Free Web NovelChapter 268: Chapter 268
"Just to the door is fine," Suzy said.
Liam nodded and walked her out with Noah, accompanying her to the stairwell.
"Bye, Suzy."
Noah’s face was filled with reluctant sadness.
Smiling, Suzy ruffled his hair.
"Bye. I’ll come visit again when I have time."
Then she looked at Liam.
"I’m heading back. Contact me anytime if you need anything."
Liam held her gaze for a long moment.
"Alright."
Suzy turned and headed upstairs.
Liam and Noah remained where they were, silently watching her leave.
Just before reaching the landing around the corner, Suzy stopped and glanced back.
Her eyes met theirs once more.
The two brothers stood side by side in the doorway. Liam had an arm around Noah’s shoulders as they looked at her without moving.
For a brief moment, Suzy felt that strange sense of disorientation again.
That bizarre feeling of being someone who was abandoning a husband and child. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
...It was ridiculous.
Suppressing the odd sensation, she looked away and continued climbing the stairs.
Only after she had completely disappeared from sight did Liam pat Noah lightly on the shoulder.
"Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here. She’s already gone home."
Noah sighed.
"I really don’t want Suzy to leave."
Liam sighed as well. "Neither do I."
Unfortunately, the words were swallowed by the sound of the heavy security door opening.
Noah didn’t hear a thing.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing."
The brothers returned to the apartment one after the other.
***
Just like that, two quiet days slipped by. The strange gray snowfall never appeared again. It felt almost as though Suzy had imagined the entire thing.
The new organization never came looking for them.
Neither did Aaron and his group downstairs cause any trouble.
Life seemed frozen in place. The stillness was so complete that it felt vaguely unsettling.
Suzy’s daily routine became simple and repetitive.
Morning training.
Meals. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Then spending time across the hall.
The only noticeable change was the temperature––it continued to drop relentlessly. At this point, almost nobody ventured outside anymore.
At lunchtime, Suzy headed next door as usual.
Thomas and Leonard were already making their way toward the dining table.
Only one person was missing.
"Where’s Derek?" she asked.
"Still in his room," Leonard replied. "I called him a few minutes ago, but he never came out."
That wasn’t like Derek. Normally, he appeared the instant food was mentioned.
A small crease formed between Suzy’s brows.
"I’ll go check on him."
She walked quickly to his room and knocked.
A muffled voice answered from inside.
"Coming."
Almost immediately, the door opened, and Derek leaned against the frame.
He looked unusually listless. The moment he saw Suzy, however, his eyes brightened.
"Suzy. It’s you."
"Did you just wake up?"
She looked him over carefully.
His complexion was pale, even his usual energy seemed absent.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I’m fine, Suzy. Don’t worry."
He rubbed the back of his head and smiled.
"I stayed up too late last night and didn’t sleep enough."
"Really?"
She still looked unconvinced.
Derek placed a hand lightly on her shoulder and turned her toward the dining room.
"I’m serious. Stop worrying. Let’s go eat."
As he guided her out, Suzy studied him.
Aside from looking tired, he seemed normal. Maybe he really had just lost sleep.
Even so, a faint sense of unease lingered in the back of her mind, though she couldn’t identify the source of it.
Eventually, she convinced herself she was overthinking.
When they reached the dining table, Thomas and Leonard both looked toward Derek.
Leonard frowned.
"What happened to you? I called several times."
"Stayed up too late."
Derek looked mildly embarrassed.
"That’s why you’re so pale." Leonard shook his head. "You should stop doing that."
Derek nodded obediently.
"I know."
"Alright, let’s eat."
The conversation ended there.
The four of them began lunch.
Even while eating, Suzy found herself glancing at Derek repeatedly.
Something about him still felt off.
Yet his appetite remained completely normal.
He ate just as much as he always did.
Anyone who could eat and sleep that well probably wasn’t seriously ill.
That thought finally eased some of her concern.
After lunch, Leonard dragged Derek toward the television for their usual gaming session.
They managed one round before Derek began yawning again.
"Leonard, I’m done. I’m too sleepy."
Leonard stared at him, surprised. "Again?"
Derek nodded.
"I really didn’t sleep enough. Only five hours. Besides, it’s so cold lately. All I want to do is sleep."
As if to emphasize the point, he yawned again.
Seeing how exhausted he looked, Leonard finally relented.
"Fine, fine. Go get some rest."
"Thanks."
Derek stood and headed back to his room.
A little later, Suzy emerged from the kitchen. She immediately noticed Derek’s absence.
Only Leonard remained in front of the television.
"I thought you two were playing games. Where did Derek go?"
Leonard sighed.
"He said he was tired and wanted to sleep. Honestly, I never realized he could sleep this much."
"He stayed up late," Thomas reminded him.
When Leonard thought about it, that explanation made sense.
"I’ll go check on him," Suzy said.
She walked to Derek’s room and knocked.
"Come in."
His voice sounded muffled from inside.
Pushing the door open, she peeked through the gap.
The room was dark, no lights were on.
Derek was already lying in bed beneath a thick blanket, a black sleep mask resting over his eyes.
"It’s me," Suzy said.
The moment he heard her voice, his entire tone brightened.
"Oh, it’s you, Suzy. Want to come take a nap with me?"
Rolling onto his side, he crooked a finger at her in silent invitation.
Suzy’s mouth twitched.
"I’m not sleepy. You sleep."
A look of disappointment crossed his face.
"That’s a shame."
"Other than being tired, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"Nope." He shook his head. "Just sleepy."
"Good."
Relieved, Suzy nodded.
"Then I’ll leave you alone."
She quietly closed the door behind her.
Inside the room, Derek stared at the ceiling in disappointment.
Then, just as he settled back down, the door opened again.
Suzy walked back inside.
Light instantly returned to his eyes.
"Did you change your mind? Are you going to nap with me after all?"
"Behave."
Suzy sat down beside the bed, handing him a cup.
"Drink this before you go to sleep."
She handed it to him, and, without even asking what it was, Derek sat up immediately and accepted the cup.
He drank everything in a few large gulps.
When half the cup was gone, he smacked his lips thoughtfully.
"It tastes good." A smile tugged at his mouth. "It’s sweet."
Taking the empty cup back, Suzy gently touched his pale cheek.
"Alright." Her voice softened. "Get some sleep."
