Chapter 896

Vivian Laurent rolled over, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

Without Ethan Roscente beside her, the bed felt unnervingly empty.

She stared at the ceiling, frustration simmering in her chest.

"It's just a man. No big deal," she muttered under her breath.

But the harder she tried to dismiss him, the clearer his image became in her mind.

She grabbed her phone. 1:00 AM glared back at her.

"Damn it!" She sat up abruptly.

The AC in the master bedroom was set too low. The cold floor sent a shiver up her bare feet as she stepped down.

She tiptoed to the guest room door.

A sliver of light peeked through the gap.

Pushing the door open quietly, she found Ethan lying on his back, breathing steadily.

The bedside lamp cast a soft glow on his sharp jawline.

"Sleeping so soundly, huh?" She pursed her lips and crept closer.

Her icy fingers hovered inches from his face—

When his hand snapped around her wrist.

"Ah!" She gasped as she was yanked into a warm embrace.

Ethan's eyes gleamed with mischief in the dim light.

"Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night?"

Vivian struggled against him. "I wasn't sneaking! I just... wanted to check if you were sleeping well!"

His low chuckle vibrated through her as his arms tightened. "Satisfied?"

The heat of his body seeped through his thin pajamas, making her cheeks burn.

"Let me go!"

"Not a chance." He pulled her closer. "You're not leaving now."

He draped the blanket over them both, his fingers closing around her cold hands.

"Why are your hands freezing?" He frowned. "AC too low again?"

She turned her face away. "None of your business."

Ethan pressed her palms against his chest. "Of course it's my business. You can't even take care of yourself."

"Who says I can't?" She glared at him. "I was doing just fine alone!"

He looked down at her pouting face and kissed her forehead.

"Sure, sure. You're absolutely perfect."

Just as she opened her mouth to retort, a sneeze escaped her.

Ethan immediately pulled her tighter. "See? You're getting sick."

His warm hand rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"Sleep. I've got you."

Curled against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, Vivian felt something strange—

The insomnia that had plagued her all night melted away.

As drowsiness finally claimed her, one thought drifted through her mind:

Maybe... having someone beside her wasn't so bad after all.