Chapter 208

Evelyn watched as Adrian's ears turned from pale to pink, then deepened into crimson. The transformation happened impossibly fast, like someone had spilled paint across his face.

"Must be the air conditioning." Adrian turned away, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

She quickly adjusted the temperature. "Better now?"

"Much."

......

After dropping Evelyn off, Adrian remembered the unrecorded lab data and turned his car back toward the research institute.

Evelyn collapsed onto her sofa, the adrenaline fading into exhaustion. Staring at the ceiling, she replayed the car scene in her mind.

The lingering sensation of Adrian's slender fingers gently tousling her hair remained. That cautious tenderness, as if afraid of breaking something precious.

Maybe he really was encouraging her.

But nothing more.

The water stain on the ceiling glared under the light. No matter how much wallpaper covered it, the previous tenant's cigarette burns and mold patches always revealed themselves at certain angles.

Just like the ugly corners of her heart.

Better to maintain a safe distance than risk discovery and disgust.

Evelyn pressed a hand to her chest.

Good. Her heartbeat had steadied.

She headed to the shower.

A hot bath and a long sleep. Tomorrow would be a new day. If tomorrow proved too difficult, there was always the day after. One day at a time—she'd endure.

......

That weekend, Evelyn finally had time to catch a movie with Sophia.

The Lunar New Year comedy was packed. Evelyn clutched the popcorn bucket while Sophia shrieked at a cameo appearance.

"Two seconds! I spent two hundred grand in gifts for two seconds!" Sophia wailed, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "But damn, he's gorgeous, right?"

Evelyn nodded. "Quite handsome."

"Want his number?" Sophia's eyes sparkled. "He's filming a new series—"

"No thanks." Evelyn shook her head. "Too young."

Sophia leaned in. "Oh? So you prefer the mature type?"

Evelyn pushed her away. "Don't be ridiculous."

Her heartbeat stuttered.