Just then, the front door suddenly swung open. Madeline hade back.


    “Halsey!” she called out.


    Halsey jumped, startled. She immediately tried to climb off Shaun. “Maddy’s back!”


    Shaun wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, refusing to let her go. “You’re not going anywhere.”


    “Are you crazy? Maddy’s home! She’s looking for me!”


    Madeline’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Halsey? Where are you? Halsey? Shaun?”


    Now she was looking for Shaun, too.


    Halsey’s face flushed a deep red. If Madeline walked in and saw what they were doing,


    Halsey would never be able to show her face again.


    “Let me go! Maddy’s calling for us-don’t be like this!”


    Shaun leaned in and said in a low voice, “Call her. Tell her you’re not going home tonight.”


    What was that supposed to mean?


    Halsey immediately refused. “No!”


    Shaun asked calmly, “No to what? No to the phone call, or no to spending the night in my


    room?”


    He actually wanted her to stay the night. Her heart was in chaos. “Just-no!”


    Shaun said, “Then let here in. You okay with that?”


    “I…” Of course, she wasn’t.


    Madeline’s footsteps were getting closer. “Halsey? Shaun? Are you guys


    here?”


    She was heading their way.


    +25 BON


    Halsey had no choice but to give in. She quickly grabbed her phone and called Madeline.


    When Madeline picked up, she asked, “Hey, Halsey. Where’d you go? I didn’t see you.”


    Halsey nced at Shaun, then said, “I went home for the night. You should get some rest- I’ll see you tomorrow.”


    Madeline sounded cheerful. “Okay! See you tomorrow, then.’


    As soon as the call ended, Halsey red at Shaun. “Happy now?”


    Shaun smirked. “Shall we continue?”


    Halsey looked at him sternly. “Just once tonight. That’s it.”


    “No.”


    “Only once!”


    “You don’t get to decide that.”


    The next morning, Halsey’sshes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. She was


    awake.


    The early sunlight had already begun to spill through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. She checked the time-it was past eight in the morning.


    She had slept in.


    She tried to sit up, but then realized she was nestled in a warm embrace. Lifting her gaze, she saw that Shaun was still asleep, his arms wrapped around her.


    She froze for a moment, and memories ofst night came flooding back. He had been so forceful and intense… She had to beg, tears and all, before he finally let her go.


    Halsey ced a gentle hand on her stomach. Everything felt normal. The baby was okay.


    She let out a quiet breath of relief. Her eyes drifted back to Shaun’s face. She had never really taken the time to look at him closely.


    He looked so handsome now. That cold, sharp-edged boy from their youth had grown into a refined and striking man.


    She reached up, her pale fingers softly brushing across his features-his sharp brows, the bridge of his nose, and finally his lips.


    A sudden sweetness welled up in her chest. She wished that time could stop here. She wanted to stay like this with Shaun forever.


    But she knew that was impossible.


    Halsey slowly drew her hand back.


    But the very next second, arge hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.


    Shaun’s eyes opened.