Chapter 12
“Audrey?’ Caspar’s voice seemed to come from very far away.
I tried to respond but found my lips wouldn’t move, my limbs felt heavy as lead. Black spots spread across my vision, and the world seemed to be moving
away from me.
‘I’m fine…” I mumbled, but before I could finish the sentence, another stronger wave of dizziness hit.
I felt my knees buckle, and my body began falling forward uncontrollably.
Before I completely lost consciousness, I vaguely felt a pair of strong arms catch my falling body.
When I opened my eyes, Caspar Thornton’s face was inches from mine, and I was half–lying in his arms. Our bodies were pressed together, close enough to
feel each other’s breath.
I blinked, consciousness gradually returning. Suddenly realizing my situation, I immediately struggled to push him away and tried to stand up.
“Easy there, his voice was quiet, “you just fainted. Take it slow.”
I took a deep breath and slowly steadied myself against the wall: “Thanks, I’m okay now. Just low blood sugar–I didn’t eat anything this morning.”
Caspar’s brow furrowed: “No breakfast?”
I avoided his gaze: “I was in too much of a rush today.”
He studied me silently, then suddenly asked.
“Why do you run away like a scared rabbit every time you see me? Relax a bit–I’m not as difficult as the rumors make me out to be.”
I nodded reluctantly, then suddenly noticed Noah standing not far away, having witnessed our entire interaction.
He suddenly turned and ran off, disappearing into another part of the gallery.
My heart sank as I watched his small figure retreat.
Mrs. Smith’s warning from earlier echoed in my mind with painful clarity.
“Audrey, I have to remind you not to have any improper thoughts.” she’d said, lowering her voice.
“The previous art teacher, Vanessa Brown, had been using the boy to get close to his father while simultaneously manipulating Noah emotionally. The poor child ran away and was missing for half a day.”
“What do you mean?” I’d asked, alarmed.
“She started telling Noah she would be his new mother soon. And she threatened him, told him if he didn’t behave exactly as she wanted, she’d convince his father to send him away. Can you imagine saying that to a child already struggling with selective mutism?”
“When Mr. Thornton discovered what she’d been doing, he not only fired her, but also severely impacted her family.”
1/2
3:03 pm P M
Chapter 12
The memory made me feel physically ill.
“Noah!” I called out, wanting to chase after him, but Caspar caught my arm.
‘You just fainted, don’t do strenuous exercise.”
I remembered my low blood sugar episode and nodded, walking anxiously in the direction Noah had disappeared,
When I returned to the studio, Noah was already sitting in his spot, head down, seemingly fiddling with something.
I walked over and crouched down to his eye level.
“Noah, what happened earlier was just an accident,” I explained softly. “I just didn’t sleep well and skipped breakfast I had low blood sugar. I absolutely did not throw myself at your dad.”
Noah looked up, his big grape–like eyes staring directly at me.
Then, to my surprise, he reached into his desk and pulled out a small packet of crackers, seriously offering them to me.
“Eat, his voice was soft but firm.
I was stunned, completely unprepared for this reason.
Noah glanced at my frozen expression, then gently took the packet back.
With careful movements, he opened it for me and held out the crackers again, his eyes meeting mine with quiet determination.
I gratefully accepted the crackers. “Thank you, Noah.”
Once he was satisfied that I was actually eating, he seemed relieved and pulled out a carton of milk from his backpack, offering it to me.
I was about to thank him again when Noah suddenly looked up, his pure eyes carrying unprecedented seriousness.
“Can Miss Lane become my new mommy?”
The question hit me like lightning, leaving me completely speechless.
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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.
