Sir, I Won

se Brodie had gifted her, her

developer, exuded luxury in every

t was the deed, which

ing while visiting clients, never ex

o appease her, she felt compelled

fresh ingredients and cooked h

napped a photo and sent it to Brodie with a caption.

quickly. "Great

though she couldn't tell if it stemmed from

ing, Brodie d

at night, he wa

ed work at six and

t show any dissatisfaction or urge him to return, even if he

social feed turned into a live

d Brodie patiently waited in t

odie embraced her tig

and welcome-bac

in the room for three minutes. Naturally, it was Ellen, a

se as if they had

nd photos that felt like veiled warnings, as if declaring, "The real p

got his promise

ioning it, "Through wind and rain, across thousand

off her phone, reheated the food, an

g the tender beef and sipping

ife should be-wasting her happi

eturn until the

ide, she played the role of the cari

eautiful, as if she had waited up all night

Brodie finally remembe

I..." he began, atte

full of concern. "You're ba

up yesterday, and I forgot

understand!" s

ame social media posts, and a

ther, childhood friends, and your families are close. Now that she's back fr

a few delibe

wrong?" Brodie a

ly just a little cold

of yourself. Let me ta

a minor thing. Some

d draped it over her shoulders, pulling he

frowned slightly, her expre

carried a mix of unfamiliar tobacco, perf

uch of vulnerability show. "Brodie, if you

ing a brave smile. "Don't worry, I won't cling to yo

rip on her arm, his voice urgent. "I

e, I like you-no, I love you! As long a

need you?" he said, as if reassuring himself. "Besides,

u so much, how could I e

ir usual affection, and

r tenderly, lingering as if to e

last night, drank heavily, and now this-had

e. She playfully tapped his chest. "Alright,

ke me now?" Brodie

face. "Yes, I tota

close to whisper, "Just wait

The moment the door closed, Izabella's smile

ckly-how much more could she ga