Chapter 436

Molly found herself pinned beneath Roy, his arm draped carelessly across her neck. As his vision cleared and he recognized her face, his breath caught. “Momo?!”

'I have to be dreaming,' he thought. 'There’s no way she came to see me. This has to be a dream. Please, don’t let it end!'

Molly, less than thrilled to be trapped under him, said flatly, “Now that you know it’s me, how about getting off?”

But instead of moving, Roy slid his arm from her neck to her waist and pulled her closer, tightening his grip. In a soft, slurred voice, he mumbled, “I missed you so much.”

“I heard you. Now get off.”

Instead, he nuzzled into her neck like a sulky child. “You ignored me. It really hurt, you know.” Then, without warning, he bit her gently. “You’re so mean.”

Molly only stared at him in disbelief.

Still under the impression he was asleep, Roy continued to act on impulse. He kissed her neck, once, then again, slow, lingering, and in between, whispered, “But I like you so much.”

With her body pressed flush against his, the effect was instant. Roy’s breath hitched, and his hands tensed at her waist. The contact sent a shiver through Molly’s spine as her waist had always been her most sensitive spot. And with Roy touching her like this, that weakness only deepened.

To him, this dream version of Molly seemed impossibly obedient, lying still beneath him, letting him kiss her without protest. He leaned in, finally aiming for her lips, something he’d wanted to do for a long time. Normally restrained, Roy had completely surrendered to desire.

“You taste so sweet,” he whispered, eyes burning. His hand slid up her side, trailing over warm skin that felt alarmingly real. And then, with a thud, he hit the floor hard.

Stunned, he blinked up at her. Molly was sitting upright, calmly straightening her clothes. Her lips were flushed, her blouse rumpled. The lipstick smeared across Roy’s mouth made the whole scene look even more absurd.

“Momo?” he croaked. She reached down and pinched his chin between her fingers, lifting his face toward hers. “You’ve got some nerve, you little brat.”

And that was when it clicked. This wasn’t a dream. A slow, ecstatic grin spread across Roy’s face. “This is real, right? I’m not dreaming!” The gloom from the night before evaporated like it had never existed.

Molly gave his cheek a sharp squeeze, but instead of wincing, Roy looked even more delighted. “Still think it’s a dream?”

“Nope,” he beamed. He gazed at her, and his eyes darkened with something deeper than just longing. There was hunger, but also devotion. “You came to see me. That has to mean you don’t hate me. It means I still have a chance… doesn’t it?”

“What do you think?” “I think yes.”

Molly gave him a small, amused smile. “Whatever you say.” Roy pulled her into a hug again, his voice muffled against her shoulder. “God, Momo… I’m so happy right now.” Molly felt like being held by a sun–warmed blanket, and the sensation he’d left on her skin still hadn’t faded. She pushed him away with a wrinkle of her nose. “Go take a shower. You stink.”

Roy froze, gave himself a quick sniff, and immediately recoiled. “Okay, yeah. That’s bad.” He backed off quickly. “Wait for me. I’ll be quick.” The guest room had everything he needed, his toiletries and a clean change of clothes. Last night, he’d felt like he was drowning in despair. This morning, he’d woken up in paradise. As the water ran down his back, he tried to focus, but it was hopeless. The memory of Molly in his arms, the feel of her lips, her skin, the scent of her perfume… it all clung to him, refusing to let go. The longer he stood there, the hotter his face burned.

It was a long while before Roy finally emerged from the bathroom, only to discover that Molly was no longer in the guest room. His expression collapsed in an instant.

Without a moment’s pause, he swept through the entire second floor, then rushed downstairs. It wasn’t until he saw Molly sitting calmly in the living room with a cup of coffee in hand that he finally breathed again. He strode over and wrapped his arms around her. “Momo, I thought you were leaving me again.”

“You were taking forever.” Roy froze for a beat, then turned his face aside, his voice subdued. “Sorry for keeping you waiting.” Molly caught the blush creeping up his neck and gave a small smile.

Just then, Martha came in carrying a plate of freshly sliced fruit. “Mr. Shay, Ms. Hill, would you like to stay for lunch?” Roy shook his head. “Thanks, Martha. I’m taking Momo out.”

“Well then, I’ll leave you two to it,” she laughed. Molly had grown up in Ustrana, though she had spent a few childhood years in Wallington. The country had always held a certain charm for her. She knew its history, its stories, and its quiet corners better than most who called it home. Today, Roy was riding high. With an air of pride, he brought Molly straight to the newest restaurant opened by Henry. “Once we’re done eating, I want to take you somewhere fun,” he said, almost bouncing on his heels at the thought of their date.

“Don’t you have work?” “I’ve always got time when it comes to you.” She narrowed her eyes with satisfaction, a quiet approval flickering behind her gaze.

Meanwhile, Roy was busy showing off in the group chat. [My girl came all the way to Basterel to see me!] Henry: [Yeah, and you brought her straight to my place.] Roy: [Right? I’m killing it.] Big Bird: [Damn, Roy. You really got that tough girl wrapped around your finger?] Roy: [She doesn’t need to be wrapped. I’m the one wrapped around her little finger]

The group chat went dead silent. Still basking in his own triumph, Roy was caught off guard when Joshua dropped a video into the thread, a clip from the night before, showing Roy, completely plastered, drunkenly hugging the leg of a table and muttering nonsense. The group erupted with laughter. If anyone knew how to kill a man’s moment, it was Joshua.

Roy rubbed the back of his neck and shoved his phone into his pocket. “So… how long are you staying in Wallington?” “Four, maybe five days.”

That was already generous, coming from someone whose calendar was usually booked down to the hour. Bruce didn’t make things difficult for her. Once the situation in Horington was under control, he’d return. Progress on the serum had also been promising. Breakthroughs were happening fast, and they were close to having a working formula ready for production. “Sheary’s flying back Friday for the auction,” Molly added. “I’ll head back to Ustrana after that.”

It meant, for now, she was staying in Basterel. Thursday arrived, and the lab erupted in cheers. The serum was finally complete. After months of research and trial runs, they had succeeded. The regression symptoms in Natalie had fully reversed. Her vitals had stabilized, and after a few more days of observation, the serum would be ready for mass production. Soon, it could be administered to anyone who had been exposed to the infected water supply.

The government and hospitals of Horington were deeply grateful to Shermaine and Danielle. Danielle, however, didn’t take much credit. She hadn’t been a key contributor in the final phase. That night was Christmas Eve. One by one, the specialists packed up and went home. The auction was set for the next morning.

Shermaine would be flying back to Basterel at dawn. Danielle, however, would remain behind. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the others. It was just that she and Shermaine had overseen the project from the beginning. Bringing in someone new at such a critical stage, even for a short time, could invite unnecessary risk. On Friday, Joshua sent a helicopter to pick Shermaine up. After breakfast, she boarded the aircraft. The flight was smooth until they crossed a mountain range. Suddenly, the sky darkened. A swirling vortex appeared out of nowhere, tearing open midair like a hole in the sky. Neither Shermaine nor the pilot had time to register what was happening before the aircraft was swallowed whole.

Back at Riverswood Villa, Dave was fast asleep when something stirred him awake. He shot upright, a jolt of unease crawling up his spine.