NovelUSAChapter 521 Gwyneth spent the whole day at Leonie's house, and that night, the two girls sat by the open window of the upstairs bedroom, nibbling on snacks and watching the stars.
The rain that had been pouring down all day had finally stopped by evening. Droplets still clung to the eaves, trailing down the columns, but the sky had cleared. Moonlight bathed the garden in a silvery glow, and above them, a sweep of stars shimmered against the velvet night.
Having Gwyneth over seemed to have unlocked something in Leonie; she chattered non-stop, her words tumbling out with barely a pause for breath. She kept Gwyneth up talking until the early hours, refusing to let her go to sleep, until Gwyneth could barely keep her eyes open. Only then did they both squeeze under one duvet, curling up together. In the middle of the night, Gwyneth woke with a start, feeling something heavy pinning her down. Opening her eyes, she found Leonie's leg draped squarely across her stomach; Leonie was fast asleep, looking so relaxed she was nearly drooling.
It was almost comical, how this easy looseness clashed with Leonie's daytimage as a perfectly proper young lady. Clearly, Mr. and Mrs. Everhart doted on their daughter, sparing her even the tiniest hardship-even the strictest household rules were softened for her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtGwyneth, in contrast, lay on her back with her hands folded neatly over her chest. Even in sleep, she was the picture of composure-years of diligent study and undistracted discipline had shaped both her manners and her temperament. She hadn't even had a proper rebellious phase.
Apart from her recent reluctance to return hafter studying abroad, even her childhood defiance against Victoria had long since faded away.
Carefully, she inched herself out from under Leonie's smooth-skinned leg and glanced at the moonlight pouring through the window. An unexpected chill swept over her.
That deep, hollow loneliness-the kind that gnaws at you even when your family is still around, leaving your heart strangely empty-was something few people could ever truly understand.
Turning her head, Gwyneth looked at Leonie, who was sleeping soundly beside her. A pang of envy passed through her, but she closed her eyes again. All night, her sleep was restless, her dreams uneasy.
She woke early the next morning, certain that Leonie would still be asleep. To her surprise, Leonie was already up and back from a run in the garden.
"You're awake! I wish I could sleep as well as you. I hardly got any rest last night ugh," Leonie grumbled, tossing herself onto the bed.
Gwyneth couldn't help but smile in disbelief. Who was the one who'd nearly smothered her with a leg in the middle of the night, and slept so deeply she hadn't stirred even when shaken? Leonie had the nerve to complain about not sleeping well.
If there had been a thunderstorm last night, Gwyneth thought, Leonie probably would have slept right through it. "Let's go down for breakfast," Gwyneth suggested.
Then Leonie suddenly remembered-today, Gwyneth was supposed to report to her uncle's company. Leonie muttered her dissatisfaction.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"My uncle is such a busybody. Bachelors with no one to keep them in line are just a nightmare. I honestly can't wait for his soulmate to show up and give him a taste of his own medicine." The two girls chatted as they made Pet their way downstairs. Halfway down, Leonie glanced at the dining table below and saw her uncle, Hawthorne, scrolling through his phone and eating breakfast. She lost her balance and slid down the rest of the staircase, landing in a heap on the marble floor.
Gwyneth jumped in alarm and reached out to steady her, only just avoiding tumbling down herself.
Leonie scrambled to her feet and stared at Hawthorne as if she'd seen a ghost. "U-Uncle?" He was here again? Gwyneth found it hard to believe as well. All because he suspected she was connected to the Langfords of Starfall City? She was just a young woman, not involved in the family business at all.
Did Hawthorne really have to keep such a close eye on se eye on her as if she asif were ssort of rival? "Chave sbreakfast," Hawthorne said, slicing his toast with practiced precision and het
popping a piece into his mouth.
remember you have rehearsal at the theater today-Swan Lake, isn't it? I'm heading that way, so I'll give you a ride." Leonie forced a smile. "Not exactly on your way, is it? You'd have to take a major detour."
"It's fine. I'm not in a rush. And I can theo bring your friend along to the m company, help her get acquainted with things," he replied, unbothered.
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