Chapter 296

The kiss ended. She leaned into his chest, a little dazed, eyes fixed on the storm through the paneled window. It wasn’t about being lonely. She didn’t even know why she’d let Daniel Richards get that close. They hadn’t slept together—just one kiss. But still, something had changed. With men and women, it’s not just about sleeping together. It’s the subtle shift, the warmth shared—something real starting to take root. She wasn’t someone wrapped up in old-fashioned values, but this wasn’t nothing. “What are you thinking about?” “That this... isn’t right.” “Then let’s be wrong forever. Ruby, let’s raise the kids together. One day, when we’re old, we’ll move out to the countryside, find a quiet place to settle down, just you and me.” She laughed softly. “Places like that don’t come with fancy clubs or admirers lining up to flatter you. Think you can live without all that?” His eyes lit up. “So you’d consider it?” Ruby Henderson looked at him. “I didn’t say that. I’m going to bed.” The mom