Too Late She Already Married Mr. Right (Sophia) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Richard stood in the warm glow of the hallway light, which cast a golden halo around his form. Though the light softened his features, it couldn’t disguise his strikingly sharp bone structure.

His eyes were set deep under strong brows, his nose was perfectly straight, and his jawline was sharply defined. He possessed a kind of handsome that was almost intense.

Sophia hadn’t expected the villa’s owner to return at this hour, and for a moment, she stood rooted to the spot, too stunned to react.

Richard had just changed into his slippers when an unfamiliar voice made him pause. He looked up to see Sophia standing in his living room.

Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, leaving wet patches where the ends brushed against the borrowed shirt.

The shirt hung loosely on her slender frame, the collar gaping to reveal the elegant slope of her collarbones.

When Sophia found herself meeting Richard’s gaze, every instinct told her to flee.

There was a quiet intensity in his eyes that always left her feeling unsettled, though she couldn’t quite explain why.

Some primal part of her recognized him as dangerous, setting her nerves on edge.

“Ms. Evans.” Jason’s voice cut through the tension as he emerged from the kitchen with a steaming cup. “Your clothes are being dried, and I’ve brought you some honey water to warm you up after that downpour.”

A smile instantly warmed Jason’s face as he noticed Richard. “Ah, Mr. Sterling, welcome back. This is Ms. Sophia Evans, the young lady who was kind enough to help your father the other day.

“I found her stranded in the downpour and thought it only right to offer her some shelter and dry clothes.”

Sophia felt her cheeks grow hot with self-consciousness. “Thank you, but I don’t wish to impose. I’ll leave as soon as my things are dry.”

Jason approached, offering her a steaming cup of honey water. “I wouldn’t hear of it. It’s not safe for you to travel so late. You must be our guest tonight.”

*****

The night had grown deep. Lying in the guest bed, Sophia listened to the rain tapping against the window. She tossed and turned, unable to find sleep.

Memories surfaced unbidden-Margaret’s open contempt, David’s cutting remarks, Emily’s smug triumph, and, most painfully, Lucas’s utter disregard.

She curled into a tight ball, a profound sadness gripping her so tightly that she could barely breathe.

But a raw, burning thirst soon cut through the despair. After a futile struggle to ignore the discomfort, she finally surrendered, sliding her feet into her slippers and making her way downstairs for a glass of water.

The villa was very large and utterly quiet.

Sophia drank a glass of water in the kitchen and stood for a moment listening to the rain. As she stepped out, she noticed someone sitting in a chair by the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room.