Chapter 60

Chapter 60
The clouds turned dark, thunder rumbling across the city, which seemed silent, as if mourning with Ariel.

She quietly walked down the narrow street where Freya had been killed.

The white mark used to mark her death position was still visible on the floor. Ariel bent down, staring at it.

She stood in silence, staring as the rain poured down. Others around her ran to seek shelter, trying to reach home before getting soaked.

But Ariel didn’t care; she didn’t even feel the liquid touch her body. Her focus was entirely on Freya. Just a few days ago, they had laughed, eaten together.

There were so many things Ariel hadn’t done with her yet, so many places she had planned to show her.

The tears didn’t fall this time; her heart felt rigid. Suddenly, she no longer felt the rain on her. She stood up, still staring at the spot her friend had died, then looked to her left. People were still running.

Confused, she turned to the other side— and that’s when she saw Micheal. Standing in the rain, holding an umbrella over her head.

“You’ll catch a cold,” he said in a calm tone, pulling his jacket and draping it over her shoulders.

Ariel didn’t protest; she simply let him do it.

“I should get you home,” Micheal muttered, holding her waist. The umbrella protected them both as they walked down the alley.

Ariel quietly walked, then suddenly rested her head on Micheal’s shoulder. He turned his face toward hers and simply smiled— not an amused smile, but a sad one, yet glad she was leaning on him.

He helped her into the car, and they drove off to his place.


Ariel sat on the couch in front of the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket. Micheal quickly set the fire, and when it burned steadily, he left and returned with a cup of hot tea.

He stretched it toward her. Ariel looked up at him, then at the cup, as if contemplating. She finally took it slowly and returned her gaze to the burning fire.

Micheal sat on the couch behind her, watching. She held the cup tightly, still deep in thought, unaware when it slipped from her hands.

The sound snapped her out of her reverie. Ariel jerked up, and as she placed her foot on the floor, she unknowingly stepped on broken glass, wincing in pain.

“Hey, stay back, don’t move. The whole place is filled with glass pieces. I’ll get a broom to clean it up,” Micheal said, rushing off to the storage.

He returned with a dustpan and broom, cleaned the floor, and while mopping up the spilled tea, he noticed her blood beneath her leg.

“Did you step on glass?” Micheal asked, looking up at her from where he knelt.

“I—” Ariel began, then went silent.

Micheal stood up carefully, helped her back onto the couch, and gently placed her leg on a stool. He removed the piece stuck in her skin, then fetched first-aid supplies and cleaned the wound.

Ariel didn’t flinch at the antiseptic. She remained spaced out, lost in thought.

He finished bandaging her leg, ensuring it left no scar, then cleared away the used tissues and cleaned the floor.

“Ariel,” he called as he returned from the storage.

She turned to him, her expression pale.

“Are you going to keep being silent?” Micheal asked.

Ariel clenched her fists, turning aside to hide her teary face.

“I just can’t believe she’s gone,” she whispered, her voice cracking as her sobs grew louder.

“I know,” Micheal said gently. “Even in the short time I met her, she was sweet. But think about what Frank must be going through. I bet he’s torn up the worst. Mrs. Jones asked me to stay and help with the case. She needs someone to ensure you don’t put yourself in danger.”

Ariel stood up, pulled the blanket around herself, and hugged her body as she moved to sit on the larger couch.

“I can do this on my own. I don’t need anyone watching me.”

“I know you’re more than capable, Ariel. I’ve seen what you can do. But I really want to be there for you in times like this. I need you to trust me, to see me not just as your partner but as someone you can lean on,” Micheal said, his tone unusually soft.

Ariel turned her face toward him, searching for any sign of pity— but he looked sincere, perhaps even more sincere than James had ever been with her.

Should she accept him? she wondered.

After James had cheated on her, she stopped confiding in anyone. She wanted to do everything herself.

But here was Micheal, wanting her to lean on him. Could she?

She quietly thought, blinking slowly as her eyes studied him.

“Ariel, you don’t have to go through this alone. I promise I’ll always be here. And if you want me transferred here, I’ll try to work it out. But please, let me be with you,” he pleaded sincerely, kneeling like a man making a proposal.

Ariel shut her eyes tiredly. Micheal rose, sat next to her, and pulled her close. He rested his back on the couch, letting her rest her head on his shoulder, covering her with the blanket.

“You don’t have to say anything. Just staying close to me is fine, and I promise I’ll protect you.”

Ariel stayed silent, her eyes staring at nothing in particular.

They slept that way until morning.

Micheal opened his eyes and realized Ariel wasn’t on his shoulder anymore. He was covered with the blanket alone. Panic surged through him as he quickly sat up, looking around.

“Ariel,” he called.

She stepped out of the kitchen, wearing an apron tied at her waist, a spoon in her mouth, looking lively.

Micheal immediately walked up to her and embraced her. Ariel gasped, cheeks flushed.

She wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

“I thought I had lost you,” Micheal muttered.

Ariel remained still, softening, her heartbeat quickening. A smile slowly formed on her lips.