During this period, that damn boy was gradually sneaking into her heart.

She couldn't pinpoint when it started, but the weight he held in her heart had unknowingly grown heavier.

Being doubted by him—what a terrible feeling!

Every time she thought about his previously cold gaze, it felt like a large hand had gripped her heart tightly, the suffocating pain drowning her like a tidal wave.

"You know... you're really annoying."

Ella's voice was soft, muttering under her breath, audible only to Shia, who was snuggled close to her.

"What exactly do you want to do? Do you find it amusing to bully a widow like me?"

Ella pouted, her feelings growing more aggrieved and sorrowful the more she dwelled on them. Her cheeks flushed a rosy red, like blooming peach blossoms, and her watery eyes carried the weight of her emotions.

Clenching her small pink fists, she weakly hit Shia's chest twice.

There was no force behind the blows—just soft and gentle touches.

Shia caught her hand, enveloping her petite fist in his palm. With a gentle pull, he tugged her into his embrace.

"You..."

Ella stared at the face so close to hers, her heart racing as panic set in. She wanted to escape again, but it felt as though they were glued together, unable to part.

She tilted her head up, gazing at the boy's face and his deep, tender eyes, as if trying to etch him into her heart with her gaze.

Her slightly parted red lips exhaled a faint fragrance mixed with the scent of alcohol, intoxicating enough to make anyone lose themselves in it.

The air grew warmer, and the atmosphere turned increasingly ambiguous.

Shia looked at her delicate, flawless face, so close to his. Her eyes reflected confusion, hesitation, grievance, and deep affection—a mix of emotions that made her appear as tender as a dew-drenched rose, ripe for the taking.

It was a sight that stirred his heart.

Shia was never one to hesitate. When it was time to act, he acted.

He wrapped one arm around her soft, petite figure while using the other to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

His fingertips brushed against her warm cheek, sending a shiver down Ella's spine, making her entire body feel limp.

As his handsome face drew closer, Ella found herself completely enveloped in his presence.

Her eyes were open, yet the world around her blurred, leaving only the vivid, undeniable sensations. His every touch carried an irresistible allure that threatened to drown her.

Shia's hand moved to the back of her head, gently guiding her closer.

For a fleeting moment, Ella suddenly pushed Shia away, scrambling to put some distance between them. Her face, already flushed, turned an even deeper shade of red.

The neatly arranged strands of her hair were now messier than before.

Ella's gaze darted around nervously as she raised her hand to cover her lips.

There was no swelling, of course—not yet. It had been far too brief for that.

This was the primal struggle and resistance of a widow inexperienced in matters of intimacy. Her sense of duty barely held onto the thread of rationality.

"No, this isn't right!"

Her peripheral vision caught the photo on the memorial altar. From the frame, she seemed to sense the accusatory stare of her late husband.

She couldn't betray her deceased husband.

Regardless of whether their relationship had been born out of love or repayment, he had still been her husband.

There were lines she could not cross!

Ella shook her head, her violet hair cascading down in disarray. Her face was a picture of helplessness.

Yet Shia pressed forward, keeping her trapped in his overpowering presence.

"You know," he said, his voice carrying a dangerous allure, "there's more than one way to truly connect on a deeper level."

Ella was bewildered.

She looked up at him, her expression dazed and her gaze caught in his eyes.

It only took one look to ensnare her completely.

Her misty eyes turned vacant, her expression blank and uncertain.

Shia pulled her back into his arms, his smile both captivating and perilous.

He leaned his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling.

"Have you ever heard of an alternative path, Aunt Ella?"

His words hung in the air, weighted with suggestion. Ella's mind wavered as she stared into his enigmatic eyes. The scales in her heart began to tip.

The night stretched on, yet somehow also felt fleeting.

Before long, the first light of dawn painted the sky with soft hues of white.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, Ella thought, surrendering herself to the night.

She consciously ignored the true desires in her heart, blaming everything on the influence of wine.

That night, Ella was unusually docile, warm, and accommodating—embodying the nurturing patience of a mature woman.

Inside the room, the boy's satisfied sigh lingered, fading into the air.

Compared to a certain sharp-tongued but fragile icy maid, Ella was leagues ahead in every aspect.

Strong in comparison yet weak in another.

Despite Ella's commendable performance, she was ultimately overwhelmed.

Her "submission value" climbed steadily throughout the night, finally stopping at 50% when the first light of dawn broke.

A solid milestone had been reached!

By the time Shia left, the sky was already tinged with faint morning light.

Though dim, it illuminated the entire world.

The campus remained quiet, the only sound being Shia's lone footsteps.

Behind him, Ella had finally succumbed to a rare, deep sleep.

Exhausted, her body naturally slipped into a state of rest, slowly recovering both her physical strength and mental state.

Ella lay on her side, her body curled slightly on the bed. Though visibly tired, her face carried a peaceful smile.

With her emotional knots unraveled, the bond between them had deepened once more.

Shia walked along the road back home, feeling an even greater appreciation for the beautiful scenery on both sides.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com