When Charlie returned home, the living room lights were on, but the apartment was dead silent.
He headed for the study, and sure enough, Emily was still there.
She had fallen asleep at her desk. The computer was still running, and the desk was littered with draft paper. The pen still in her hand had left a faint indent on her cheek, making him feel a surge of tenderness and amusement.
Charlie shut down the computer and scooped her up into his arms.
Emily leaned into his shoulder dependently, mumbling with her eyes closed, "Charlie..."
"I'll take you to bed," Charlie murmured in response.
Back in the master bedroom, Charlie laid her on the bed and kissed her cheek.
"I'm going to take a shower. Go back to sleep."
He dimmed the bedside lamp, slipped out of his suit jacket, and headed for the bathroom, loosening his tie as he went.
When he returned, Emily was in the exact same position, sound asleep.
Knowing how exhausted she'd been lately, Charlie didn't disturb her. He turned off the lights and settled into bed.
The room plunged into darkness. The moment Charlie closed his eyes, he felt Emily roll over and wrap her arms around him.
With her soft, warm body pressing against him, Charlie was instantly wide awake.
Emily kept burrowing into his chest, her small hands tugging at the belt of his bathrobe...
Charlie's breathing hitched. He flipped them over, taking the dominant position, lifted her chin, and kissed her deeply.
*
In the end, Emily never told Charlie that she had gone to the banquet that night.
She had seen Waters Earwood, and she had seen Melina Marsh, who had just returned. Instead of mustering the courage to step forward and claim her territory, she had "fled in defeat," which made her despise herself.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
May we please have updates. Thank you....
Wow.. finally they're married now. I thought there will be another separation....
Thank you for the updates of Emily and Charlie. It seem that Orval may knows of Amelia and may be helping Emily get around her,...
Waiting for updates..thank you...
More updates please. Thank you...
This was so exciting, from the demise of Evelyn and her departure; to Sylvia’s and Gabriel’ confession of their love, commitment and marriage to one another. Thank you for the updates…I’m loving it!...
Wow...Victory dance 💃💃 finally what we have all been waiting for. Just love the way it is progressing. Cant wait for more and more updates...
Thank you for the updates..♥️...
Estelle and Jonathan re enters the plot. Cant wait to read more of them...
Awaiting updates..thank you...