Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2863

The chicken wings in the oven had long since finished cooking, and the soup that once boiled had gone cold. Outside, it sounded like it was raining again—the soft patter only made the atmosphere, already quiet, feel even more peaceful.

Gabriel rose slightly and helped her straighten her clothes, his voice hoarse. “I’ll take care of things here. You go take a shower. Dinner should be ready by the time you’re done.”

Sylvia lazily narrowed her eyes, unwilling to move. “Are you sure you’ll have everything ready by the time I’m out?”

“It’s just two dishes and a soup. Is that enough?” Gabriel asked.

Sylvia said softly, “Grandpa had lunch delivered for me, and there’s plenty left over. We shouldn’t let it go to waste. I’ll heat it up in a bit.”

“Mhm,” Gabriel replied quietly.

He lifted her down from the counter, but Sylvia clung to his lean waist, refusing to let go, her eyes tinged with a faint blush. In a whisper barely above a breath, she said, “I don’t think… I can walk.”

Gabriel let out a low chuckle, then easily swept her up into his arms and carried her toward the master bathroom.

*

By the time they finished dinner, it was already ten o’clock at night.

Gabriel came out of the shower to find Sylvia sitting on the balcony. She wore a thin nightgown, her loose, wavy hair draped over her shoulders. The damp night breeze drifted in, making her hair flutter softly and revealing glimpses of her delicate, fair shoulders beneath it.

She seemed to be watching the rain intently. In the dim light, her soft, slender silhouette was traced in gentle lines, lending her an inexplicable air of quiet solitude.

Gabriel walked over and sat down beside her on the floor. “Working late is a pretty good excuse, but Georgia and Old Mr. Quintin both know you’re just avoiding going home.”

Sylvia turned to look at him. His eyes were dark and clear, as if able to see straight through her.

She bit her lip. “You were right before—I really don’t handle sudden changes in my life very well.”

Gabriel’s gaze deepened. He drew her into his arms, his long fingers gently smoothing her cheek, his voice soft and low. “Don’t take other people’s kindness as a burden. Love between family isn’t something you need to repay. Just accepting it, openly, is the best response you can give.”

Sylvia felt as if there was nowhere to hide when Gabriel looked at her—he understood her too well, knew her thoughts and feelings inside out.

A smile lit up Sylvia’s striking features. Leaning against him, she gave a lazy, gentle laugh. “If someone trained by Gab weren’t exceptional, it would ruin Gab’s reputation across Tripe!”

“Smart mouth,” Gabriel scolded softly.

Sylvia’s smile only became more radiant, her eyes even more dazzling at the corners.

Gabriel’s voice turned serious. “No more hiding. Tomorrow, you’re going home. Some things, you just have to get used to. You like Georgia, don’t you? Then consider her feelings, too. If you keep avoiding home, how do you think she and Old Mr. Quintin will feel?”

Sylvia lowered her lashes and stayed quiet.

Gabriel shot her a glance. “I’ll go back with you.”

Only then did Sylvia’s lips lift in a small, subtle smile. She pressed her lips together to hide it, and murmured softly,

“All right.”