Chapter 19 Return to How It Was
The clerk led Charlotte to the fitting room while Malcolm waited patiently in the lounge.
After taking off Charlotte’s clothes, the clerk was surprised. She didn’t expect such a pretty girl to wear ill–fitting undergarments. Removing Charlotte’s lingerie, the clerk whispered, “Be careful when you choose undergarments. The size has to be right and the fabric matters a lot. Is this one comfortable?”
Charlotte stared blankly for a moment. It was the first time she realized undergarments could be so comfortable.
She replied, “Yes.”
The clerk continued, “Your boyfriend has such great taste. This sett gives you a beautiful, firm, and perky shape. Being young is a blessing.
“And the floral pattern makes your skin glow and look alluring. Even I feel tempted as a woman, let alone your boyfriend.”
The clerk blinked at her.
Charlotte felt deeply uncomfortable being scrutinized like this.
Thankfully, the fitting ended quickly. She went up to Malcolm. The good undergarments instantly improved her posture. She was no more slouching.
Malcolm glanced at her and said curtly, “Nice.”
Chapter 19 herum to How It Was
Heat flooded Charlotte’s chest. She never imagined he’d be the one taking her lingerie shopping.
The clerk brought over several more lingerie sets. Noticing Charlotte’s flushed, awkward face, she tactfully turned to Malcolm and said, “Please feel the fabric. It’s soft and breathable.”
Charlotte had never imagined the clerk would ask Malcolm to touch the fabric. She instinctively clung to his arm with her hands. “I don’t need that many.”
She didn’t realize the intimacy of this gesture until it was too late. Her fingers were locked around his wrist.
Charlotte instantly felt his wrist burning like hot iron, which flustered her.
Malcolm stared at the hands that locked his wrist.
His wrist wasn’t boyishly slender but long and firm, and the solid, steady presence made Charlotte want to withdraw her hands.
However, Malcolm remained calm as if her touch held neither surprise nor indecency in his eyes.
He whispered, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she quickly answered.
This time, she was straightforward.
Malcolm obliged. “Okay, let’s start with these.” He then went to check out.
After leaving the mall, he bought a few pieces of clothes for her and
Chapter 19 Retum to How Was
then drove her to the school gate.
Clutching the large shopping bag, Charlotte was about to get out of the car. Malcolm looked at her and said, “I won’t walk you in.”
Charlotte nodded. “Okay.”
“If you need any help, tell me.”
He said the same words.
Charlotte pondered for a while and said, “Mal, we do that for Danielle. Moreover, I’m willing.”
Malcolm looked at her pale face and said calmly, “Charlotte, your sister would want me to do this too.”
Charlotte fell silent.
They sat in the car quietly for a long time. Suddenly, Malcolm’s phone rang in the storage compartment of the center console. He looked at it and saw it was Danielle calling.
Charlotte glanced at the ringing phone and quickly looked away. Before he answered the phone, she swiftly grabbed the shopping bag and got out of the car.
Only after her figure disappeared from sight did Malcolm answer the phone.
Over the phone, Danielle asked, “Why did you take so long to answer?”
Malcolm replied in a low voice, “Something came up. I’ll come to see you now.”
| Return to How It Was
Only then did Danielle relent, murmuring, “Okay.”
When Malcolm arrived at the hospital, Danielle had been waiting for him. He went to her bedside and asked, “How are you today?”
“I ate well and slept well.”
Malcolm placed the snacks he bought on the way onto the table and said. “Don’t eat too much. Just taste the flavor. These are bad for your health.”
His words darkened Danielle’s face.
After a moment, she gathered herself and grasped his hand. “Malcolm, were you with Charlotte last night?”
Hearing this, Malcolm looked up at her.
Of course, Danielle knew she was being unreasonable. Back then, she begged him to do this for her, but now she felt things were getting out of control, so she didn’t sleep at all last night.
Malcolm understood her anxious thoughts and whispered, “Yes.”
Danielle was nervous. “Did you enjoy it?”
Her words hardened Malcolm’s gentle face. “Danielle!”
Hearing him raise his voice, Danielle felt more bitter. She couldn’t stop. her anxious thoughts, while she knew full well her question would anger him.
She thought she was asking for too much. All adults had physical reactions. How could they not…? Part of her longed for him to deny any feelings for Charlotte, and yet the other part agonized over the
possibility.
His angry voice deepened her misery.
Malcolm felt the long–suppressed emotions getting out of control. Looking at Danielle’s pale face, he realized his tone had been too harsh. He quickly reacted and restrained himself. “Danielle, focus on recovery. Don’t overthink.”
Danielle accepted the olive branch and said, “Okay.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn’t help but say hopefully, “Malcolm, when I recover, everything will return to how it was, and you’ll love me forever, right?”
