A profound gaze lingered, etching the tableau into memory.


    Post-ablutions, he approached the bedside, his steps cautious as a secret shared only with the moonlit


    night. An intuitive movement stirred Millie, her eyes still shut, yet her form gravitated toward his, an


    affectionate sp enfolding his sinewed waist.


    The supposition that Millie had grown ustomed to their nocturnal proximity danced through Marcus’


    thoughts.


    Driven by an unbidden impulse, Marcus’ hand ascended to brush against her hair, his watchful eyes


    quietly studying her serene sleeping form.


    His gentleness flowed from a desire to shield her from awakening, a silent sentinel of her undisturbed


    rest.


    Midnight’s ndestine envoy arrived in the form of a vibrating phone, its contents a stern caution from


    Leon.


    “Guard her well from harm’s way.”


    With a motion as calcted as the breeze’s caress, Marcus erased the message, permitting the device


    to repose.


    A vigil undisturbed spanned the night’s hours, and with dawn’s arrival, Marcus settled within the study’s


    embrace, poised for discourse with foreign allies. His frame, ensconced in supple leather, unburdened


    itself of formality as the shirt’s buttons yielded to liberation. Elegantly, his lengthy limbs found refuge


    atop the polished expanse of the table. A slender cigarette, cradled by his fingers, beckoned to be


    kindled, while documents sprawled haphazardly bore witness to a restless mind.


    ninjanovel


    Inescapably, his thoughts gravitated to the doctor’s words from the prior night-the forewarning of


    escting impulsiveness and irritability, coupled with the ominous potential to harm those in his orbit.


    The remedy, while alleviating symptoms, fell short of absolute dominion over the condition. Marcus’s


    fingers ruffled through his hair in a gesture of irritation.


    His gaze narrowed subtly, the room imbued with an air of somber ambiance.


    Beyond the door, Millie’s presence was heralded by gentle knocks.


    “Darling, I’ve brewed some scented tea. Would you care for a sip?”


    At dawn’s early light, Millie discovered Marcus ensconced in the study once more, his presence


    unyielding.


    Marcus swiftly extinguished the cigarette in his grasp, rising to attend to the air purifier. With a sense of


    urgency, he organized the scattered documents upon the table before utching the door.


    “Honey.”


    Grasping Millie’s hand, he guided her into the study’s embrace.


    Settling into his seat, he gently drew her onto hisp.


    Millie turned, her gaze meeting his cerulean eyes, and inquired, “Have you been upiedtely?”


    “There’s an overseas project demanding my attention, requiring substantial effort,” he exined.


    Têxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Acknowledging with a nod, Marcus enveloped Millie’s waist with his hand, reaching for the scented tea


    on the table and indulging in a sip.


    “I apologize for my neglect, my dear. These demands have consumed me,” he expressed with


    remorse.


    Setting aside the tea, Marcus yfully pinched the tip of Millie’s nose. Millie shook her head, sensing a


    disquiet within Marcus. Yet, upon surveying the data strewn across the table and the Luminous


    computer screen, she discerned the verity of his engrossment in his tasks.