h4Chapter 414: Stop Grinning/h4

    Mnie had to practically shove her wrist into her mouth to keep herself fromughing out loud. It was either that or risk falling off the chair in hysterics. Honestly, she had no other way of holding it back. The sight in front of her was too much, apparently, she had unleashed a monster she had not even known existed.

    Because there he was—the ever-soposed, dignified Dr. is Jung—trying, and failing, to maintain some shred of grace as he walked across the room. He moved stiffly, almost cautiously, like someone testing the ground for hidden traps, before lowering himself onto the chair with extreme care. The slight wince that crossed his face at the contact was the final straw.

    She lost it.

    A snort escaped her first, before it dissolved into full-blownughter. It burst out of her so hard she had to clutch her stomach, eyes watering uncontrobly. Tears actually rolled down her face as she watched him scowl in silence.

    For thest two days, Dr. Jung had been practically missing from sight. Not missing as in "vanished off the face of the earth" missing. No. He had been very much here, just... confined. Entirely absen. The only evidence of life had been Cadence Sint, appearing at odd hours to collect takeout with the faintest smirk, never once volunteering an exnation.

    Now, seeing is again, Mnie finally understood why.

    is Jung, looking every bit like a man regretting several life choices, shot her a withering re as he reached for the ss of lemon water on the table. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though the simple act of picking up a drink might betray him further.

    "Shut up," he muttered, his voice carrying a low, unmistakable growl.

    Of course, that only made things worse. Mnie doubled over,ughing so hard her shoulders shook. She tried to calm herself, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, but one look at his stormy expression sent her right back into helpless giggles.

    Finally managing to catch her breath, she walked over to him, schooled her face into something approaching seriousness. Without warning, she leaned down and hugged him tightly, still trying to smother the grin threatening to break free.

    "is Jung," she said, with mock solemnity, "you are like the sister I never had. Now Ipletely understand why La keeps teasing me all the time. It is so much fun to watch..."

    That made him a fraction. The stiffness in his posture eased as if he was on the verge of admitting he, too, had begun to see her like the sister he never had. After all, if not for what she had done, things would have still not improved. His arms even twitched, as though he might hug her back.

    But then Mnie kept talking.

    "I just hope," she said sweetly, "that you two didn’t end up breaking any of the furniture. Marianne is going to be back soon, and you know how she is about her precious chairs and tables..."

    is was about to snap back at her when suddenly a cold voice spoke up," Let go of him."

    is stiffened. Dam* it! He knew the possessive voice and could imagine the thunderous expression on the man’s face. He was about to turn around and exin, when his arm was pinched and then Mnie winked at him and straightened.

    He watched as her expression changed from mischief to pure horror and she turned around and stopped in front of Cadence. In the next minute, she threw herself at Cadence and is watched her start to cry.

    "Cadence Sint! My parents are on their way back to meet the person I want to marry! And you.. the one who imed to love only me, has spent thest two days in another man’s bed.. What am I supposed to do? What am I..."

    is frowned. They had already discussed returning to the indst night andpletely forgotten about the biggest reason for their stay here. And he had meant to talk to Cadence about her being Mnie and not Melody but he’d forgotten about that.

    "I am sure that you and your man can handle your parents, Mnie Collins."

    Mnie blinked at Cadence’s words.

    is blinked too.

    "What is going on?"

    Cadence’s eyes stayed on Mnie for a moment longer before he slowly stepped away from her. Without a word, he crossed the short distance to where is sat frozen in his chair.

    Then, with deliberate ease, Cadence leaned down until their faces were close, close enough for is to feel the faint brush of warm breath against his skin. He rubbed his cheek lightly against is’s, a fleeting touch that somehow carried the weight of possession.

    "Don’t go around letting people hug you," he murmured, his voice low and edged with something darker than simple jealousy. "I don’t like it."

    is, momentarily thrown by both the gesture and the tone, nodded absently, as though his mind hadn’t quite caught up to the moment yet. He was still processing the words when Cadence continued, his voice softer now, almost thoughtful.

    "is never liked Melody," he said, almost as though he were talking to himself as much as to is. "I used to pretend he was jealous of her... so I stuck to her." His eyes flicked briefly toward Mnie before returning to is. "But when you came, he was... tolerant. Too tolerant. That gave me a pause."

    is felt his breath catch but didn’t move, letting the words sink in as Cadence spoke on.

    "And thenter," Cadence’s voice lowered even further, "he was so protective of you he even risked himself to save you at the airport. No hesitation. No second thoughts. He doesn’t do that for people he doesn’t care about." His hand brushed lightly over is’s shoulder, almost absentmindedly, as if the contact grounded his thoughts.

    "So I started to pay more attention to you," Cadence admitted, his tone steady but carrying a strange undercurrent is couldn’t quite name. "At first, I couldn’t understand it. Until I eventually realized that what you had initially told me was the truth and you were not Melody."

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