Eleven Years All to the Wrong Man novel Chapter 203

“Are you tired, Mr. Cooper?”

Melissa straightened her disheveled clothes and slowly slid off the bed. His scent still lingered on her from their embrace.

She walked over to him and looked up, her eyes filled with concern and worry.

Evan had dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of severe sleep deprivation.

She didn’t know what had happened to him, but right now, all she wanted was to stay here with him.

“You should get some rest. I won’t disturb you.”

Evan opened his mouth to speak as he looked at the girl before him. Her lips were bright red and still glistening from their kiss.

Perhaps it was the worry in her eyes, but a flicker of compassion stirred within him. He suddenly felt an impulse to ask her to stay, but…

Another thought stopped him. Evan lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes, and simply nodded before walking back to the bed.

He pulled back the covers, lay down, and completely ignored her, as if she were invisible.

Melissa stood frozen for a moment, tears welling in her eyes again. Despite the ache in her heart, she quietly left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

The sound of footsteps moved to the adjacent room, then back out. A moment later, the front door clicked shut.

She was gone.

In the dark room, Evan’s eyes opened. He didn’t move. He just lay there, staring into the darkness, lost in thought.

***

Eric Hayes was lying on his bed, absorbed in a game on his phone. He just shouted in the direction of the door.

Emma opened it and walked in.

Seeing it was his sister, Eric glanced up for a second before his eyes darted back to his screen. “What’s up, sis?” he asked, his thumbs still flying. “Need your little bro for something?”

Emma frowned slightly. Every time she had seen Eric during this visit, he had been playing games. With him being almost a senior, she couldn't help but worry.

She walked over, picked up a pillow from the floor, dusted it off, and placed it back on the sofa. “You’re almost a senior,” she said while tidying up. “Why are you still playing games? Aren’t you stressed at all?”

“Hey, what’s there to be stressed about?” Eric said nonchalantly. “Being stressed doesn’t help. It just makes me miserable for no reason and does nothing for my grades.”

He had a point, but Emma’s intention was to remind him to focus so he could get into college on his first try and avoid the stress of repeating a year.