Chapter 14
The atmosphere was thick with tension, frozen in an uncomfortable stillness.
Moira could immediately sense something was off, Virgil’s gaze was fixed on her with an intensity that was almost like the look a husband.might give his wife if he suspected her of cheating
A knot of nervousness twisted in her stomach, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Uh, let me explain.”
As soon as the words left her lips, the regretted them “Why did I
y that? Now I sound guilty, like I’ve got something to hide
say
“Look, man,” the shirtless guy cut in, geuuring a Virgil with annoyance. “I don’t know who this Moira is, but this is my house. And if you don’t quit blocking my door, I’m calling the cops!”
“I don’t even know him?” Moira chimed in at the same time, her voice rising slightly.
The two voices overlapped, creating a tense standoff. The shirtless guy glanced over, his gaze landing on Moira’s delicate, striking features. For a
lit second, his eyes widened, a Dicker of admiration passing through them.
Moira, feeling the weight of his stare, quickly averted her eyes, her cheeks flushing with discomfort as she caught sight of his hare chest.
Virgil picked up on Moira’s discomfort immediately–she was tense, clearly unfamiliar with this man. His frown softened for a moment, but then his expression shifted, turning serious. “This your place?” he asked, his voice low, sharp, and guarded
Virgil had a razor–sharp memory–there was no mistaking the address Moura had given lum: Block 12, Unit 2201. He didn’t forget details like that. Even if he’d been wrong about the specifics before, Moira was definitely back now.
A flash of recent headlines crossed his mind–stories about single women living alone becoming targets for creeps. His jaw clenched as protective anger surged through him, cold and unrelenting
Without another word, he stepped fo
forward, grabbed the guy by the collar, and slammed him against the wall
The man, too busy gawking at Moira, didn’t see it coming. His back hat the wall with a sickening thud, and he let out a startled yelp, flailing to break free. It was no use–Virgil’s grip was iron–tight.
“Call the cops!” Virgil snapped, bis wire steady
y final fill in terl
Moira froze, ton stunned to process what had just happened, her phone hovering in her hand
Virgil shot her a quick glance, his eyes fierce. “He’s a creep. Let the cops deal with the
“Creep? What creep!” the man sputtered, panic creeping into his voice. “What the hell did I even do to you? This is my house!”
Those words stopped Moira in her tracks, her Engers hovering over her phone screen, She frowned, confusion breaking through her shock. “Wait…. what’s your relationship with Zea” she asked cautiously.
Zea had always been single–at least, as far as Moira knew. She had never mentioned having a boyfriend, much less a live–in one.
The man, now red–faced and exasperated, blurted out, “She’s my sister! My real sister!” His tone was a mix of frustration and indignation
Moira blinked, stunned by the revelation. Zea had never mentioned a brother before.
Zea arrived just moments after Moira’s call. The moment she stepped inside, her eyes landed on Virgil, standing tall and composed in the living room. A flicker of curiosity–and maybe admiration–flashed across her face.
Hut when her gaze shifted to the couch, where her younger brother, Samson, was lounging shirtless, her expression instantly soured
Marching over to him, she delivered a swift smack to the back of his head. “What the hell are you doing here, you little troublemaker? Skipping school again?”
Samson winced, rubbing the spot she’d hit while trying to stoot away from her. “It’s the weekend, Zeal Chill, What school?”
Zea huffed in frustration, arms crossed. “Weekends are for hitting the books, not for lounging around like some lazy slob! And look at you–half- dressed and all! Get your butt outta here!”
“Relax. Im just here to shower. I’ll leave soon, Samson muttered, still trying to squirm away from his sister’s wrath.
“Shower!” Zea’s eyebrow shot up. “Don’t you have a bathhouse at school!What, you running out of cash for a shower at school!”
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Chapter 14
“The dorm’s bathhouse is under renovation, Samson muntered defensively, crossing his arms like a sulking kid.
Zea rolled her eyes. “Renovation or not, you can’t just show up here unannounced. What if you embarrass me? I’ve got a guest. She gave him a light kick, her irritation palpable..
Turning to Moira, she softened her tone. “He usually sticks to the dorms. I didn’t know he’d be popping in today. Sorry about that, Moira: Did he freak you out?”
Moira offered a small, understanding smile. “It’s fine, really. No harm done. Her gaze, though, drifted toward Virgil beside her, his face impassive yet his presence oddly calming.
If it hadn’t been for him stepping in first, she would’ve probably been more rattled by the whole thing.
Zea caught the look and raised an eyebrow. “So, who’s this? Your boyfriend?”
Moira’s face flushed, and she almost blurted out husband, but caught herself at the last second. Saying it in front of Virgil felt… strange, so instead. she just nodded,
Zea’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she stepped forward, extending a hand. “Hey, I’m Za Rodriguez–Moira’s best friend?”
Virgil didn’t return Zea’s handshake. Instead, he glanced past her, locking eyes with Moira. “I have to go”
in to arrive, Virgil’s vo
voice broke the quiet. “This areas not safe”
Moira nodded, understanding that he was busy. “Til walk you out
They walked to the elevator in silence. As they y stood waiting for i
Moira blinked, taken aback for a second. She figured Virgil was referring to Samson, despite him being Zea’s younger brother he was still a grown
“I’m looking for a new place,” she said, trying to
to reassure him. “Once I had the right one. I’ll move.”
Wirgil didn’t seem to hear her. He took a step closer, his gaze locking with hers, unwavering. “Move in with me”
Moira blinked, caught off guard by his bluntness. “What?”
“We’re married, Virgil said, his expression serious, almost like it was the most logical thing in the world. “We can’t keep living apart. so. Ms. Ello?”
Don’t you think
The words we’re married lingered in the air, catching Moira off guard and making her heart skip a beat. But hearing Ms. Elliott snapped her back to reality. She nodded, though it didn’t stop the thuter in her chest.
Virgil pulled a key from his pocket and handed it to her. “Emberfall Heights, Building 10, Unit 1, Floor 16. I’ll have the front desk notified. You can move in whenever you’re ready”
Moira took the key, watching him step into the elevator before turning back.
Zea was waiting for her when she stepped inside, and before Moira could even blink, Zea had pulled her into the bedroom and behind then
1 you tell me!”
“Okay, spill, What’s going on? When did you get a boyfriend? Why didn’t y
i shut the door
Moira stared blankly at the key in her hand, suddenly feeling its weight as though it was a tangible reminder of everything that had just happened. Virgil’s words kept echoing in her head. “We’re married.”
It had been coming for a while, but now that it was real, she couldn’t quite process it. She felt a rush of nerves. “Are we really going to live together! Will we be sharing a bed? The thought made her stomach flip
She couldn’t imagine it, especially not with someone like Virgil, who always seemed so distant and… well, unapproachable. It felt impossible to picture their lives merging in such an intimate way.
Zea’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. “Moira, what’s going on Your face is as red as a tomato
Moira snapped back to reality, quickly lowering her head to hide the flush creeping up her neck. After a long awkward pause, she muttered. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
Zea raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Then why did you say that earlier?”
Moira took a deep breath, barely managing to whisper, “He’s my husband.”
Zea’s jaw dropped. “What? Your husband?”
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Chapter 141
Moira nodded, her face burning even hotter, “Yeah. We got married”
Zen blinked, looking like she’d been hit by a truck. Then, in a tone that was equal parts incredulous and baffled, she asked, “Moira, this isn’t an April Fool’s joke, right?”
Moira shook her head, not a hint of humor in her expression. Tm serious. We’re really married. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you the marriage
Zea’s eyes widened as Moira rushed to her room. She returned moments later, marriage license in hand, and handed it to Zea without a word.
Zea stared at the document for a long moment, processing what was in her hands, She blinked, then did a double take. There it was- Virgil. Married.
Moira:
and
The picture of the two of them, taken on their wedding day, looked so… real. So married.
- al. So final. Slowly, realization dawned. Her best friend had really gotten
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