Lost in Thy Arms のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 28

Chapter 21SHADOWS AND SECRETSFrancis moved quietly toward the corner shelf, his silhouette barely visible in the storm-lit room. Maria watched, tense and uncertain, wondering what he was doing. A moment later, the sharp click of a lighter broke the silence, followed by the soft glow of flame. He lit one candle, then another, until five flickered across the lounge, placed at strategic points that pushed back the darkness in trembling circles of light.When he returned to the couch, Maria was trembling, her hands shaking as she whispered, “Let me out, please… I’ll behave. Just let me out. I can’t see anything.” Tears brimmed at her eyes, her voice cracking under the weight of fear. Francis sat beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. He said nothing, but his jaw tightened, his thoughts dark—silently wishing death, or plotting vengeance, for whoever had planted this terror inside her. Gradually, her sobs subsided. She pulled away, embarrassed, wiping her face. “Thank you… Sir…

Chapter 23THE VISIT TO HIS MANSIONThe cab slowed to a halt before the tall iron gates of Francis’s estate. Rain drizzled lightly, misting the air, and Maria came down and paid the driver. She walked forward, clutching the file tightly against her chest. The guards approached, stern-faced, their uniforms crisp despite the damp weather. “Name?” one demanded. “Maria,” she replied, voice steady though her heart raced. “I’m here to deliver a file to Mr. Francis.” The guard exchanged a glance with his partner, then pulled out a phone. Maria stood awkwardly in the drizzle, her shoes damp, as he dialed. A brief conversation followed, clipped and efficient. Finally, the guard nodded. “You may enter. He confirmed.” The gates swung open with mechanical precision, and the she walked cautiously into the estate. Maria’s breath caught as the mansion came into view. ---It was breathtaking. Elegant fountains arched water into the air, their droplets catching the faint glow of garden lig

Chapter 26 MOTHERLY ADVICE Sunday arrived wrapped in pale autumn sunlight, the kind that filtered through curtains and warmed floors without quite chasing away the chill. Maria woke late, lay in bed for a long while staring at the ceiling, and finally rose when the smell of cooking drifted up from downstairs.Aunt May was in the kitchen, as she always was on Sundays, her hands dusted with flour and her gray hair pulled back in a loose bun. The radio played softly from the windowsill—old jazz, the kind Maria had become used to."There she is," May said without turning around. "I was beginning to think you'd sleep the day away.""I was tired," Maria said, sliding onto a stool at the counter."More reason for you to eat something." May slid a plate across the counter—eggs, toast, a thick slice of tomato, all arranged with the careful precision she applied to everything. "Eat."Maria ate. The food was good, familiar, settling something in her stomach that she hadn't realized was unsettl

Chapter 27BE MY WOMAN “I can see you are busy, Miss Brooks, so I would have to go back without you.“ Francis said and started leaving.Maria tried to wriggle herself out of Gabriel's hands but he held her tighter.“Let me go, Gabe.““Why is it because of your boss.““You need to move on with your life, just like I am doing.““Well I can't I already broke up with Bella. It was a mistake and I want you back.““You can't have me back, Gabriel. Please just try to let me go.““Maria, don't…”“Please don't make it harder than it already is. I'm sorry for kissing you and giving you any silly thought that I want you back. My love for you died a long time ago.“ Maria said and used her hand to released herself from him.“We can be just friends if you want, Good night Gabe.“ She said and left.She came outside the club but Francis had already left. She flagged down a taxi, giving the driver her address, and spent the ride staring out the window at the city lights blurring past.The kiss replay