Chapter 92
The lamp flickered on, casting a faint pool of light across Charlotte’s blank face.
“Lottie?”
Anthony sat up in bed, his voice gentle. Charlotte didn’t react. Her eyes were empty, fixed straight ahead as she walked slowly toward him. There was no doubt about it. She was sleepwalking again.
She reached the bed, pulled back the covers without hesitation, and climbed in beside him. Her arms found him easily, wrapping around his arm as she pressed her face into his chest. She held on tight, clinging to him with a sadness that felt heavier than before.
Anthony remembered everything she’d gone through that day. He brushed his hand over her silky hair and gave a helpless smile. “So, is it my room you like, or is it my bed?”
Charlotte didn’t answer. She just nestled in closer, her chin resting lightly on his shoulder. Her breathing was so soft and even, it was impossible to tell if she was really awake.
Anthony let out a quiet sigh and gently tried to scoop her up, planning to carry her back to her own room. But the second he lifted her, Charlotte’s whole body tensed. She grabbed his hand and wouldn’t let go, just like the last times. He wobbled, losing his balance, and Charlotte landed right on top of him.
“OW
Her teeth knocked hard against his forehead.
Anthony winced, raising his hand to the sore spot. When he pulled his fingers away, he saw a smear of blood.
He was bleeding.
But Charlotte, the one responsible, was curled up sweetly in his arms, still holding his hand, breathing slow and deep. Fast asleep.
Anthony had to bite back a laugh. There was no way he could wake her now, so he settled back, pulling the blanket over both of them. He looked down at her sleeping face, his hand softly tracing her cheek. The tenderness in his eyes seemed to spill out, impossible to hide.
The next morning, sunlight poured through the windows, bright and almost blinding. Charlotte woke to its glare and instinctively shielded her eyes. She glanced at the door, frowning in confusion. Why did she never do anything weird when she slept in this room? Was there something magical about it?
She tossed aside the blanket and stood up. A quick, sharp pain shot through her head, and her teeth felt oddly sore. The headache made sense, but her teeth? That was strange.
Puzzled, Charlotte got dressed and opened the door. She barely had time to react before a giant, fluffy white Alaskan Malamute appeared right in front of her.
98K sat at attention outside her room, tail wagging like crazy the moment he saw her. He waited for her permission, not daring to come closer without it.
“Hey, what are you doing up here?” Charlotte rubbed his head, her voice still raspy from sleep. “Did Anthony let you come upstairs?”
98K pressed against her leg and circled around her, eager to please.
“Alright, let’s go down.”
At her words, he spun around and tore down the stairs, pausing every few steps to check if she was following.
Charlotte had barely reached the
bottom landing when she heard the maids shrieking in the hall. She looked over and saw them all
fouched together, shaking with fear while 98K strutted around, clearly enjoying himself.
Standing on the spiral staircase, Charlotte sighed and called out, “98K, over here.”
He shook out his thick fur and trotted obediently back, dropping his leash in her hand.
The maids gaped at her. Who was Ms. Main, exactly? She had Anthony wrapped around her finger and now even his dog listened to her every word.
Charlotte hooked the leash and bent down to ruffle 98K’s head, a little smile at the corner of her mouth. “You have to be nicer from now on, okay?” “Woof, woof
Right then, Anthony’s deep, smooth voice floated over from behind her, amusement coloring every word.
“You’re only the second person he’s ever let get so close.”
Charlotte turned. Anthony stood there in a crisp white shirt and a perfectly-knotted dark blue tie, looking every inch the picture of cool confidence. But when her eye
༢
reached his face, she froze,
There was a nasty scrape on his forehead.
She stared, confused and worried, and Anthony couldn’t help but sigh. “Staring at me first thing in the morning. What’s on your mind?” His up’s curled into a slow smile his voice warm and teasing.
“What happened to your head?” she asked.
“A little wildcat snuck into my room last night,” Anthony replied, his eyes glinting with mischief. “She scratched me by accident.”
“A wildcat?” Charlotte frowned. This place didn’t seem like the kind of place wildcats would show up.