I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 144

"Maybe Gwen figured out we were eavesdropping and is mentally cursing me out right now."

Sophie rubbed her nose again. As the old superstition went: one sneeze meant someone was thinking of you, two meant someone was cursing you, and three meant you were actually sick. Someone was definitely cursing her.

"Who could possibly have the heart to curse you?"

His sweet words made her heart flutter, and she couldn't suppress a happy giggle.

During the drive back, Sophie sneezed twice more.

Gavin shut off the air conditioning and rolled down the back windows to let the warm evening breeze circulate through the car.

He had originally planned on asking her to stay over at his place tonight.

She had been so radiant and joyful all day; her laughter alone had made his pulse race. The tension in that private booth had been electric.

But now, seeing her under the weather, he couldn't bear to keep her up.

When he dropped her off at her door, he made sure to remind her again. "Drink some extra water and go to bed early."

"You're such a nag," she mumbled affectionately.

Looking at her soft, pouting lips, Gavin couldn't resist leaning in for another kiss.

"You know, there's a theory that if you pass a cold on to someone else right at the start, you'll instantly feel better," he whispered against her ear.

He whispered in Sophie's ear.

"Your parents are arriving in two days. How are you going to entertain them if you're sick?" Sophie scolded his reckless logic.

"They're mostly coming to see you anyway. As long as you're fine, it doesn't matter."

She shot him a teasing, exasperated look.

That look completely undid him, and he pulled her in to kiss her again.

If he kept this up, he knew he wouldn't be able to leave. "Get inside. I'll see you tomorrow."

After taking a hot shower, Sophie sneezed two more times. Even though she didn't genuinely feel sick, she mixed herself a mug of herbal cold medicine just in case.

Meeting Gavin's parents was a huge deal; she wanted to leave a flawless impression, and showing up sick was definitely not an option.

She typed out her work schedule for the upcoming week on her phone while waiting for her mother to get home.

She had completely forgotten to mention a crucial detail last night—Gavin's parents were visiting for the Midsummer Holiday.

When Sarah heard the news, panic immediately set in.

"Are we supposed to invite them over? Will our apartment seem too shabby?"

Sophie smiled and nodded. "Honestly, since I started dating him, my luck has completely turned around. Everything is just falling into place."

"That's all that matters. That's all that matters." Seeing her daughter's radiant smile, Sarah couldn't help but gently cup her cheek.

She hoped all the luck she had missed out on in her own life would be bestowed upon her daughter. She was willing to endure any punishment, as long as Sophie found true happiness.

Right before climbing into bed, Sophie let out another massive sneeze.

This was getting ridiculous. She was starting to get annoyed.

She got up in the dark to grab a tissue and promptly stubbed her toe on the desk leg. She hissed as a sharp spike of agony shot up her foot.

Flicking on the lamp, she inspected the damage. The nail on her big toe was already bruising purple. Not wanting to wake her mother, she gritted her teeth and crawled back into bed, a sudden, inexplicable sense of dread settling heavily in her chest.

Miles away, Luke was experiencing an even deeper sense of dread.

His jaw was locked tight as he stared out the train window into the pitch-black night. Occasional flashes of passing lights did nothing to ease his racing mind; instead, they only dragged him deeper into the abyss.

"You really have to see the absolute worst before you'll believe it, don't you?" Eileen sneered from the seat beside him.

Luke didn't move, nor did he dignify her with a response. His hands were curled into white-knuckled fists, the veins bulging starkly against his skin.

He didn't believe a single word she had said. But until he uncovered the truth himself, the horrific doubts would continue to eat him alive.