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Novel Catalog
Chapter_114
Whitney couldn’t help but chuckle at his command, though she did feel a little tickle of irritation at his possessiveness. She could almost hear the tension in his voice as he demanded her return, the possessive edge sharp and unwavering.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” she said with a playful tone, trying to keep things light. “I’m fine, just picking up some fresh vegetables. What’s the big deal?”
On the other end, L’s voice was curt, laced with a level of concern she wasn’t sure she wanted to acknowledge. “It’s late. You’re alone. I don’t like it.”
Whitney’s brow furrowed as she walked slowly through the market, picking out the ingredients she needed. It had been a long day—so much had happened in such a short time, and she was still processing it all. But L’s insistence that she return immediately was beginning to rub her the wrong way. She wasn’t a child, and she wasn’t helpless. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate his care, but sometimes, his overbearing nature made her feel like a captive in a gilded cage.
“I’m just getting some things for dinner, L. Don’t worry so much.” She paused, then added with a grin he couldn’t see, “Besides, I’m sure I can handle a few vegetables without getting into trouble.”
A long, heavy sigh came from his side. “Whitney…” His tone softened, and she could almost hear him running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Just come back. Please.”
The sincerity in his voice made something flutter in her chest. She knew he cared—maybe too much at times—but it wasn’t easy to tell whether it was because of genuine affection or just his controlling nature. Still, she couldn’t help but smile at how his concern was wrapped in that authoritative voice of his.
“Alright, alright,” she relented. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. But next time, don’t call me like I’m a child who needs babysitting.”
L’s sharp response came quickly, “I’ll take what I can get. Now hurry up.”
Whitney rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile as she hung up. She paid for her groceries, her mind swirling with everything she’d learned today—the attack, the cryptic details about the criminal, the strange interactions with Bryce, and the increasing suspicion that Elaine was behind it all. She needed to figure it out, and soon.
The drive back to L’s place felt like it took forever, her thoughts swirling with a thousand different questions. As she walked in the door, she was immediately met with his steely gaze. L was standing by the window, his posture rigid, but there was an underlying tension she hadn’t seen before.
“I was starting to think you’d decided to take your time,” he said, his voice still carrying that edge.
Whitney tilted her head, noting the tightness in his jaw. “I didn’t think you’d be waiting for me, L. Is there a reason you’re so concerned?”
His eyes flicked over her, scanning her for any signs of distress. She could tell he wasn’t quite sure whether he wanted to be angry or relieved. After a beat, he finally spoke, his voice quieter now, but still full of that deep, almost dangerous intensity.
“You’re pregnant, Whitney,” he said, the words hanging between them, heavy with meaning. “You can’t just go off and put yourself in danger, not with everything that’s happening.”
Her breath caught in her throat. There it was again—the undercurrent of his concern for her, for their child.
“I know,” she replied softly. “But I’m not some fragile thing, L. I can handle myself. And this thing with the criminal—it’s not just about me anymore. I need to understand what’s really going on.”
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “What are you saying?”
Whitney met his gaze, unwavering. “I’m saying I’m going to find out who’s behind all of this. And I’m not going to stop until I do.”
L looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction.
“Then we do this together,” he said, his voice low and determined. “I won’t let you face this alone.”
The words, though simple, held a promise—one that Whitney wasn’t sure she could accept just yet. She knew he meant it, but the more he wrapped himself around her, the harder it became to tell where her own desires ended and his control began.
But for now, she nodded. “Together,” she agreed, though the word felt heavy, laden with more questions than answers.
As she stood there, facing him, she realized that this was just the beginning. What lay ahead was far more complicated than either of them could anticipate, and yet, she couldn’t help but feel that everything would come to a head soon.
