From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 136

“Go upstairs, wash up, and change into something comfy. I’ll ask Elin to make you a bowl of noodles.”

“Okay, wait for me. I’ll be quick.”

Adolphus leaned down and kissed the corner of Laurinda’s lips, then straightened up and headed upstairs.

When he reached his room, he realized his things were missing from the guest room.

“Laurinda, where’s my stuff?”

“I moved it next to my room.”

Laurinda had expected him to be confused and couldn’t help but smile.

After coming home, she’d suddenly felt like doing something nice for him. So she moved all his things up to the third floor and even had some new loungewear delivered.

She wasn’t sure why, but she just wanted to treat Adolphus a little better.

When Adolphus realized he’d been moved right into Laurinda’s personal space, he felt a thrill of happiness. Did this mean she was starting to accept him? Maybe the day she’d officially let him in wasn’t so far away.

After his shower, Adolphus came downstairs wearing the comfortable clothes Laurinda had picked out for him. He kept touching the fabric, quietly soaking in this little bit of happiness.

Laurinda was already in the kitchen. She had a small bowl of noodles in front of her and across the table was a larger bowl, along with a few light side dishes.

“Hurry up, or the noodles will get mushy.”

Laurinda waved him over, urging him to eat before the food got cold.

Adolphus sat down across from her and took the chopsticks she handed him.

“Try it. Elin makes the best noodles. When I was a kid and got sick, she’d always make me this.”

Laurinda slurped up a mouthful, looking completely satisfied. She could never get tired of these noodles, no matter how many times she had them. Even on a full stomach, she could manage another bowl.

After eating, Adolphus pulled Laurinda into his arms as they curled up together on the couch.

“Are you really not coming back to Cabinda with me?”

“No, I’m not. I don’t celebrate Christmas. Honestly, it feels like any other day to me.”

Adolphus looked at her, his eyes soft. She was getting more and more comfortable being close to him. He scooped her up from the sofa and carried her upstairs.

***

The next morning, Adolphus came back from his run and was surprised to find York having breakfast in the dining room. He hadn’t seen him at all the day before.

“You just got here?”

“No, I came back with Laurinda yesterday afternoon. We’re not staying in the main house, so you probably just missed me. Want to join me for breakfast? We could chat.”

“Sure, let me just change first.”

Adolphus ran upstairs, took a quick shower, and changed his clothes before coming back down.

As he walked into the dining room, the butler hurried off to the kitchen. Soon after, a fresh plate of breakfast landed in front of him.

Adolphus thanked him, picked up a piece of scallion pancake, and took a bite. “So, what did you want to talk about?”