I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 130

The cool mountain breeze drifted through the open window, but wrapped in Gavin's arms, Sophie didn't feel the chill at all. His body radiated an intense heat that scorched her even through the fabric of his shirt.

"When you cry, you look like a lost little kid. I never know what to do with you." Gavin gently nuzzled his chin against her temple.

The faint stubble on his jaw scratched lightly against her skin, sending a comforting shiver down her spine.

Despite claiming he didn't know what to do with her, he didn't hesitate to sweep her up and carry her into the bathroom.

He told her a hot bath would help her relax.

Lowering herself into the wooden tub, the warm water enveloped her completely. She stretched her arms over the sides, finally letting the tension melt from her muscles.

Without warning, Gavin marched in, volunteering to wash her hair, completely ignoring her protests. He coaxed her to rest her head against the rim of the tub, massaging the shampoo into a thick lather with surprisingly practiced hands.

"Did you do this a lot for your ex-girlfriends?"

Gavin scooped a handful of water and playfully splashed it in her face. "I had a dog when I was a kid. I gave him plenty of baths."

Sophie instantly splashed him back, thoroughly annoyed. "You're the dog!"

Her sudden movement dislodged the towel she had draped over the edge of the tub to cover herself. It slipped straight into the water.

Sophie frantically snatched it up, desperately trying to cover her chest as she glared daggers at him. Sure, she was the one who knocked it in, but Gavin was the one who provoked her.

Watching her panicked attempt at modesty, Gavin just smirked. "A half-hidden masterpiece is always more seductive."

Sophie splashed him again. But after all the chaotic teasing, the heavy sadness that had been suffocating her all evening completely evaporated.

Luke waited outside Sophie's apartment building for hours.

That afternoon, Harold had called him into his office for a private meeting. He had looked Luke in the eye and said, "I hope from now on, you can simply view Eileen as a sister. Protect her, take care of her, but nothing more."

Luke had bowed deeply to the older man. Having finally secured the outcome he desperately needed, he booked the first flight out, desperate to share the news with Sophie.

Now, he could finally give her everything she wanted.

He waited from five o'clock until past nine, but there was no sign of her.

He had tried calling Gwen multiple times, but she had ignored every single call.

Gwen was the only person who could help him reach Sophie, but he knew she despised him.

Luke paced back and forth, his anxiety spiraling as the hours dragged on. With every passing minute, his heart sank deeper into his chest.

It wasn't until he noticed a woman glaring daggers at him that he stopped. Meeting her furious gaze, he instantly recognized her—it was Sophie's mother.

He had only met her once, but the raw, unadulterated hatred in her eyes was identical to the look she was giving him now.

Sarah shoved him, forcing him to stumble back another two steps.

"Please, just let me talk to her. Just let me explain myself."

"We have absolutely nothing to say to you. Get out!" Sarah refused to yield an inch.

"Then I'll just wait here until she gets back," Luke said, his jaw locked in stubborn desperation.

Sarah glared at him, her voice dripping with ice. "Fine. Wait if you want. But I'll tell you right now—she went on vacation with her boyfriend. I have no idea when they'll be back. Have fun waiting."

Sarah turned on her heel and stormed off. Her strides were short but fiercely quick, her spine rigid with lingering fury.

Luke dropped his head, a suffocating weight crushing his chest.

On the plane ride over, he had been burning with anticipation. He had envisioned Sophie rushing back into his arms, burying her face softly against his chest, their misunderstandings dissolving into the past. He truly believed they could go back to the way they were.

But as he waited until the dead of night, Sophie never appeared.

She really was on vacation with Gavin.

He had spent the last few weeks convincing himself that even if Sophie was physically with Gavin, her heart still belonged to him.

But standing alone in the dark, he wasn't so sure anymore.