From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 321

Laurinda almost burst out laughing at what Adolphus said, but underneath the amusement, she felt a wave of warmth. He wasn’t just dropping his guard for her, he was doing things she never expected.

“I got this red string from Cupid’s Chapel. Will you put it on me?”

Adolphus stretched out his wrist toward her, his eyes shining with hope.

She met his gaze and realized there was no way she could say no. Truthfully, she didn’t want to. She took the red string, rolled it between her fingers, and tied it into a neat lover’s knot before slipping it onto his wrist.

“What about mine? Are you going to put one on me too?”

Adolphus watched her, his eyes glued to her pale wrist. His smile was wide and a little goofy as he said, “Once you wear my red string, you belong to me. For life.”

Laurinda picked up another red string and quickly wove a matching bracelet, placing it into his hand. “You already put down a deposit on me. I’ve been yours for a while now. I couldn’t run even if I wanted to, and honestly, I don’t. You’re great. I really like you.”

Adolphus froze for a second as he tried to put the bracelet on her. It hit him then—it was the first time Laurinda had ever said she liked him. His heart skipped a beat.

“Say it again. Tell me you like me.”

“I really like you. I mean, really, really like you.”

Laurinda said it again and again, patient as ever. Adolphus finished tying the bracelet on her wrist, then leaned in close, his voice soft in her ear. “I love you.”

Love. Laurinda felt her heart thump. That word felt heavy, but her feelings for Adolphus had definitely grown past just “liking” him. Was this what love felt like?

“Looks like I’m falling for you too.”

Adolphus hadn’t expected her to say it back, not so soon. He knew Laurinda could be guarded with her feelings, so just hearing her say “I like you” was more than enough for him.

But now, hearing her say she loved him, he could barely contain himself. He pulled her into his arms and murmured in her ear, “Laurinda, Cupid’s Chapel really works.”

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