Adele, gripping Ariana’s hand, looked like she was about to cry.
“No, no,” she murmured.
The pang in Ariana’s chest was palpable. She wished she could keep Adele longer, but it was
important for Adele to go back before Sadie got suspicious.
With Sadie, there was no predicting her next move.
Even if it tore at her, Ariana knew she had to let Shawn take Adele away.
Melon hovered near Ariana, disappointment in his eyes as he watched Adele depart. He had quietly
hoped that maybe Adele could be his little sister.
Ariana felt a pang in her heart as she watched Adele recede in the distance. The young girl stirred
emotions within her, reminiscent of the daughter she had tragically lost too early.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIt was only when the vehicle vanished from sight that Ariana ushered Melon back into the house.
That night, after ensuring Melon was asleep, Ariana found herself unable to drift off. Restlessness
prompted her to get up and venture out.
She headed to her apartment, aiming to examine the security footage, hopeful she might identify the
trespasser.
Unbeknownst to her, Melon had roused after her departure.
Quietly, Melon fetched his iPad and dialed the contact labeled “Hero Dad.” Holden’s face soon
appeared on screen, and they delved into their usual father-son conversation.
At the apartment, Ariana swiftly noted that it was intruder-free.
However, men’s slippers lay near the entrance, male grooming products occupied the bathroom, and a
jacket was casually draped over the bed.
Angela’s Library
Her anger surged. This intruder seemed to have no qualms about settling in. She resolved to unmask
him herself.
Opting not to disturb any belongings to alert the intruder, she then discovered fresh groceries in the
refrigerator.
It was audacious how this intruder behaved as if the apartment was his.
With rising ire, Ariana hastened to watch the security tapes, eager to put a face to this presumptuous
person.
Ariana hurriedly accessed the surveillance footage, only to face a surprising realization: She had
neglected to plug in the cameras.
She couldn’t help but laugh at herself for such an oversight. In her haste that day, she had missed a
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmfundamental step.
After meticulously repositioning the cameras, she connected them, ensuring they were plugged in
before exhaling in relief.
But she was still angry about the intruder. From her bag, she pulled out sticky notes, scribbling sharp
messages and strategically placing them on the fridge, coffee table, and bedside table to ensure the
audacious trespasser wouldn’t miss them.
Even after leaving these notes, Ariana’s agitation persisted. The notion that the stranger might return
and occupy her own bed prompted her to wait in the living room for the night, determined to confront
him.
Despite her resolve, the intruder remained elusive. As dawn broke, fatigue set in, leaving Ariana with
shadows under her eyes and no trespasser to confront.