The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 275

Garnett stared at Sigrid's tear-streaked face. He stood there paralyzed, a heavy lump forming in his throat that made it impossible to speak a single word.

His phone suddenly buzzed.

He glanced down. The screen lit up with her name: Lavinia.

He turned away from Sigrid, taking a few quick steps to put some distance between them.

His hands were shaking so badly it took him three tries to swipe the answer button.

"Lavinia, are you okay?" The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his voice was completely cracked.

"I'm fine. I found a power bank and charged my phone. You called?" Lavinia's tone was impossibly calm.

Garnett stood there for a long moment. "I'm just glad you're safe," he finally managed.

After that, there seemed to be nothing left to say.

He paused for several agonizing seconds before adding, "Stay safe." Then, he hung up.

When he turned back around, Sigrid was still standing there. She looked at him quietly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, like a prisoner awaiting a verdict.

He stared at her blankly.

Sometimes, a dark thought crept into his mind—why wasn't it Lavinia looking at him like that?

The thought terrified him. He immediately crushed it down, burying it deep in his chest.

He walked slowly back to her. After a brief pause, he said softly, "She's fine."

"You're not leaving?" Sigrid asked. Her voice was fragile, as if she were afraid of shattering the moment.

He hesitated.

"No. I'm staying here with you." He reached out, brushing away a stray strand of hair stuck to her wet cheek. "With the storm this bad, I wouldn't feel right leaving you and your mom alone."

Sigrid smiled. Tears were still clinging to her lashes, but the corners of her mouth curled up in relief.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest, holding him tight as if she had just won him back from the brink.

Garnett felt her soft, warm body pressed against him, but a corner of his heart felt undeniably empty.

He told himself he couldn't afford to hurt Sigrid again.

That night, Garnett stayed in the guest room. The door was pushed open with a soft click.

A figure slipped inside quietly, barefoot.

The edge of his blanket was lifted, letting in a rush of cool air, before a warm, soft body slid into his arms.

He didn't move.

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