Ashton Heath took a deep breath, his arm around her waist tightening, his hoarse and deep voice filled with restraint and forbearance: "I just want to hold you while we sleep and do nothing else. But if you keep squirming in my arms, I won’t be able to help myself."
In an instant, Joanna Lawrence was so frightened that she lay quietly in his arms, not daring to move again.
Above her head, the man’s breathing was initially rapid, but after a minute, it gradually steadied.
A gentle kiss fell lightly on her forehead.
Ashton Heath tightened his arm, breathing in the delicate and quiet fragrance of the young girl’s hair and closed his eyes contentedly: "Baby, sleep."
Her scent made him completely relaxed.
In the past, before falling asleep, he would always feel particularly irritable, anxious, and restless.
Every nerve in his brain would be tightly stretched.
Falling asleep every night was like fighting with another self within his body.
No matter if he won or lost, he would finally be dragged into that dark world.
It was a world where no light could be seen, and the only thing in sight was boundless darkness.
Every time he woke up and returned to reality, he felt extremely exhausted.
Physically and mentally exhausted.
He had seen doctors, both domestic and foreign; the best psychologists in the world had treated him, but he still couldn’t escape the nightmare that had plagued him for more than twenty years.
Eventually, he had given up.
He was prepared to be tormented for the rest of his life.
And then, at this moment, Joanna Lawrence appeared.
To him, she was unexpected, a surprise, and more so, a lifebuoy found by someone drowning in water.
She was his savior...
If he hadn’t met her, he would have just muddled through life.
But now that she had appeared in his life and he had discovered her, he could never let go, no matter what.
When Joanna Lawrence woke up, the space next to her was empty.
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, picking up her phone to check it, and saw several text messages from Ashton Heath.
Ashton Heath: Baby, I’ve gone to the office. Seeing you sleep so soundly, I couldn’t bear to wake you up.
Ashton Heath: I will pick you up tonight, wait for me.
Ashton Heath: I asked Cody to buy breakfast for you all. Eat your breakfast after you wake up and then go to class.
After reading the three text messages, Joanna Lawrence couldn’t help but smile, feeling warmth in her heart.
He really cared for her, even preparing breakfast for her.
She hooked her lips and happily sent him a message: Mm, I know. Remember to eat breakfast too.
After sending the message, Ashton Heath didn’t reply immediately.
After sending the message, Joanna Lawrence tossed her phone aside and went to the bathroom to wash up.
When she finished washing up and picked up her phone again, Ashton Heath still hadn’t replied to her.
She didn’t mind much.
He must be very busy early in the morning, still working on his business matters.
He probably didn’t see her message, or he saw it but didn’t have time to reply temporarily.
As soon as Joanna Lawrence walked out of the bedroom, she heard a knock on the door.
She walked to the door, opened it, and saw Cody Aberton standing outside, dressed in a suit.
Cody was holding a few bags in his hand. Seeing her, he respectfully called out: "Ms. Joanna."
He handed the bags to Joanna Lawrence: "Ms. Joanna, these are the breakfast items Mr. Ashton specifically asked me to buy for you.