charlotte’s door.

“Lottie, time to wake up.”

Charlotte blinked bawake /bband /breached under her pillow for her phone.

9:59 am

Right on the dot.

By the time she finished freshening up, breakfast was already on the table–chicken bbroth /bwith poached eggs and ba /bside of btoast/b.

bShe /bsat down, unwrapped the disposable utensilsb, /band took a sip of the broth. Her eyes lit up. b“/bThis tastes just like the ce near myw firm.”

Sitting across from her, Sean didn’t even look up. He gave a t, indifferent “Mm.”

Charlotte hesitated. What was that bsupposed /bto mean?

bShe /btook another bite. The taste was identical to the one she always ate.

bShe /blooked up at him.suspiciously. “Did you get this from that shop behind my office?”

Charlotte bwas /bbaffled. “How do you even know about that ce?”

That restaurant was at least six miles from here. Why would Seam go that far just to buy breakfast?

Seeing that there was no way around it, bSean /bfinally admitted, “I came to Harbor City to see you before.”

Charlotte froze.

He came to see me?

273

She had no idea

She was so caught off guard that she choked on her food. “Cough, cough—b” /b

Sean immediately passed her a napkin. “Slow downb./bb” /b

She wiped her mouth and stared at him. “When? I never knew,”

“The first year you left. The second year. And this year.” His voice was calm and matter–of–fact.

Charlotte felt like all the blood in her body rushed to her head.

Sean hade to see her every year? bAnd /bnever once told her?

No wonder the suite fromst night didn’t feel like a temporary stay. He must havee more often than she realized.

Something stirred in her chest, making her heartbeat go wild.

She forced herself to snap out of it and quickly changed the subject. “Thanks, Sean. Breakfast is amazing.”

Sean noticed the slight flush creeping up her ears but chose not to mention it.

Instead, he smiled casually and said, “By the way, I know a restoration expert. She’s worked on museum artifacts before. She might be able to help.”

“Really?”

?Charlotte’s head shot up, her eyes full of hope.

He nodded. “Once bwe’re /bback in Jersey bCity/b, I’ll take you to see her.”

“Okay!”

Charlotte had spent the whole night feeling awful, but Sean’s words lifted a weight off her chest.

For some reason, she just believed him.

If he said this expert was the bestb, /bthen she had no doubt her ceramic figurine could be restored.

This moming had been an emotional rollercoaster for Charlotte

Sean had surprised her too many times today.

Now, bshe /bcouldn’t help but wonder–what else was he hiding?