Free Web NovelChapter 180: Do you want to sleep with me?
Adelyn didn’t want to see him as a victim, because the moment she did, she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep searching for an escape.
But every time she saw him so devoted to his role ... she couldn’t help it.
Especially when he acted so gentle toward her.
"Mr. Warren," she said softly, clearing her throat almost imperceptibly, "did you have your dinner?"
Dylan looked at her and nodded.
The camera was still in Eira’s hands, so even though Adelyn was speaking to Dylan, she could see him in the background —seated with his laptop open, a few files scattered around him.
"If you’re busy ..." her gaze flickered briefly toward his work before she continued, "I won’t disturb you."
However—
He shook his head. "You aren’t disturbing me."
Adelyn paused, unsure of what to say next.
Of course, she wasn’t disturbing him. But couldn’t he tell she was using that as an excuse to step away?
Pressing her lips into a thin line, she searched for another way out—
Then said, "Eira must be feeling sleepy. How about I say her good night first?"
The moment she said that, Eira turned the camera toward herself, her eyes wide with urgency.
"Mama, Eira isn’t sleepy," she said quickly, clearly trying to hold on to her time.
Adelyn understood her intention. But she still said gently, "Baby, it’s getting late. You should sleep. And if we stay on the call, your father might get disturbed. He’s working there, sitting with you. You can’t disturb him, can you?"
Eira pouted.
Her eyes darted toward her father, silently blaming him.
If only he hadn’t scared Mama, she wouldn’t be trying to end the call so quickly.
Dylan, of course, read his daughter’s thoughts clearly.
"If you want your Mama to tell you a story, tell her," he said calmly.
Adelyn was taken aback for a moment. freёwebnoѵel.com
A story?
Eira didn’t fully understand either —but she pouted slightly. She simply wanted to talk to her Mama a little longer. Story or not ... it didn’t matter.
Dylan placed his laptop aside and stood up, walking over to her.
He didn’t come into full view of the camera, but Adelyn saw his hand gently come to rest on the girl’s head, stroking her hair.
"If you want something from someone," she heard him say softly, "you need to let them know. Your Mama won’t understand what you want unless you tell her. Being afraid of refusal all the time might take away your chances of being heard. Be brave. Didn’t your Mama tell you that too?"
Adelyn felt flustered.
She had told Eira to be brave —and she would say it again.
But she hadn’t expected Dylan to repeat her own words back so soon.
Now ... could she even refuse?
It had already been difficult to turn the girl down —and his words had only made it harder. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Eira slowly turned back to the camera. Looking at Adelyn, she asked softly,
"Mama, can you tell Eira a bedtime story?"
Adelyn had already anticipated it.
Looking at her, she asked gently, "You want to hear one?"
The little girl nodded eagerly. "Eira has never heard a bedtime story before."
And just like that —refusal became impossible.
It was such a small request.
Nothing extravagant.
How could she deny it?
So, she agreed.
Smiling, she nodded. "Alright, I’ll tell you one, then."
Eira’s face lit up instantly ...
Seeing that smile on her face, Adelyn felt her heart soften. Then she added gently,
"But before I begin, you need to lie down comfortably and get ready to sleep. And promise me —if you start feeling sleepy while listening, you won’t fight it. You’ll sleep. I’ll tell you the rest of the story another day."
Eira nodded without hesitation.
She immediately obeyed, climbing into bed and settling herself under the covers.
Adelyn waited patiently as she got comfortable.
Just then—
Dylan stepped into view and took the tablet from Eira’s hands, carefully adjusting it against a cushion so it faced her at the right angle.
Now, she could see Adelyn clearly even while lying down.
Adelyn watched him, then said softly, "Mr. Warren, this might disturb you ... but I’ll try to keep my voice low."
He looked at her and shook his head slowly, slipping a hand into his pocket.
"Don’t worry," he said, "my concentration isn’t that fragile."
And with that, he stepped away.
Adelyn assumed he had returned to work and didn’t dwell on it further.
Turning her attention back to Eira, she smiled.
Then suddenly, something crossed her mind, and she said with a hint of excitement,
"Baby... do you want to sleep with me?"
Eira’s eyes sparkled immediately, and she nodded eagerly.
Adelyn had expected that reaction. Since she had already come this far, she wanted to make it even more special for her.
"Wait ... I have an idea," Adelyn said, moving quickly.
She adjusted the pillows and cushions on her bed, then positioned her own device just like Dylan had —propped against the cushion so the screen faced her.
Once everything was set, she lay down on her side, facing the screen.
It was almost like they were sleeping next to each other with just a thin wall of the phone screen in between.
"See?" she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "Now I’m right next to you."
Eira watched her, completely absorbed.
"Even if we’re not in the same place," Adelyn continued gently, "we’re still close, aren’t we?"
She smiled faintly. "When you fall asleep, I’ll sleep too. And, when you wake up tomorrow morning, you’ll still see me."
The girl nodded happily.
Adelyn smiled in return.
After a brief pause, she asked softly,
"Alright ... now tell me, what kind of story do you want? A fairytale?"
Eira hadn’t thought about it —but she nodded anyway.
Adelyn tapped her chin lightly, thinking.
"Okay ... then let me see which princess would be best to start with ..." she murmured.
Then, with a small smile, she asked—
"Shall we begin with Thumbelina?"
