Elle’s POV
The captain’s finger traced along my lower lip, then lifted my chin gently. His voice was warm, almost tender. “I like how you look today. So beautiful
I felt my cheeks flush again because he smiled beneath that damn mask.
“My lovely little beauty,” he murmured, I look forward to your performance.” Before I could protest or demand answers, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “Goodbye.”
Then he released me and turned away, his figure straight and elegant as he disappeared down the hallway.
I stood there like an idiot, my fingers automatically moving to touch the spot where his lips had been. The kiss felt so familiar, filled with a warmth that seemed to seep into my very bones. It was the kind of gentle, protective gesture that made my heart race and my mind spin.
No. Absolutely not.
I shook my head firmly, trying to dispel the crazy thoughts creeping in. There was no way this captain was Brad. Brad was cold, aloof, perfectly controlled. He would never engage in this kind of behavior. This whole mysterious masked captain thing was way too theatrical for someone like Brad Rayne.
But that kiss…
Fuck, I was going to drive myself insane. The logical part of my brain was screaming that I was being ridiculous, while some deeper instinct kept insisting that something about this captain felt like home.
I pressed my palm against my five–month belly, feeling the baby shift slightly. Even the little one seemed more active than usual, as if responding to my
emotional turmoil.
By the time I snapped back to reality, the captain was long gone. I had no choice but to return to the dining hall, trying to compose myself and hoping my
face wasn’t as red as it felt.
The moment I walked into the dining hall, I knew I was in trouble. Susan, Sophia, Abigail, Malcolni, and even the two assistants were all staring at me. I self–consciously touched my forehead, worried there might be some visible evidence of what had just happened.
“Elle, Malcolm said with a concerned frown, “why are you so flushed? Are you feeling hot?”
My cheeks burned even hotter. The captain had stood way too close, his presence overwhelming in that narrow hallway, “Maybe I’m just a bit warm,‘ I said with an awkward laugh. “You know how it is with pregnant women we’re always overheating.”
–
To deflect attention from my obvious discomfort, I quickly added, “Hey, should we start getting dinner ready?‘
That seemed to do the trick. Everyone immediately busied themselves with dinner préparations, and soon we had a wonderful spread laid out across our
table.
–
Our group of seven me, Susan, Sophia, Abigail, Malcolm, and the two assistants – definitely had the largest table and the liveliest atmosphere. We were attracting curious glances from other groups, but I didn’t mind. It felt good to be surrounded by people who cared about me.
“Here, sweetie, Susan said, ladling soup into my bowl. “Drink this first, then eat. It’s better for your stomach.”
1/3
16:54 Tue, Dec 23
Chapter 202
“Aw, Susan treats Elle so well,” Sophia said with exaggerated sweetness, batting her eyelashes. I’m so jealous. Susan laughed and served her soup too, adding, ‘You should eat less bread and more soup if you want to stay in shape.”
Abigail grimaced. “Watching Sophia act cute is giving me secondhand embarrassment.
‘Same, I agreed, making Sophia pout dramatically.
Susan turned to Abigail next, filling her bowl. “You need to eat more, dear. You’re too thin.”
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for. Sophia leaned forward with a mischievous grin. ‘Susan, what’s Malcolm’s excuse for needing soup?”
Susan’s face turned bright red as she avoided eye contact, ladling soup into Malcolm’s bowl without explanation. The entire table erupted in laughter, and I
felt a warm glow of happiness. This was what having a caring mother felt like being fussed over, worried about, loved unconditionally.
I was halfway through my soup when I looked up and froze. Lester Harrison was standing in the dining hall doorway, staring at Sophia.
I nudged Sophia with my elbow, nodding toward the entrance.
Sophia followed my gaze and her expression immediately hardened. She shook her head firmly. “There’s nothing left to say between us. The moment he
chose Mira, he should have understood that I was never going to stay by his side.”
I felt a stab of guilt. “Sophia, you don’t have to do this for me-”
“This isn’t just about you,” she interrupted, her voice steady and sure. “It’s about respect. For myself. The moment Lester trapped me in that supply closet, I knew we weren’t right for each other. He never listens to what anyone else has to say. Everything is always his way, his decision, his feelings that matter.”
Abigail nodded approvingly. “You see the situation very clearly.”
Sophia laughed, but there was no humor in it. “How stupid would I have to be to trust a man who can’t cut ties with Mira?”
The bitterness in her voice hit me like a slap. I stared at her, feeling a uncomfortable recognition creep over me. Wasn’t I doing exactly the same thing? Holding onto hope for a man who had complicated history with Mira, knowing our situation might be hopeless, yet still clinging to some foolish dream that
love could conquer everything?
My head started to ache. I didn’t want to think about this anymore.
Looking at Lester’s pitiful expression across the room, I felt conflicted. Part of me thought he wasn’t entirely evil – there seemed to be genuine remorse in his posture. But then I remembered how he’d physically restrained Sophia, and my sympathy evaporated.
‘I’m going to finish eating and get out of here,” Sophia announced, efficiently polishing off her meal. “I don’t want this drama affecting everyone’s dinner.” She stood up gracefully, “You guys, keep an eye on Elle for me.”
As expected, the moment Sophia left, Lester immediately followed her out.
‘Serves him right to suffer,” Abigail muttered.
I sighed, watching them go. “The problem is, when you torture someone else, you’re usually torturing yourself too.”
Malcolm, who had been quietly observing this whole exchange, suddenly spoke up. “Love should be mutual and willing. When there are too many complications and impurities, it becomes very difficult to sustain. Unless both people are committed to clearing out those impurities together, they’ll eventually poison the relationship and destroy trust,”
2/3
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
