Tessa, who had already fallen asleep, immediately pouted and let out a soft whimper before clutching tightly onto Stephen’s collar.

“Are you awake?” Stephen leaned in and placed his hands on both sides of Tessa’s body as he looked down at her.

“Zal…” Tessa’s eyes remained closed as she moved her lips and mumbled, “Zal…”

Zal? Zachary? Zachary Gomez?

Was she really calling out for Zachary despite being drunk?

It was already bad enough that she had drunkenly spouted nonsense outside, claiming that he had a problem in certain aspects. Yet, she now had the audacity to call for Zachary?

Oh, right. He almost forgot why he had gone to the bar! He had gone there to confront her about her accusation toward him.

She hadn’t even slept with him yet, so how could she possibly know if he could get it up or not?

Stephen furrowed, feeling a sudden chill in his heart. What an ungrateful little thing.

Straightening up, he looked down at Tessa. His voice was low and laced with displeasure. “Do you still have feelings for him?”

Despite knowing that she could not hear him, he still asked the question.

The air was thick with jealousy.

Stephen’s voice was dark as he warned, “Tessa, you better think properly before you answer me.”

The next second, her lashes fluttered as she turned over restlessly in bed. She buried her face into the pillow as she slurred softly, “A zale. I want to hear a tale…”

Stephen was at a loss for words.

A tale?

So, she wasn’t trying to call out for Zachary. She was just slurring her words due

to her being intoxicated, making her pronounce tale as zale.

Stephen let out a short laugh as the tension in him suddenly eased away.

He leaned in closer, whispering affectionately, “Tessa, let me take you to shower first, okay? I’ll tell you a story after you’re all clean and ready for bed.”

Tessa liked being clean. If she woke up the next morning still wearing yesterday’s clothes, reeking of alcohol, she would definitely be disgusted with herself.

The room was so quiet that he could hear the soft, steady rhythm of her breathing.

Tessa was already deep asleep, unable to answer him.

After waiting quietly for a few seconds, Stephen sighed and turned to go to the bathroom to draw a bath. He then returned to carry.

Tessa up. “Let’s get your net’

up.

swnovel

You sleep better after a bath.”

He removed her clothes and gently placed her in the bathtub.

She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open as she looked at him dazedly. “Stephen-”

“Tess, be a good girl now,” Stephen soothed, his movements gentle and careful.

He first wet her hair, squeezed some shampoo into his hands, rubbed it into a lather, and then massaged it into her hair.

She leaned back in the bathtub, still not fully awake, but the warm water had relaxed her. She let out a contented sigh, enjoying his attentive care.

After the bath, Stephen dried her off, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her back

to the bedroom. Next, he proceeded to blow-dry her hair.

By the time her hair was dry, she was slightly more awake. She clutched onto his collar, saying, “Stay with me.”

Stephen lowered his gaze and coaxed gently, “Okay, I’ll stay with you.”

“Tell me a story,” she murmured softly.

He agreed readily, “Alright.”

Then, he pulled out his phone and searched for a few bedtime stories. His voice was deep and soothing as he told her a story.

Gradually, Tessa stopped fussing about. Her hand that was clutching his collar tightly had eventually loosened and fell to her side.

He had finally managed to lull Tessa to sleep.

He had originally planned to go back home, but since Tessa was drunk and needed someone to take care of her, he decided to stay the night.

However, there were no toiletries or clothes for him to use.

So, Stephen called a housekeeper from the Jacobson residence to bring him a change of clothes and some toiletries. Then, he took a shower in Tessa’s bathroom

Swn?

When he was done, he came out to see Tessa sleeping soundly.

ret

He smiled affectionately as his gentle gaze lingered on her fair and beautiful face. After looking at her for a few minutes, he walked over and tucked the blanket around,

planting a kiss on her

“Goodnight.”