Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1420

Chapter 1420: Snuggle

Why did Haines show up tonight?

Simple.

Initially, he didn’t have to. Getting away from this arrangement for a day sounded like a treat—at least for a second. It gave him a moment to reflect on himself and his decisions. But as he headed home, something in his mind refused to let him go without a care in the world.

He had put himself in this situation, made her sleep in a car, and instead of facing consequences, he’d received an extension of her understanding. It didn’t sit right with him. So, even though he had skipped her birthday and was already late, he still came to check on her.

Coincidentally, she was still there.

And now, here he was, sitting across from her in the kitchen of her home as she finished her last glass of wine for the night.

"So?" Grace swirled the wine in her glass, resting her chin on her palm. She glanced up at him as he draped his blazer suit over the chair before sitting down. "Won’t you tell me why you came tonight?"

Haines raised a brow and shrugged. "I had an obligation."

"And what exactly is that obligation?" Intrigue flickered in her eyes as she tilted her head slightly.

"The arrangement," he said, clearing his throat. He entertained her, but his tone remained distant. Haines poured himself a glass of wine — just enough to say he had stayed and drank with her before excusing himself.

"What about the arrangement?" A playful smile appeared on her lips as she watched him glance at her. "I remember giving you a pass, didn’t I?"

"And it doesn’t feel right to be rewarded after making you sleep in my car."

"I didn’t know you were a mild masochist for wanting punishments."

Haines paused, setting the bottle aside before meeting her gaze. "It’s not that I seek punishment. However, I feel that I have responsibilities in this arrangement. And I don’t want to owe you."

"Oh." Grace rocked her head slightly, letting out a faint chuckle as her eyes dropped to the wine in her hand. A subtle smile curved her lips as she swirled the liquid. "I see."

Her short answer made his brows furrow in confusion. He watched as she took a long sip, then faced him with a smile.

"I think I’ve had a lot to drink tonight," she said. "After this glass, I’ll definitely crash in bed and get a good night’s rest."

She leaned a little closer to him. "You can stay if you want, but if not, don’t wash the glass. I don’t like mixed signals."

With that, another weak laugh escaped her as she finished the rest of her wine. Hissing in satisfaction, her smile widened before she pushed herself up. She dragged her feet away while Haines remained motionless in his seat.

They had only been here for ten minutes, yet she was already sending him away.

"I said something really stupid, didn’t I?" he asked, making her pause mid-step.

The corner of her lips curled before she looked back at him. "You did."

"Which part?"

"All of it."

"All I said was stupid?"

"That’s what I said." She nodded, strolling back and leaning on the table. Her eyes scanned him before a shallow chuckle escaped her lips. "See me no matter what time of day it is, and I won’t mind. But don’t see me just because you feel like you have to. I told you—I don’t like mixed signals."

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