Chapter 78: The Meeting of Hearts and Minds

**Thelma Zane’s Point of View** Switching back to myself was more awkward than I had anticipated. I found myself wishing I could rewind time by ten minutes and give that impulsive girl—myself—a good slap to bring her back to her senses. What had I been thinking? This wasn’t some overly sentimental romance drama where every moment had to be saturated with emotional declarations and grand gestures. It was real life, and now I was left cringing at my own immaturity. I hugged my knees, trying to curl into a ball, my face burning with embarrassment. “Don’t look at me! Don’t laugh! Just... go away!” I blurted out, unable to meet Aldrich’s eyes. But Aldrich had no intention of leaving. Instead, he crouched down beside me and wrapped me in his arms, his warmth soothing my frayed nerves. “I’m touched, baby,” he said softly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. “This is the first time you’ve told me you love me so openly and passionately.” I flinched, my face growing hotter. “That