The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 154

Lavinia stopped when they reached the curtain section.

A swath of dark green velvet draped elegantly over a display rack, the store's lighting highlighting its luxurious texture.

She reached out to touch it, wondering if she should help Charley replace his curtains as well.

Suddenly, two familiar figures stepped into her peripheral vision. Her fingers went rigid.

It was Garnett and Sigrid. They were walking shoulder-to-shoulder, pushing a single shopping cart.

Sigrid was holding a throw pillow, saying something to Garnett with a soft, curving smile on her lips.

Garnett was looking down at her, the overhead lights tracing a gentle, golden outline along his profile.

Lavinia's hand slipped off the display. Without making a sound, she grabbed the heavy fabric and pulled it around herself, hiding behind it.

The dark green velvet tumbled down, completely concealing her face and the devastating expression she wore.

Charley saw them too. He didn't turn his head. Instead, he subtly shifted his body, standing with his back to the approaching pair, effortlessly blocking the slight gap in the curtain.

His hand hung loosely at his side, brushing against her faintly trembling fingertips.

"I was so heartbroken when the ancestral home was auctioned off all those years ago," Sigrid's soft, slightly melancholic voice drifted over from just a few steps away. "I wanted to buy it back the moment I returned from abroad, but I just didn't have the funds."

"Well, it's yours again now," Garnett murmured, his tone exceptionally tender.

"Thank you, Garnett. You helped me reclaim something deeply precious to me." Sigrid paused. "Was thirty-eight million too expensive? I was worried it would put you in a difficult position."

"Not at all. As long as you're happy. That's all I want."

The wheels of their shopping cart rattled over the tile floor, drawing closer and closer.

Lavinia held her breath, staring hard at the tips of her shoes. She was wearing white canvas sneakers, the laces pulled tight, her toes curling inward against the soles.

Suddenly, Sigrid stopped.

"Charley?" she asked, a note of genuine surprise in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

Charley's voice was perfectly level. "Just buying a few things."

"Alright," she agreed, tossing a final look at Charley. "We'll get going then. See you around."

Garnett took a few steps before his pace suddenly faltered. He looked back over his shoulder at the stretch of dark green velvet.

Charley stood there, his tall frame blocking most of it from view. The white canvas sneakers at the bottom were gone.

Garnett couldn't quite put his finger on what felt off, but a sudden, uncomfortable prickle bloomed in his chest. It didn't hurt—it was just like a tiny thorn buried deep in his skin, making its presence known.

"Garnett?" Sigrid turned back and called out to him.

He pulled his gaze away and walked over to her.

She was admiring a Nordic-style vase, its design simple yet sophisticated.

"Do you think this is pretty?" she asked, looking up at him, her beautiful eyes shimmering with affection.

Garnett gave it a brief glance and offered a gentle smile. "You have great taste. It suits you perfectly."