The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 389

Before heading off to Marina Island, Lavinia brought in all the clothes drying on the balcony and carefully folded them one by one.

Downstairs, Charley had already packed the snacks and drinks for the road. After waiting a while without seeing her come down, he headed upstairs to check on her.

Lavinia was standing with her back to him between the clotheslines, staring blankly at the endless sea of city rooftops.

The plain-colored dresses hanging on the lines fluttered gently behind her in the breeze.

Charley pulled out his phone and quietly snapped a picture of her back.

Lavinia stood there peacefully for a moment before slowly turning around, her eyes unexpectedly locking onto Charley's.

Her eyes crinkled into a bright, childlike smile.

After Lavinia finished gathering the laundry and went back to the bedroom to fold it, Charley stood by her vanity, picked up a pen, and jotted something down on a sticky note.

"What are you writing?" she asked, walking over.

"Just a sudden burst of inspiration. A little thought," he replied.

Lavinia picked up the sticky note. It read:

*Like a poem, leaping gracefully over the clothesline.*

She read the words over a few times, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. "You wrote this?"

Charley smiled.

Treating it like a precious treasure, Lavinia folded the note into a tiny paper heart and tucked it safely into the inner pocket of her wallet.

"Are you all packed? It's time to hit the road," he said.

Lavinia double-checked her packing list, ticking off the last few boxes. Smiling, she said, "Got everything. Let's go."

There were three main reasons for this trip to Marina Island.

First, her uncle's custom-tailored radiopharmaceuticals had been prepped, and he was about to start his first round of treatment. Her aunt was incredibly nervous, so Lavinia and Saul planned to stay in Marina Island to keep them company.

"They only make a few hundred of these a year globally, and you have to order it by paying the entire amount upfront." Saul crossed his arms, looking him up and down. "You really love showing off, don't you? What, trying to flex for your future in-laws?"

Charley ignored the banter and turned to Lavinia. "Lavinia, ride with me. It'll be more comfortable."

Lavinia glanced at Saul.

Saul waved them off. "Go on, go on. The guy's finally stopped pretending to be broke, we have to give him his moment."

Lavinia and Charley agreed to keep the car's true ownership a secret from her uncle and aunt for now, just to avoid worrying them.

It wasn't until Lavinia got into the car that she realized the entire backseat was completely stuffed with items.

Supplements, jewelry, and high-end luxury goods were stacked in neat, perfect rows.

"Are you moving out or something?" Lavinia asked, frowning.

"These are gifts for your uncle and aunt," Charley replied.