His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 318

Just past nine o'clock, the estate grew perfectly quiet.

Archer, dressed in dark gray silk loungewear, stood outside the master bedroom. He reached out, grabbed the brass handle, hesitated for a moment, and pressed down.

Click. It didn't budge. The door was locked from the inside.

His movements halted. His towering frame stood frozen in place, the hallway sconces stretching his shadow long and dark against the floor.

After an agonizing silence, he closed his eyes and knocked gently.

"Ginny."

"I'm already asleep." Virginia's cold voice carried through the solid wood. It lacked any strong emotion, but the rejection was crystal clear.

Archer lowered his gaze, his thick lashes masking the profound darkness in his eyes.

He stood there for a long time, so long that the hallway's motion-sensor lights turned off, before finally walking away.

"Mrs. Lewis, please prepare the study."

Mrs. Lewis froze. She glanced at the locked master bedroom door, then at the devastated look on her boss's face, and quickly nodded. "Right away, sir. I'll get it ready."

As she hurried off, Archer frowned slightly and stopped in front of the children's room.

He hesitated, knocked softly, and pushed the door open.

A starry-night projector lamp bathed the room in a dim, soothing glow.

The little girl lay on the massive pink bed, tightly hugging the plush rabbit Archer had given her.

He walked over quietly and sat on the edge of the bed.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he couldn't help but reach out, carefully tucking the light blanket around her.

Sensing the movement, the little girl whimpered softly, rubbed her eyes, and woke up.

"Mr. Archer?"

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