The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 106

As her trembling finger scrolled further down the screen, she read the caption: Mrs. Harper sporting a tiny baby bump. Looks like good news is on the way.

Sigrid's entire body shook uncontrollably.

Her phone buzzed. It was Corinne.

"Ms. Sloan, we've located the buyer," the secretary said. "The agent mentioned he just got back to Marina Island." She paused. "But Mr. Harper is at the Manor today, and his wife is with him. It's not a good time to disturb him."

Sigrid bit her lip, her grip on the phone tightening until her knuckles turned white.

"I'm going."

***

By the time they returned to the Manor, Judith was already taking her afternoon nap.

Saul helped Garnett onto the sofa. Garnett frowned slightly. "Lavinia, I'm not feeling great. Help me upstairs."

Having no excuse to refuse, Lavinia supported him as they headed up the stairs.

Saul stood in the living room, watching them disappear around the landing, his fists clenching subtly at his sides.

Charley stood by the window, his silhouette backlit by the sun, his expression unusually dark.

Upstairs, Lavinia helped Garnett into the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed, his complexion looking perfectly normal.

"You should rest for a bit. It's nothing serious," she said, standing up straight. "I'm going to head down and check on Saul. They'll probably be leaving soon."

She had barely turned around when a hand clamped around her wrist. She looked back. Garnett was staring up at her, his gaze heavy and intense, entirely unlike his usual self.

"Lavinia. Stay with me," he said, his voice husky—a stark contrast to the cold, detached tone he normally used.

Lavinia froze for a second. She tried to pull her hand away, but his grip only tightened.

"Don't go down there. They can see themselves out." Garnett's eyes remained locked on hers.

"That's incredibly rude to our guests," Lavinia replied, furrowing her brow.

"They're family. What does it matter?"

Slowly, he shifted his hand, threading his fingers through hers. Their palms pressed together. The warmth of his skin seeped into hers, creating a strange, tingling sensation that brushed lightly against her heart.

Lavinia didn't pull away.

Garnett stiffened. The dark, swirling emotion in his eyes instantly receded, replaced by a complicated flash of annoyance.

He sat in silence for a few seconds before finally reaching for the phone and answering it.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lavinia stood up and took two steps back.

Garnett held the phone to his ear. After listening for a brief moment, his brow deeply furrowed, and his voice turned ice-cold. "You're at the house?"

Lavinia blinked in surprise. Sigrid actually had the audacity to show up at the Manor?

Garnett shot Lavinia a glance and stood up, his face grim.

"I didn't know she was coming, and I have no idea why she's here," he told her squarely. "I know in your eyes I haven't been a good husband, but I have never betrayed our marriage."

Lavinia paused, then looked away. "I'm really not interested in whatever is going on between you two."

"Lavinia, the Harper family owes the Sloans," he said quietly. "I'm just paying off a debt."

She looked back up at him, her voice slow and measured. "Is it really just a debt?"

Garnett's eyes darkened. After a long beat of silence, he said plainly, "She's a guest. Let's go down together."