Chapter 29

Chapter 29
Willow POV
I couldn't help recalling that night's scenes, my face flushing hot.
"Why are you here?" Sterling's brow furrowed with surprise.
I awkwardly averted my gaze. "About yesterday—I came to thank you. Didn't Charles tell you?"
Sterling's voice was low. "No."
Hearing that, I felt even more awkward. "Then... did I disturb your rest?"
"No. Come in." Sterling stepped aside to make room.
I noticed his handsome face looked somewhat pale, his brow slightly furrowed, as if uncomfortable.
I suddenly remembered Charles mentioning Sterling suffered from insomnia and headaches.
"Water or coffee?" Sterling's voice came from the bar.
"Water's fine." I said.
Sterling brought me water. "Have a seat. Let me go change."
Soon, Sterling came out in fresh clothes and sat on the sofa beside me.
An invisible pressure instantly filled the space.
"Charles already thanked me for yesterday." He said.
I explained earnestly, "I was in a car accident before. My father died in that crash, so I have some psychological trauma. I'm really grateful you took me to the hospital yesterday. I had to thank you properly in person."
Sterling remained noncommittal.
"Also..." I looked at him carefully. "Were you injured yesterday? Your car..."
Sterling glanced at me. "No injuries. The car's already being repaired."
Only then did I relax. "That's good."
As my words fell, the living room lapsed into silence.
Sterling's complexion didn't look good. He occasionally pressed his temples with his fingertips.
"I heard from the doctor the other day that you often have insomnia. Has it improved recently?" I asked softly.
Sterling's gaze landed on my face. "Do you have a solution?"
I said, "When my father first passed, I couldn't sleep either. Later my grandmother helped me with massage, and I got better."
Sterling's eyes deepened, studying me with scrutiny.
Meeting his gaze, I belatedly realized I'd said the wrong thing.
My relationship with Sterling—I'd overstepped boundaries.
Given Sterling's personality, he'd definitely mind. Might even overthink it.
"I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought since you'd helped me several times..." I hurried to explain.
But Sterling looked away. "We can try."
I hadn't expected him to agree. Stunned for seconds, I reluctantly stood and moved behind him.
Cool fingers rested on his temples.
Sterling's brow relaxed. His headache symptoms seemed to ease.
At first, I was nervous, unsure of the right pressure.
But seeing Sterling say nothing throughout, I gradually relaxed, quietly massaging him.
Sterling's eyes closed lightly. This version of him lacked his usual sharpness and coldness, gaining softness instead.
A phone ringtone rang out abruptly.
Sterling raised his hand to answer.
I didn't hear what the other end said, but Sterling agreed, "Come up."
Hearing his words, I stopped massaging. "Sterling, since you have a guest, I'll leave first."
Sterling frowned but nodded.
But I hadn't expected to run into Gloria in the elevator as I came downstairs.
"Willow? What are you doing at Sterling's place?" Gloria's eyes widened, looking threatened. "Where's Charles?"
As if I'd done something with Sterling upstairs.
I hadn't expected Sterling's guest would be her.
Stunned for seconds, I spoke mockingly, "Where I am is none of your business. You're so concerned about my husband's whereabouts—do you still have feelings for him?"
"You..." Gloria's face darkened at my words.
Since childhood, Gloria had liked comparing herself to me unilaterally.
Whatever Father gave me, Gloria demanded, even my mother's keepsakes.
Later Gloria was found by the Brown family. The Browns were Majestic City's elite. Gloria felt she'd finally gotten one up on me.
Even when Charles pursued me, Gloria tried every way to seduce him, but never succeeded.
Now it seemed she couldn't steal Charles, so she wanted to get close to Sterling, thinking that way she could win again.
"Since you've returned to the Brown family, you and I have nothing to do with each other anymore." I looked at her distantly. "When we meet from now on, let's just be strangers. What do you think?"
Gloria clenched her jaw.
I guessed she was again feeling I didn't take her seriously, hating my aloof, indifferent manner.
Gloria's expression suddenly changed, curling into a smug smile. "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. Before long, I'll be Sterling's fiancée, the future mistress of the Lancaster household!"
She was very certain. Even though I'd twice encountered her and Sterling together, I still didn't believe it.
With Sterling's standards, would he actually be interested in Gloria?
Where did she get such confidence?
"You don't believe me? That night..." Gloria's words stopped abruptly.
She glared at me in annoyance. "Anyway, since you're already married to Charles, stay away from Sterling."
That night—which night?
Something flashed through my mind. Suddenly, Charles's voice came from behind.
"Ms. Brown, don't worry. My wife and I have an excellent relationship. She won't fall for someone else so easily."
I didn't know when Charles had returned. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me into his embrace, coldly eyeing Gloria across from us.
Gloria's face darkened. Without looking back, she left.
With that interruption, I didn't continue thinking about Gloria's words.
"Why did you come back?"
"The client was in a hurry. Said a few words and left." Charles pretended anger. "Shouldn't you be glad I came back just in time? Otherwise you'd have been bullied."
Thinking of how he'd stood up for me just now, my eyes softened. "I'm not so easily bullied by her."
"Still not acceptable." Charles frowned. "My wife can't suffer even a little grievance."
Hearing this, a chill rose in my heart.
Back in the car, Charles kept glancing at me.
I couldn't help asking, "What is it?"
Charles said, "Nothing."
But his eyes kept wandering.
After a long while, he probed cautiously, "What did Sterling say to you? You two haven't met privately before. Why were you up there so long?"
My fingers resting on my knees tightened slightly, feeling enormous irony.
Just moments ago I'd been softening because Charles stood up for me. Now he was already suspecting my relationship with Sterling.