Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 3

The sound of a car pulling up outside interrupted them.

Stephanie didn't say more and hung up.-

A few minutes later, Quennel pushed open the door.

The sound of his light footsteps grew closer, stopping right behind her.

Then, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and her waist was pulled in tight.

"Stephanie…" Quennel’s lips gently brushed her hair, his voice low and raspy. "Honey, I missed you so much."

The night air was damp and cold, and the chill Quennel brought in with him made Stephanie flinch.

She remained stiff and motionless.

"Still mad? I spent the whole day running around for you. I just went to the outskirts of the city to look for you, but you weren't there…"

Despite being played, Quennel showed no anger. Instead, he playfully tapped the tip of her nose. "Stephanie, don't be so mischievous next time."

Stephanie’s lips trembled.

Right. So mischievous she almost got herself killed.

Fifty kilometers outside the city—a round trip of maybe an hour—had taken Quennel a full day and night.

By the time he came to her rescue, she would have already been reincarnated.

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Stephanie asked, "Victoria was in a car accident? Was she badly hurt?"

Quennel paused, then quickly said, "Why are you bringing up another woman when we're together?"

He flexed his core, his powerful forearms lifting Stephanie effortlessly onto his lap.

He cradled the back of her head with his palm and, overcome with emotion, leaned in to kiss her lips.

Stephanie hesitated for a moment, then turned her head to avoid him.

"What's wrong?" Quennel looked puzzled, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "First time jitters? Don't be nervous, I'll be gentle."

Countless times, Stephanie had lost herself in his eyes, a gaze that seemed to hold deep affection for whomever it landed on. Right now, it was filled with a desperate longing for her.

If it weren't for the faint scent on him that wasn't hers, Stephanie would have gladly given herself to him.

But now, all she felt was disgust.

He had probably just climbed out of Victoria's bed.

Wasn't that filthy?

The air around her felt suffocating. Stephanie asked, "Quennel, did you ever love me?"

Quennel froze for a second, his eyes filled with deep emotion. "Of course."

Stephanie jabbed a slender, pale finger at his chest. "Then explain why you smell like Victoria."

Quennel stiffened, his expression turning unnatural. He raised his arm and sniffed his sleeve.

For a moment, she almost wondered if she had misunderstood Quennel.

Maybe she was just being insecure, overthinking things. Maybe there really was nothing between Quennel and Victoria.

But twenty minutes later…Quennel’s phone rang.

"Are you crazy! Who told you to come to the house?"

He lowered his voice, glanced at the bed, and hurried outside.

Downstairs, outside the main door, Victoria stood with a hurt expression.

"Quennel, I overheard you on the phone with your assistant, so I brought your gift over for you."

Quennel took the box and placed it on a table.

Victoria’s eyes reddened. "Quennel, my wound hurts so much I can't sleep. She's asleep anyway, so can you come back to the hospital and stay with me? Please?"

Hearing this from her place on the stairs, Stephanie couldn't help but laugh. "Victoria, how exactly do you want him to stay with you? Should he give you a massage? Or hold you while you sleep? Why don't you come on up? I'll let you have the bed for your performance."

Her sudden voice seemed to startle the two downstairs.

Quennel turned, and the moment he saw Stephanie, his face changed dramatically.

Stephanie turned back to her room and slammed the door with a loud bang.

Victoria was sent away.