Chapter 218

The city sprawled beneath us as Timothy’s car glided through the streets. The familiar city lights blurred into a hazy glow, almost

dizzying to look at.

The drive back to our apartments was filled with a heavy silence. The disastrous dinner replayed in my mind like a haunting

melody, and I couldn’t shake the image of my mother out of my mind. I felt around in my pocket for the slip of paper she had

handed me, her number sprawled across its surface.

As Timothy parked the car, he turned to me with a remorseful expression. “Evie, I’m so sorry about tonight. I had no idea it would

turn out like that.”

I offered a half-smile, attempting to downplay the severity of the situation. “It's okay. It was the thought that counted, right?”

He sighed. “I just wanted you to meet my father and, well, I didn’t anticipate the whole Mia situation.”

I nodded, the bitterness of the evening still fresh in my mind. “It’s not your fault. I appreciate you wanting to bring me anyway,

even if it was more than I bargained for.”

He gave me a sympathetic look. “I had no idea your mother was Mia. I wouldn’t have invited you if I did.”

I shrugged, trying to dismiss the weight of disappointment. “It’s fine. It’s not like I expected her to be Mother of

the Year.”

Timothy ran a hand through his hair, his eyes searching for the right words. “I just feel so awful. I mean, what do you say to that?

I never meant to put you in such an awkward situation.”

“It's not your fault,” I repeated. “I just need some time to process everything.”

As we stepped out of the car, he wrapped his arm around me and we walked inside. As we reached my door, Timothy turned to

me with a sincerity that eased the tension.

“I hope you know that I’m here for you. If you need anything, just let me know.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

Timothy leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. I found myself responding, wrapping my arms around his neck.

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and pulling him closer so that our bodies melded together.

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We stumbled backward, our lips still locked, and his back slammed into his apartment door. We broke apart for a

moment as he searched for his keys and jammed them into the lock.

Without a word, he took my hand and led me inside.

The night unfolded in a blur of tangled limbs and whispered confessions. It was the loudest I'd ever been, my nails dragging

down his bare back and leaving streaks of broken skin as he drove into me. The friction left me delirious, and I felt my mind slip

away as though nothing else mattered.

As he peppered my burning skin with soft kisses, I felt an intense need that had been locked away for a long time. Neither of us

was able to get enough, clinging onto each other throughout the night in a desperate frenzy

of desire.

My eyes fluttered open as streaks of sun poured into the room, I grumbled and attempted to turn away, my head pulsing. My

body didn’t budge, however,

As I looked down, I saw a pair of arms wrapped around me in a protective embrace. Reality crashed back, and

the events of the night replayed in my mind.

I gently extricated myself from Timothy's arms, careful not to wake him. The room was silent, except for the steady rhythm of his

breathing. As I searched the room for my clothes, my initial fears withered away.

The clothes hung off me awkwardly as I tiptoed towards the door, leaving behind the tangled sheets and the traces of our

momentary connection. Timothy patted the space beside him, searching for me, and his face pinched in protest.

I stifled a laugh and slipped out the door, only to be met with the cold, wet touch of Duke’s nose in my behind.

“Duke!” I hissed, keeping my voice low. He circled around me, jumping with glee. When he left him with a single pat on the head,

he barked.

“Keep it down, boy!” I pressed a finger to my lips, but he barked louder.

Duke was clearly not a fan of sneaky exits. The barking echoed through the apartment, undoubtedly rousing Timothy from his

slumber. Panic surged within me as I glanced back at the bedroom door and saw it crack open.

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Chapter 218

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Timothy emerged, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, his expression shifting from confusion to hurt as he spotted me near the exit.

“Hey, where are you running off to?” he asked, his voice raspy.

My mind raced for an excuse, and I settled on a half—truth. “I have a ton of work to cover at the office. I also didn’t think you'd

want me to stay the night,” I replied, avoiding eye contact.

His hurt expression deepened into a frown. “Evie, you’re always welcome here. You don’t have to run off.”

I hesitated, noticing that he’d walked out only in a pair of briefs. The heat returned to my cheeks and I looked away, as though I

hadn't seen every inch of him last night.

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, looking genuinely concerned. “Is something wrong? Did I do something?”

I sighed, realizing the need for honesty. “It’s not you, Timothy. I just...that was quite a night.”

His expression softened and a sly grin emerged on his lips. “It was.”

I didn’t consider what would happen the morning after. I didn’t even think we'd spend the night together. It felt so soon yet long

awaited all at once.

“Actually,” he continued, “how about I make you breakfast? Before you head to work.”

The offer caught me off guard, and a hint of relief washed over me. “Breakfast sounds good,” I admitted, a grateful smile

escaping.

As Timothy busied himself in the kitchen, the scent of sizzling bacon and brewing coffee filled the air. The rhythmic clatter of pans

and the soft hum of conversation between us created a comforting ambiance, almost

domestic.

As we Sat down to eat, a semblance of normalcy returned. Timothy’s presence was warm and inviting, and I couldn’t help but

contrast it to how our first time was, I admittedly felt less clumsy this time around, more

daring.

We exchanged casual conversation, the awkwardness of the morning dissipating with each shared smile. It all felt so natural. I

tossed Duke some of my spare bacon and he leaped to catch it.

Timothy's eyes, warm and inviting, met mine. “You know, we could both stay in today. We could ditch work and just cuddle all

day.”

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Chapter 218

His hand playfully squeezed my thigh beneath the table and I snorted.

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“I don’t know if I have another round in me,” I said, noting the suggestion in his voice. I was still feeling sore.

He leaned over and nibbled at the shell of my ear, and I swatted his hand away when I caught it reaching for my last piece of

bacon. “If you say so.”

I tried tip—toeing into the apartment, hoping that if Aria was still there, she wouldn't catch on to me having been missing the whole

night. However, as I switched on the living room lights, I saw Aria relaxing on the couch. Her eyes widened with shock as she

took in my disheveled hair and smudged makeup.

“Evie! Where were you all night?” Aria’s voice was a mixture of concern and annoyance, her eyes narrowing as

she surveyed my appearance.

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with how to explain the tumultuous night. Aria, always perceptive, seemed to connect the

dots as she glanced at me. The revelation dawned on her, and her expression shifted from irritation to glee.

“Timothy, huh?” Aria’s tone carried a note of excitement, but it was short-lived.

I hesitated, unsure of how to begin. The night had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to relive it all.

“Yeah, we did,” I said, my voice carrying a weight I hadn't intended.

Aria set aside her magazine, concern furrowing her brow. “What happened, Evie? Was it bad?”

I took a deep breath, recounting the night’s events from the chance encounter with my mother to the unexpected intimacy with

Timothy that followed. Aria listened intently, her eyes widening with every twist.

“Wait, your mother showed up before you and Timothy... hooked up?” Aria’s disbelief hung in the air, her excitement replaced by

a mix of shock and concern.

I nodded solemnly, the weight of the revelation settling in. “Yes, she was there. And she’s dating Timothy's

father.”

Aria’s eyes

widened, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. “Evie, this is a lot. You need to confront

your

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mother about this,” Aria said, her voice firm. “You deserve answers.”

a