The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1559

Kenneth’s heart nearly stopped when he saw Emily suddenly appear behind him. She wore just a thin layer of clothes, her face looking a little pale, her eyes locked on him like he might disappear if she blinked.

For a second, he wondered if he was just seeing things, missing her so much he’d started hallucinating. He dug his fingers into his thigh—hard—just to check.

Ouch. Definitely not a dream.

“Emily, you…” His whole body went stiff. He stared at her, brain completely blank, struggling to believe she was actually there.

“Are you always this… relaxed at home?” Her voice was light, but he caught the way her throat tightened as she said it. Maybe she was more nervous than she let on.

It took her teasing to snap him back to reality. Kenneth looked down at himself, realizing he was only wearing his boxers. His hair was sticking up in every direction, and he looked like a complete mess. He wasn’t sure whether to cover his chest or his hips, so his hands just kind of hovered midair in a panic.

“Wait, Emily, hold on!” He dove for a throw pillow, clutching it to his lower half, then gave her a sheepish grin before he hurried off toward the stairs. He was moving so fast he tripped, stumbled, and nearly wiped out more than once, barefoot all the way.

Watching him run, Emily couldn’t help breaking into a bright, genuine smile. It spread across her face, so warm and full of light, but then the laughter caught in her throat and her eyes prickled with sudden tears.

A few minutes later, Kenneth came back downstairs. This time, he’d thrown on real clothes—soft, comfortable loungewear. Emily was curled up on the sofa, waiting quietly. When he caught her gaze, she gave him the sweetest little smile, the kind that made his chest feel weirdly soft and weightless.

He sped up, making his way over to her. “What brings you over so late?” he asked, sitting down beside her. His hand lifted like he wanted to pull her in for a hug, but all he ended up doing was tucking a stray piece of hair back behind her ear. He rested his palm against her back, voice gentle. “Did Norma let you leave?”

Emily nodded, watching him in a way that felt deeper than words. Her eyes were so clear and bright he thought he might just fall into them.

She didn’t say more and Kenneth didn’t push. He smiled, keeping his voice low. “Did you need something from me?”

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