Millie’s hands quivered, and her body was tense. Minutester, a semnce of quiet settled, affirming


    the assant’s retreat.


    With trembling hands, Millie illuminated the room, A few droplets of blood adorned the floor, the knife’s


    de stained by blood.


    Her premonitions had fueled her unease before bedtime, Fortuitously, she had ced a knife beneath


    her pillow as a safeguard against unforeseen threats.


    Though her legs wavered, Millie resolutely wiped the knife clean, tidied the room, and inspected the


    entrance. Just as she expected, the door had been tampered with.


    Fortunately, the assant wouldn’t likely return tonight, hampered by their wound,


    Millie wedged a chair against the door, reiming her room’s security. Sitting on her bed, she


    contemted contacting Marcus to divulge the attempted assault. Yet, ncing at thete hour, she


    decided against it, opting to spare him thete-night disturbance.


    Rest eluded Millie throughout the tumultuous night, granting her only reprieve with dawn’s arrival.


    Following her morning ablutions, Millie opened her door, intent on locating someone to address the


    roof’s damage.


    The instant the door ajar, Patrick greeted her, a basket of crimson strawberries in hand, his smile


    directed her way.


    “Near the agricultural station, there’s a strawberry garden. I picked these for you, I heard they’re great


    for a girl’splexion,” he remarked.


    The basket’s contents were plump, vibrant, and red.


    However, Millie harbored no desire for the offering. Aware of Patrick’s infatuation with her, she was


    determined to maintain a boundary, deterring any misinterpretation. He deserved to find someone who


    reciprocated his affection.


    “Strawberries aren’t to my taste. Enjoy them yourself.” Millie apologetically declined, her smile


    measured. Patrick was perceptive of Millie’s intentions: her reluctance to ept his offerings and her


    desire to maintain a certain distance between them. Patrick, though disheartened by her refusal,


    persisted.


    “Give it a shot; I’ve already gathered them. Just have a taste, okay? I won’t pick them again,”


    Millie furrowed her brows and nced up, spotting Rnd approaching with a reddened and swollen


    face. Clearly, the insect’s poison had taken a toll, turning Rnd’s face into an exaggeratedly plump


    visage.


    “Do you like Millie too? But your chances are slim, I’m pursuing her,” Rnd dered with a measure


    of arrogance, intervening in the scene as if asserting dominance.


    He had noticed from afar that Patrick was pestering Millie. Of course, he had to interfere.


    “Take your strawberries and go. If Millie wants strawberries, I’ll buy them for her, You don’t have the


    right to provide for her,” Rnd barked, shoving Patrick backward in a disy of rudeness.


    Patrick took a step back, his countenance darkening, yet a flicker of surprise registered in his eyes.


    Quickly, Patrick realized that Rnd, with his swollen face, was a local -his ent attesting to it.


    Millie’s being pursued by a local seemed toplicate the situation,


    Rubbing her forehead, Millie directed an exasperated look at the brusque Rnd.


    “Rnd, as I’ve told you before, I’m married. Please refrain from pestering me.”


    Unswayed, Rnd persisted, shaking his head resolutely.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    “That’s not possible. Marriage won’t change my mind. Even if you don’t fancy me now, I’ll wait until the


    day you do.”