Ten Days to Leave My Stepbrother (Beatrice) novel Chapter 20

**Across Quiet Meadows Rise Dreams Waiting For Their Moment 20**

**Chapter 20**

The statement Greyson had just made hung in the air, leaving Beatrice momentarily speechless, as if the world around her had paused for a heartbeat. She was taken aback by how quickly he had discerned the complexities of Maverick’s character and the intricacies of his behavior after only one brief encounter. It was astonishing to her that he would take it upon himself to offer her protection, a gesture that felt both unexpected and profoundly reassuring.

Yet, deep down, she recognized the validity of his concerns. Maverick was not one to let a slight go unaddressed; she could already envision him plotting his next move, waiting for an opportunity to ensnare her once again. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Greyson’s worries were not unfounded; they were rooted in a reality that she had come to know all too well.

After a moment of contemplation, Beatrice nodded slowly, coming to a decision. “You’re right, Greyson. I’ll make sure to let you know before I go out in the future.”

A look of relief washed over Greyson’s face, and he nodded in appreciation, his expression softening. Only then did he extend his hand to her, guiding her upstairs with a newfound sense of camaraderie.

As they reached the top of the stairs and pushed open the door to the living room, a sudden explosion of sound erupted. Lilith, with a gleeful grin plastered across her face, was popping party poppers with exuberance.

“Surprise! Let’s give a warm welcome to Bex in London!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with excitement.

Beatrice felt her heart race as the unexpected noise startled her. She nearly lost her balance at the threshold, but Greyson was quick to react. He reached out, steadying her with a firm grip, and gently brushed the colorful confetti from her hair, a small but thoughtful gesture that made her heart flutter.

As her gaze swept across the room, she noticed a group of strikingly attractive foreigners with blond hair and piercing blue eyes, their laughter filling the space with a lightness that was almost palpable. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn’t help but voice her curiosity. “Who are they?”

Greyson’s lips curled into a subtle smile, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters. People should always look ahead; there’s no need to dwell on what’s already been settled.”

His words struck a chord within her, sending ripples of emotion through her heart. She turned to him, surprise flickering in her eyes, and felt an urge to delve deeper into conversation. “Before I came to the UK, I thought you would be difficult to get along with. I had planned to keep my distance. But now, after just a day and a half, you’ve become my most trusted and closest friend here in London. It’s truly remarkable.”

A warm smile spread across Greyson’s face, clearly pleased by her words. “It’s my honor to have your approval,” he said, his voice sincere. “As for our limited chats on WhatsApp before, it was mainly due to the time difference. I didn’t want to disrupt your rest. Besides, I felt that some things couldn’t be properly conveyed online, so I wanted to wait until you arrived to discuss everything in person. That’s why I didn’t send many messages.”

So that was the reason.

Beatrice finally grasped the reason behind his seemingly distant demeanor in their earlier conversations. He had been overthinking things, trying to navigate the complexities of their new friendship. It was just like him to consider every angle, to be thoughtful in his approach.