His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 193

Virginia was speechless.

She walked over, bent down, and picked up the little girl, patting her back gently. "It's late, baby. Mommy will take you back to bed."

"I do."

Archer's voice came from behind, low and hoarse from the alcohol.

Virginia paused slightly, her arms subconsciously tightening around Cindy.

Without looking back, she carried the little girl into the bedroom.

When she came back out, she assumed Archer had already left, but to her surprise, he was still sitting on the sofa.

His tie was loosened and carelessly tossed aside, and he sank into the cushions, his long, elegant fingers supporting his forehead.

Looking like this, he was a bit messy, a bit exhausted, looking entirely different from the aloof, untouchable CEO he had been during the day.

Virginia stood at the bedroom door for a few seconds before walking over.

"How much did you drink?"

"...I don't remember."

She didn't ask further, turning to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water and setting it on the coffee table.

"Leave as soon as you finish drinking."

Archer lifted his eyes to look at her.

She was wearing a light gray sleeveless nightgown, her long hair draped loosely over her shoulders. Under the warm yellow light, the coldness and distance she carried during the day had dissipated quite a bit.

His gaze gradually darkened as he looked at her.

"Virginia."

"...Yeah."

"Make me some hangover tea."

Virginia found it somewhat absurd. "Mr. Vanderbilt, this isn't your house."

"I know." He stared straight at her. "Make me some hangover tea."

Drunk, he lacked his usual restraint, carrying a trace of stubborn entitlement.

She stared at him for two seconds before turning to head back to the bedroom.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind, clamping down on her wrist—it wasn't a tight grip, but it was so hot it made her tremble.

"Let go."

...

When she woke up the next day, the living room was empty. The blanket, just like the previous times, was folded neatly and placed at the corner of the sofa.

Virginia couldn't quite name the feeling in her heart. Was it relief? Or was it disappointment?

Before she could figure it out, Cindy's sweet voice reached her ears. "Mommy, I've washed my face!"

"Okay, Mommy's coming."

She thought that once he sobered up, their lives would return to normal. Who knew he would show up again the next night.

And the third day.

The fourth day...

Eventually, Archer became increasingly comfortable, not even bothering to knock anymore. Instead, around eleven at night, he would stand quietly outside the door and send a text.

[I'm at the door.]

The first time, she ignored him.

He stood outside for over thirty minutes, the hallway sensor light glaring for over thirty minutes, until a neighbor getting off a night shift saw him and cursed about it in the building's group chat.