Chapter 119

Lily lowered her eyes, nervously fiddling with her fingers. She sensed truth in his words, but she couldn't shake the uneasiness in her chest. She still wasn't sure who the real Carson Bennett was—was he the teasing, spoiled man from earlier, or this calm, understanding one now sitting across from her? Just then, Carson's mobile began to vibrate on the sofa. He glanced down at the caller ID and stood up. "I have to take this," he said smoothly, his tone returning to that calm maturity that kept throwing Lily off balance. Before walking away, he looked at her again. "You can rest. And don't worry about staying here. If you leave after I come, I'll feel bad, so just stay here. I won't be home much, even if I'm around. So relax." He gave a little wave of his hand—almost dismissive but not rude—and added, "This house is too big to stay alone, and it'd be worse to leave it empty like this. So just chill." With that, Carson turned and walked toward the stairs. Lily sat frozen on the sofa, he