Chapter 101

chapter101

Skylar thought of Jeremy, whom she had met before; he had always doted on Natalie. She concluded that the previous encounter was likely just a coincidence.

Joe’s face darkened when he saw Skylar stop suddenly. The sound of her hesitation seemed to linger in the air, grating on his nerves. Seeing her standing rooted to the spot at the door, he suddenly wondered if she was waiting for him.

Joe composed himself, his thoughts drifting to her possible intentions. He picked up the glass next to him and took a few sips of water, his gaze coolly sweeping over Skylar. Even in her current state, her presence was undeniable. He wondered, with a touch of cynicism, if her lingering was a deliberate attempt to catch his attention.

“What’s wrong?” Joe asked indifferently.

His cold voice cut through the air like a night breeze. Skylar only came back to her senses when she felt the sudden chill. She turned to look at him. “I just suddenly thought of something. It’s nothing. Goodnight.”

She immediately grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself, and retreated into the villa before rushing back to the safety of her room.

After showering and drying her hair, she prepared for bed. However, a lingering thirst took hold the moment she lay down. There was no water in her room, and the time spent in the hot spring earlier had left her dehydrated. She realized she needed to get some water.

She opened the door and walked out toward the kitchen. Inside the fridge, she found a variety of beverages, water, and even some alcohol. Since she wasn’t a fan of sugary drinks, she simply grabbed a bottle of mineral water.

As she closed the fridge and took a few refreshing sips, she felt her thirst vanish instantly. But just as she turned to leave, she bumped into a hard, solid surface.

“Ahh!” She gasped, taking a startled step back. Before she could lose her balance, a firm hand caught her by the waist.

Under the dim kitchen light, Skylar met a pair of dark, intense eyes. “Mr. Martin!”

Surprised by his sudden presence, she realized she had bumped directly into his chest. Joe released his grip around her waist slowly. Her sleepwear was baggy, intentionally concealing her silhouette. Yet, having seen her earlier, Joe knew the strength and grace hidden beneath the loose fabric. He couldn't help but notice how slender her waist felt in that brief moment.

“I’m here to grab some water,” Joe said, his voice slightly hoarse.

Skylar nodded quickly and moved to the side. “There’s still plenty inside. May I go back to my room?”

Joe glanced at her. “Okay.”

Skylar had barely taken a few steps when Joe’s voice stopped her again. “Are you still thinking about your ex-boyfriend?”

Skylar frowned at the question. Christopher had hurt her deeply, and she had vowed never to fall for someone so easily again. Her voice was cold as she replied, “Mr. Martin, he’s my ex-boyfriend, as you said.”

Christopher didn’t deserve a place in her heart. To her, a man like him was no better than a ghost from a past she wished to bury.

Joe raised an eyebrow. He believed that the more one hated someone, the more it proved they still cared. He could feel the genuine bitterness in her voice, but in his mind, that only meant Christopher still occupied a corner of her thoughts. He reached for a cigarette as the realization settled, his expression unreadable in the shadows.