Chapter 84 A Trip
Finished
After a hot shower and a full skincare routine, I curled up in bed, ready to sleep. I was just slipping into a light doze when I felt the other side of the bed dip. My body tensed. I blinked myself awake.
“Thad
“I had a nightmare,” Shawn’s voice came from behind me. “Go back to sleep. I won’t touch you.” He wrapped an arm around me–gentle but firm.
What type of nightmare might genuinely unsettle someone like Shawn?
Still, he kept his word. He didn’t try anything. And surprisingly, I fell right back asleep. Ever since I got a second chance at life, sleep had come easier. Maybe it was because I had tasted death once, and thereafter, nothing else felt quite as terrifying
Rain tapped softly against the windows the next morning. The whole room felt warm, humid, and a little stuffy.
Last night I had definitely fallen asleep facing away from him. But now, somehow, my head was on his chest, one leg casually thrown over his.
It was as if some buried vulnerability had leaked out from me. I was angry at myself, so I sat up quickly and got out of bed.
By the time I finished getting ready, Shawn was already up and out of the room.
It was the weekend. Since his mom had offered to take care of Yuna, I’d decided to take a trip. Just me–no kid, no husband.
I packed light, just a small duffel, and headed downstairs. Shawn had just come in from his morning run, dressed in black athletic gear, sweat still fresh on his forehead.
He eyed my bag and narrowed his eyes. “Where are you going?”
“Sylvania,” I answered.
“For work?”
“Nope. I just want to see the coast. Clear my head,” I said plainly.
He was startled, like he hadn’t expected that answer. After a second, he exhaled. “You’re going alone?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
His eyes stayed on mine, like he was trying to read through me. Then his voice turned cold. “Not happening.”
I laughed. “If you’re worried, then come with me.”
Actually, I already knew he hated vacations. Any time he left the city, it was always work–related. Well, no- that wasn’t quite true. He liked traveling. He just didn’t like traveling with me.
Shawn furrowed his brows.
I could tell he was about to say no.
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Chapter 84 A Trip
Finished
He brushed past me without another word. But on the airs, he turned his head slightly and asked, “You got a ride arranged?”
“I’m driving myself.”
He didn’t reply. A few minutes later, he came back down the stairs–carrying a bag of his own. Shawn explained, “I asked William to drive. It’s a long trip. You shouldn’t be on the road that long by yourself.
I froze, staring at the bag in his hand, unable to believe what I was seeing.
He wasn’t stopping me from leaving. He was coming with me. That was unexpected.
This won’t do. I needed someone to stop him.
So I came up with something. I quickly posted a story on social media, making it visible to Queena only. I snapped a discreet photo of our two bags and captioned it, “Getting ready for a getaway–the new beginning that starts with genuine feelings.”
Five minutes later, Shawn’s phone rang.
He was still eating breakfast. He answered the call, talked for just a moment, then stepped outside to finish
- it.
Bingo. My little signal worked. Queena had called, just like I hoped.
He came back in and calmly resumed eating.
I waited for him to say something, like an urgent meeting or an emergency at work, followed by the usual credit card toss, and he told me to go have fun without me,
But nope. William pulled up in the SUV, we got in, and off we went toward Sylvania. Shawn didn’t tell me anything. He closed his eyes as soon as we were on the road, like he hadn’t slept well the night before.
I put on my sunglasses and stared out at the scene
scenery.
In my past life, I’d spent so much time dealing with family drama and relationship messes, I never let
twinge myself enjoy things like this. Now, watching the misty landscape through the glass, I felt a strange of guilt–for all the ways I’d neglected myself.
That wouldn’t happen again. From now on, I’d take myself to see every corner of the world. No regrets.
It took us almost three hours to get from Hanzora to Sylvania. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped. Sunlight broke through the clouds and created a different kind of scenery.
Shawn rubbed his tired eyes and looked out the window. “Let’s grab something to eat.”
I’m not hungry,” I replied immediately.
He ignored me and gave William an address to a restaurant.
my
I pressed my lips together. There was no point in arguing. This whole trip was my idea–shouldn’t m opinion count for something?
The restaurant turned out to be a local spot known for traditional Sylvania–style dishes.
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Chapter 84 A Trip
Firmhed
Those were rich–flavored dishes with strong–flavored ces Roast goose, for example–crispy on the outside, melt–in–your–mouth tender inside.
But I was more of a spicy food kind of girl. All these flavors just didn’t hit right.
At the door, Shawn suddenly turned to me and said, “Queena’s meeting a few execs here. They’ll be joining us for lunch. I hope you don’t mind.”
