Addison's phone buzzed with a new message. As she scrolled through her phone, she lazily swept her fingers through her long hair. Although it was a simple gesture, it made her look captivating. So ... shehadn'tleftafterall? The fiery anger that had been building in Lance moments ago suddenly had nowhere to go. With a barely audible sigh, he reined it in and let it fade away. He cleared his throat deliberately, breaking the silence. "Ahem ... " Hearing the sound, Addison instinctively looked up. Lance stood before her, dressed in his usual loungewear. It was the first time she'd seen him in something so relaxed and effortlessly casual. The color of his loungewear was deep and solid—bold and masculine. Yet, on him, it carried a subtle air of abstinence. A few damp strands of hair fell lazily across his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes and making it impossible to read the emotions in them. Their gazes locked. Under the dim lighting, a silent, inexplicable emotion stirred in the air, weaving itself into the space between them. Moments passed—ten seconds, twenty, maybe even thirty. Then, out of nowhere, a sharp voice shattered the moment. "Lance ... Can I sleep here tonight?" Virginia, realizing the charged atmosphere, immediately rushed over and wedged herself between them. Whatwaswiththewaythey were staringateachother? Theirgazes were practicallylocked! Howutterlyunluckytowitnessthis! She couldn't stand the sight of their interaction. "You want to sleep here?" Seeing that Addison hadn't left, Lance inexplicably felt a sense of relief. Finally, he shifted his gaze to Virginia. "Yes ... Lance, can I?" Virginia's eyes glistened with expectation, wide and sparkling like stars in the night sky, silently begging for his agreement. Lance remained silent. "Lance, I'm scared to sleep alone in the room next door," she pleaded, her voice soft and pitiful. "Lance, you wouldn't have the heart to leave me trembling with fear all night, would you?" Her eyes, filled with quiet longing, seemed to silently tell a story only she could convey. After a long moment, Lance finally spoke. "If you sleep here, where is Addison supposed to sleep?" he asked as his gaze once again shifted to Addison. "I already promised Mom that Addison would share a room with me tonight." Hearing this, Virginia immediately retorted without even thinking, "She can sleep in any room she wants. Does it really matter? "Just because you make a promise doesn't mean it has to be kept ... Addison's not afraid, but I am!" When Lance didn't respond, Virginia hesitated, then tentatively suggested, "How about Addison stays in my room instead? "That way, she won't have to worry about avoiding contact with you. It'll be much more comfortable for her." Her words carried a deeper meaning, clearly implying that Addison shouldn't entertain any inappropriate ideas about Lance and should know her place. Virginia wouldn't allow anyone else to touch "her" Lance. "The guest room next door is perfect for Addison. "And Lance, you and I can share this room ... It's just right for the two of us," she added while blushing slightly as if she were shy about the suggestion.