Chapter 101
Audrey’s POV:
Edward’s eyes widened, mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find an appropriate response.
“Miss Lane, I don’t think I can possibly allow- he began, but was interrupted by the soft chime of his phone.
Edward glanced down at the screen, his expression shifting from concern to something unreadable.
After a moment of consideration, he looked back at me with a slight nod.
“I suppose… it might do the young master some good to get fresh air, Edward said carefully.
“But he must be returned before dinner.”
“Thank you, Edward,‘ I said, grateful for his trust. “I promise 111 take good care of him.”
Edward nodded, the worry lines around his eyes softening slightly.
“I know you will, Miss Lane.”
I approached Noah slowly, noticing how his eyes had already brightened when he’d overheard me asking to take him away.
His small body remained turned from me, but there was a new alertness in his posture–a spark of hope replacing the defeated slump of
his shoulders.
Kneeling beside his small form, I spoke gently.
“Noah, would you like to come with me today? We could spend some time together, just you and me.”
Noah turned to face me then, his dark eyes meeting mine. Then he gave a small, deliberate nod.
‘Great,‘ I smiled, extending my hand. “Let’s go on an adventure.
My heart squeezed in my chest as I lifted him, feeling his small body curl trustingly against mine.
He was lighter than I expected, his arms wrapping around my neck as he nestled his head against my shoulder.
Edward watched us with a mixture of concern and relief as I carried Noah out to my car.
I paused before stepping outside.
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Chapter 101
‘I promise I’ll bring him back safe and sound, Edward,” I said quietly, meeting his eyes. “You won’t get in trouble for this.”
Edward’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and a small smile appeared on his face.
“Thank you, Miss Lane. I trust you completely with Noah. I hope you both have a wonderful time together.”
I nodded, grateful for his faith in me.
“We’ll be back before dinner, I assured him once more before carrying Noah out to my car.
Once we reached my apartment, my first priority was making sure Noah wouldn’t be recognized if we went out again.
“We need to be very careful,” I explained as I set him down in my living room.
“No one can know you’re Noah Thornton today. You’ll need a disguise.”
I rummaged through my art supplies, pulling out stage makeup, a baseball cap, and some colorful scarves.
“How about we turn you into someone completely different?” I suggested, arranging the items on my coffee table.
‘Would you like that?”
Noah nodded again, a flicker of curiosity replacing some of the sadness in his eyes.
Twenty minutes later, Noah was transformed.
I’d used stage makeup to give him rosy cheeks, freckles, and a different eye shape.
The baseball cap covered his distinctive hair, but the pièce de résistance was the adorable tiger costume.
The orange and black striped hoodie had little ears on top, matching pants, and even a tail that hung down the back.
Noah stood before me, completely outfitted as a tiny tiger, yet his expression remained characteristically solemn and dignified–those serious eyes looking out from beneath the tiger–eared hood.
My heart nearly burst at the sight.
The contrast between his grave little face and the utterly adorable tiger outfit was almost too much to bear.
I couldn’t contain myself.
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Chapter 101
A burst of delighted laughter escaped me as I clapped my hands together.
“Oh my goodness, Noah! You are the most adorable little tiger I’ve ever seen!” I exclaimed, my eyes crinkling with genuine joy.
“You look absolutely perfect! I love it!”
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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.
