Chapter 63
The moment Cole spotted the little girl in Nora’s arms, his face tensed with worry. He strode forward with urgency, his sharp eyes scanning Abby’s damp clothes and trembling hands.
“Abby,” he breathed, kneeling down to her level. “Are you okay?”
The little girl sniffled but nodded. Her wet eyelashes clumped together, and she clung to Nora’s sleeve, hesitant to let go.
“She fell into the hot spring,” Nora explained calmly. “I pulled her out right away. She was scared, but
she’s fine now.”
Cole exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. His jaw, which had been tight with anxiety, loosened as relief swept over him. He turned to Nora, his gaze filled with something unspoken–gratitude, perhaps, or maybe something else.
“Thank you,” he said simply, but the sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. “She’s not usually this careless.”
Nora gave a small smile. “Curiosity gets the best of children.”
Cole nodded, then turned his attention back to Abby. “Let’s get you changed, okay?”
Abby nodded again, this time more eagerly, but even as Cole scooped her up, she cast a longing glance back at Nora.
Later, after changing Abby into dry clothes, Cole brought her to the dining area where Nora sat sipping warm tea. The scent of fresh bread and herbal steam filled the air.
As soon as Abby saw Nora, she hesitated for a brief second, then tugged at Cole’s sleeve. “Uncle… I want to
sit with Auntie.”
Cole raised a brow. “Auntie?” he repeated, glancing at Nora with mild amusement.
Nora chuckled. “I guess I’ve been promoted.”
Abby, small and shy, climbed onto the chair beside Nora, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
“She doesn’t usually warm up to people this fast,” Cole murmured, watching the interaction with quiet curiosity.
Nora tilted her head. “Really?”
Chapter 63
Cole nodded. “She’s usually very cautious around strangers.”
But Abby didn’t seem cautious at all now. She rested her head lightly against Nora’s arm, a soft sign of
trust.
Nora ran her fingers through the little girl’s slightly damp curls. “Maybe she just likes me.”
Cole hummed, still observing.
guest room, Cole’s
Later, as they returned to the phone buzzed. He frowned at the screen, then let out a quiet sigh.
“I need to take this,” he muttered.
He crouched down, gently setting Abby down. Tll be back in a few minutes.”
But as soon as he stepped away, Abby’s big brown eyes darted to Nora, and she reached out her hands.
“Auntie, hold me,” she whispered.
Nora hesitated for a brief moment before giving in, picking her up and holding her close. Abby snuggled
st her, playing with the edge of Nora’s soft bathrobe.
Time passed peacefully as they sat together. Abby’s tiny hands played with the fabric absently, her sleepy eyes blinking slowly.
Then, without warning, she tugged–just a little too hard.
The loose knot of Nora’s robe unraveled.
The soft fabric slipped from her shoulders, and before she could react, she felt the cool air against her
skin.
For a second, time froze.
Cole had just stepped back into the room. His gaze lifted from his phone–just in time to see Nora’s white lace lingerie revealed beneath the open bathrobe.
The contrast of the delicate fabric against her flawless, snow–white skin made him freeze in place. His eyes darkened, his fingers tightening around the phone in his hand.
Then, realizing what he was doing, he swiftly turned away, his jaw clenched.
Nora gasped softly, hurriedly pulling the robe back into place. Her face burned with heat, though whether from embarrassment or something else, she couldn’t say.
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Chapter 63
A heavy silence settled between them.
Cole was the first to break it. “Sorry.” His voice was low, slightly rough.
Nora straightened her robe, her hands slightly unsteady. “It’s fine,” she said, but her voice wasn’t as natural as she hoped it would be.
Abby, realizing what she had done, looked up at Nora with big, guilty eyes. Her small hands trembled. slightly as she whispered, “Auntie, I’m sorry…
Η
The sight of the child’s remorse melted away any lingering embarrassment.
Nora crouched down and cupped Abby’s soft cheeks. “It’s okay,” she reassured gently. “Auntie knows you. didn’t mean it.”
The little girl sniffled and nodded.
Just as the moment was about to pass, a familiar voice cut through the air.
“Nora, why are you here?”
Nora turned toward the voice and found herself face–to–face with Leo.
For a moment, she was caught off guard.
She hadn’t expected to see him here, but strangely, his presence lightened the tension in the air.
However, what she didn’t expect was the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
The air between Leo and Cole felt thick–charged with something unspoken.
Leo’s gaze briefly flickered toward Cole, his expression unreadable. Meanwhile, Cole’s dark eyes. remained steady, watching Leo with quiet intensity.
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Chapter 64
