Chapter 207

Chapter 207

She tilted her head back, fingers threading through his hair, tugging gently.

"The curtains..." she breathed the reminder.

He didn't answer, simply scooping her into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom, already working at her clothes.

The floor-to-ceiling window hadn't fully closed. The evening breeze teased at a corner of the sheer curtain, distant lights filtering through to cast her silhouette against the white walls.

He laid her in the center of the bed, bending to kiss her collarbone.

"Edward." Her arms circled his neck, voice soft as a sigh.

"Mm."

"Tell me you love me."

He paused, bracing himself on his arms to look at her.

Moonlight leaked through gaps in the curtains, spilling across her face in a soft halo, like an angel descended to earth.

Her eyes shone bright, holding only his reflection.

"I love you." He lowered his head, lips brushing against her neck.

She released a contented hum.

Everything that followed turned slow and lingering.

His kisses fell upon every inch of her skin, drawing forth fine tremors.

Molly's responses came light yet forceful, surrendering herself completely to him.

Their clothes disappeared at some point, their bodies intertwining.

The moment he entered her, she bit down on his shoulder, a pained moan escaping her throat.

"Does it hurt?" he asked hoarsely.

She shook her head, holding him tighter.

The night breeze stirred the curtain. She clung to his shoulders, rising and falling with each of his deep, powerful thrusts, consciousness gradually blurring until only touch and sound remained.

The way he murmured her name made her heart pound violently in her chest, two hearts drawing ever closer.

Time became immeasurable until he finally stilled, gathering her entirely into his embrace.

Molly's breathing hadn't yet steadied, the flush on her face still vivid.

"Next time..." she spoke, discovering her voice had gone terribly hoarse, "close the curtains properly."

He chuckled softly. "Afraid of being seen?"

"Afraid of someone else seeing you." She tilted her face up, finger poking his chest. "You're mine alone."

He caught her wandering finger, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss.

Rain began falling in the deep hours of the night.

Raindrops drummed against the floor-to-ceiling window, blurring the tower's lights into a hazy gold.

She nestled in his arms, listening to rain and heartbeat interweave.

"Edward, I love me."

A night of sweet dreams.

 

The next day, they planned to visit Lysfjord to see the aurora.

Molly had been looking forward to this trip, wanting to capture every moment. But just as they were making plans, her phone rang.

Layla's name appeared on the screen.

She answered, hearing the tightness in the voice on the other end.

"Molly, Mia's disappeared."

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

"The nursing home says she walked out this afternoon when the caregivers were changing shifts." Layla spoke rapidly, anxiety clear in her tone.

Molly's mind instantly spiraled into chaos. She rushed to book return flights.

Three hours later, the plane lifted off from the airport.

When Molly arrived at the nursing home, Mia's bed stood empty, as if nothing had ever existed there.

"Where could Grandma have gone?" Molly's face was written with worry as she thought of her grandmother's unknown whereabouts.

Edward gently patted Molly's shoulder, offering comfort.

"Don't panic. Think about where she might go. I doubt she'd wander randomly."

This wasn't the first time they'd lost track of Grandma. With previous experience, Edward remained notably calmer.

"These days mark the anniversary of my mother's death. Should we check there?" After a moment's thought, Molly offered an answer.

The cemetery sat on a hillside. The weather was cold, wind cutting to the bone.

They ascended the stone steps, and from a distance spotted a hunched figure sitting beside a particular headstone.

Gray-white hair tousled by the wind.

It was Mia, as expected.

"Grandma." She ran over, crouching before the old woman.

Mia slowly turned her head, weathered eyes meeting her face.

She paused, then smiled, the wrinkles on her face gradually smoothing.

"Molly's here. I was just talking to your mother. I've been talking for so long, but she won't answer me."

Molly's throat felt blocked by something. She followed Mia's gaze to the headstone.

Her mother's photo on the stone remained from decades ago, features exquisitely refined.

"I told her Molly's doing so well now." Mia continued speaking to herself, fingers tracing the edge of the headstone. "Making good money, beautiful too. Told her not to worry."

She paused. "I also told her Molly got married."

Hearing these words, Molly felt inexplicably bittersweet.

Mia lifted her head, gazing at Edward standing several steps away, studying him for a long time.

"You're the one," Mia squinted, "who came to the nursing home. What was your name again?"

Somehow, her impression of Edward ran particularly deep.

Edward stepped forward, crouching before her.

"Yes."

"I could tell even then." She nodded. "You're good to Molly."

Mia reached into her clothing, fumbling briefly before producing a small cloth bundle.

The corners had worn white, though it had been carefully washed.

She placed the bundle on her lap, unwrapping it layer by layer.

Inside were some bills and a bracelet.

"My mother passed this to me." She lifted out the bracelet. "I'd been thinking of giving it to you when you got married."

Molly looked at the bracelet, words failing her.

Mia pulled Molly's hand over, slipping the bracelet onto her wrist.

"I wanted to put it on you myself on your wedding day." Mia held her hand. "Afraid I won't make it that long."

"Grandma..."

"Don't be scared." Mia patted the back of her hand. "People get old, we all have to go eventually. Your mother left early. I lived decades longer, watched you grow up for her. I'm already very content."

Mia turned to Edward, suddenly asking his name. "What's your name?"

"Edward," Edward answered truthfully.

"Edward, good." She repeated the name. "Looks a bit cold, but a good person."

Mia pushed the cash forward as well.

"This is what I've saved over the years. Not much, but consider it Molly's wedding gift. As long as you two are good to each other, that's all that matters."

Edward didn't refuse.

He accepted the cloth bundle with both hands, lowering his head.

"I'll be good to her."

She looked at him for a long while, then gently nodded.

"Good."

The morning fog gradually dispersed, the weather growing warmer.

Molly helped her to her feet. "Grandma, let's go home."

Supported by Molly, Mia walked a few steps then looked back at the headstone one more time.