Sadie had even messaged her earlier on WhatsApp, asking Skylar to return to the Williams residence and offer them an apology. Then, they would arrange for her to be sent overseas. With that message, they had extinguished whatever fragile familial bond Skylar had left for them.
A few minutes later, just as she was about to turn off the lights and settle into bed, Skylar felt a thirst that couldn’t be ignored. She grabbed her cup and headed downstairs.
To her surprise, she found Joe in the kitchen, casually dressed in gray. His relaxed posture was a stark contrast to the cold, distant persona he usually projected. The easy way he carried himself tonight made him look almost… approachable. There was something about the soft gleam in his eyes that could disarm anyone who crossed his path.
Skylar couldn’t help but pause for a moment, watching him. His presence filled the room in a way that made it hard to ignore.
“You’re back?” Joe’s voice cut through her thoughts as he noticed her standing there. He held a cup in his hand, the warm scent of tea drifting toward her.
Skylar blinked, momentarily snapping out of her trance. “Yeah, I’m back,” she replied, moving to pour herself a glass of water. Her eyes briefly flicked toward his cup. “Is that tea?”
“Yes,” Joe answered, his gaze lingering on her.
“Do you still have work to do?” Skylar asked, though a part of her wondered if it was better to remind him about his insomnia. But she held her tongue—if anyone knew what worked for his sleep, it would be him.
Joe looked at her with those steady, probing eyes. “I do,” he said simply.
Skylar gave a small nod. “I won’t keep you then. Good night.” She grabbed her cup and turned toward the stairs, ready to retreat to the safety of her room.
Just as she was about to reach the second floor, she heard Joe’s voice again, this time more deliberate. “Do you have anything you want to say?”
Skylar froze mid-step. She hadn’t expected him to ask. She turned back to face him, her expression softening into something almost amused.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to wake up early to visit Grandma tomorrow,” she said, keeping her tone light. “I’ll go in the afternoon instead. And just a gentle reminder—drinking tea at night really does affect your sleep.”
With that, she continued up the last few steps, disappearing into her room.
Joe stood still, his gaze fixed on the door she had just closed. He frowned slightly, his mind racing. Skylar had acted like nothing had happened at all, like she wasn’t burdened by anything. The calm, almost indifferent way she’d dismissed him left him wondering if she was pretending—acting strong when, deep down, she might be struggling.
He glanced down at his cup. The tea leaves still floated inside, untouched, the scent thick in the air. It wasn’t the tea that helped him—it was the ritual of it, the act of settling his restless mind. But tonight, even the tea couldn’t quell his unease.
Joe placed the cup down and turned toward the stairs. He reached his room’s door, but just as he was about to open it, Skylar’s door creaked open. For a split second, her face appeared, framed in the doorway—pure, alluring, and a little uncertain.
Joe’s gaze softened for just a moment, his thoughts spinning. Was she about to ask him for help? Earlier, she had played the part of the strong, unaffected woman, but he wondered if that was just a facade.
“Hold on, Mr. Martin,” Skylar’s voice interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back into the moment.
Before he could respond, she disappeared back into her room. Joe stood still for a few seconds, brow slightly raised, curiosity now piqued. How would she approach him? What was she about to ask?
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