Chapter 35: An Affectionate Confession

**Thelma Zane’s POV** It was written all over his face—the yearning, the hesitation. Anyone who caught a glimpse of Aldrich's endearing yet pitiful expression would immediately know what he wanted. He wanted to kiss me. And truth be told, it was what I wanted too. Somewhere along the way, I had come to realize that my feelings for him ran far deeper than mere friendship or camaraderie. What I felt was something profound, a fierce and consuming love that scared me with its intensity. Yet, it also thrilled me, leaving me breathless with anticipation. When our lips finally met, it was as if the entire world fell away. The kiss was wild, passionate, and unrelenting, leaving me feeling feverish. My breath came in short, rapid gasps, as though I couldn’t get enough air. Heat coursed through my body, igniting a fire that consumed every part of me. In that moment, it felt as if our hearts beat as one, and there was nothing in the universe but the two of us. I could feel the depth o