The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 218

Julian's footsteps faded away, and the door opened once more.

Charley stepped inside, keeping a respectful distance as he looked at a completely dumbfounded Lavinia. He let out an amused chuckle.

"You really don't have a single ounce of directional sense, do you? This is my room. Yours is on the other side of the hallway."

Lavinia's face flushed a deep, violent shade of red.

"I-I'm so sorry, I..."

Burning with embarrassment, she kept her eyes glued to the floor, entirely unable to look at him as she shuffled toward the door.

When she reached the exit, however, she realized his hand was still firmly resting on the doorknob, completely blocking her path.

How was she supposed to open the door with him standing like that?

"Charley, I need to go back," she mumbled.

He didn't move.

Lavinia finally looked up at him.

His dark eyes were swirling with an intense, quiet gentleness, and that distinct, earthy scent of wood subtly wrapped around her.

"I think it's better if you don't go back just yet," he said, his voice low and heavy.

"Why?"

"I'm worried he might come looking for you."

"He... he wouldn't, would he?"

Lavinia stared up at Charley, completely dazed.

He slowly removed his hand from the doorknob.

She thought he was letting her go. Instead, he raised both arms, bracing his hands against the door behind her, effectively caging her in.

Charley leaned down slightly, his lips hovering near her ear, his voice dark and hypnotic: "Just wait a little longer."

The house was dead silent. Soon, the sound of footsteps crept up the stairs.

Lavinia recognized them immediately. It was Garnett.

The footsteps traveled to the far end of the hallway and paused.

No door clicked. No one knocked. It stayed quiet for a long time.

Then, the footsteps resumed, moving further away, heading back down the corridor, descending the stairs, and fading into nothingness.

Lavinia's voice was a barely-there whisper. "He went back. He didn't knock."

Charley said nothing.

Even after Garnett's footsteps had completely vanished, he didn't pull away his arms, keeping her locked in place.

*Thump. Thump. Thump...*

Charley's voice was steady and unhurried as he talked about the moon, the tides, and the ocean.

She listened, though halfway through, the words stopped registering.

Her mind wandered back to that text message the mysterious stranger had sent her: *Next stop, see you at the intersection.*

Who knew what else she might encounter next?

It was getting late.

"I'm going back," Lavinia said.

She turned, walked over to the door, opened it, and glanced back one last time. "Goodnight."

He remained by the window, watching her in silence.

Lavinia awkwardly tore her gaze away, stepped out, and gently shut the door behind her.

Her actual room was at the complete opposite end of the hallway. Her suitcase was resting neatly beside the wardrobe.

Lavinia sat on the edge of the bed. The moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a thin, pale glow across the back of her hand.

She went over everything that had happened tonight, completely unable to calm her racing mind.

She was so incredibly glad Charley had actually come. Every single time she needed him, he always showed up.

Like a walking, protective tree, always standing firm right beside her.