Wendy reached out, her fingers trembling as she tried to touch Stanley''s handsome face.


    But before she could, his hand shot out and grabbed hers. Stanley blinked sleepily, his eyes still heavy with the remnants of sleep. He gently ced her hand on his lips, kissing it softly before turning to look at her.


    "Good morning."


    His voice was low and husky, the kind of voice that rumbled in his chest when he first woke up. He gazed at her with his dark eyes, a warmth in his expression.


    Wendy''s small face flushed a soft pink. "It''s gettingte. We should get up."


    Stanley pulled her soft body back into his arms. "Just a little longer," he murmured, still wanting to sleep.


    But Wendy pushed herself upright. "No, we can''t. This is a girls'' dorm, and everyone will wake up soon. You have to leave."


    Stanley''s narrow eyes twinkled mischievously, his handsome features showing amusement. "We spent the night together, and you want me to leave the moment you opened your eyes? I feel used."


    Wendy gave him an exasperated look, but didn''t say anything. She threw off the nket and tried to climb out of bed. The moment she stood, her slender body wobbled, and she slipped toward the floor.


    "Ah!" she gasped softly.


    Before she could hit the ground, a strong arm shot out and caught her around the waist, lifting her effortlessly.


    "Are you okay?" Stanley''s voice was soft but concerned as he held her securely in his arms.


    Of course, she wasn''t okay.


    Wendy clenched her small fist and punched him in the chest. It was oddly endearing.


    Her face, still free of makeup, was a soft shade of pink, and the yellow candy- colored hair clip, the only one left on her head, was now crooked.


    Her yful little expression said it all. She was ming him for the fall.


    Stanley''s low, amusedugh rumbled from deep in his chest. Her yful, innocent charm was always something he adored.


    He gently ced her back on the bed, then leaned over her. Still have some energy? How about a little morning workout?"


    He leaned down to kiss her.


    Morning workout?


    Wendy tried to dodge his advances. "Stanley, stop."


    They both tumbled over in a yful, tangled mess on the bed. At that moment, the


    air was thick with sweetness. It was probably what love smelled like.


    Then, Stanley''s hand slid under the pillow, and his fingers brushed something hard.


    "What''s under your pillow?" he asked, curious.


    It was the crystal pendant-the very one he had given her back in that cave all those years ago.


    Wendy stared at him. "You gave this to me."


    "Did 12"


    "Yeah," she said softly, lifting the pendant from under the pillow. She wanted to show him, to remind him of the


    past.


    She had always wondered if he remembered her-if he remembered that night. It seemed like he had forgotten.


    But as she held the pendant, his phone suddenly rang, cutting the moment short.


    Stanley answered it immediately, and Lilian''s frantic voice came through. "Mr. Hawk, you need to get to the hospital! Jessica cut her wrist!"


    Jessica had tried to kill herself.


    Wendy''s hand, still holding the crystal pendant, froze.


    Stanley''s expression tightened. The warmth andfort he had given her evaporated as he quickly stood and grabbed his clothes.


    "I''ll be right there."


    He hung up the phone and rushed to get dressed.


    Wendy sat on the bed, the crystal pendant still in her hand. Seeing Stanley so urgently rushing off, she quietly ced it back under the pillow.


    Last night had been a moment of passion, but now, reality was knocking at the door.


    Jessica had always been the barrier between Stanley and Wendy, a problem that could never be solved.


    Wendy stood up from the bed. "I''ll follow you to the hospital."