Confessions in the Still of Night

Chapter 20: Confessions in the Still of Night

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The room was cloaked in silence, save for the faint crackle of the oil lamp on the small table near the bed.

The warm glow illuminated the wooden walls, casting soft, flickering shadows.

Adam lay on his bed, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm as he remained in a deep, dreamless sleep.

Sophia stood near the door, hesitant. She had just placed the tray of dinner on the table, ready to leave the room, but something made her pause.

Her gaze lingered on Adam, his face peaceful and unguarded in slumber.

Slowly, she turned back, her footsteps light against the wooden floor, the soft creak of the planks the only sound breaking the stillness.

Her heart raced as she approached the bed. She had never seen Adam like this before—so vulnerable, so serene. For a moment, she simply stood there, drinking in the sight of him.

"He looks so different," she thought, her eyes scanning his face, the faint shadows of exhaustion under his eyes, the calm expression that replaced his usual determination. "I've never seen him like this. Have I ever really looked at him this closely before?"

Sophia's fingers trembled as she placed her hand on the edge of the bed for support.

Slowly, she leaned in, her face inches from Adam's. His breaths were soft and even, a quiet rhythm that somehow steadied the turmoil in her chest.

Sophia can feel Adam's breath on her face and she feels very awkward and embarrassed.

"Adam…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Adam stirred slightly but did not wake, his body too worn from the night's events.

Sophia let out a shaky breath. Seeing no response, she carefully lowered herself onto the bed, lying beside him.

She turned to face him, her head resting on her arm. Adam, still lying on his back, remained oblivious.

Her voice was soft, almost a murmur, as though speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile moment. "You're always so distant, Adam. You've never really noticed me, have you?"

Her lips curved into a bittersweet smile as she continued, her words carrying the weight of years of unspoken feelings.

"I've always wanted us to have a moment like this. Just the two of us. But you… you've always been out of reach."

Sophia's breath hitched as she glanced at his face. "If you were awake, I wouldn't have the courage to say any of this. But now… now I feel like I can finally tell you what I've been hiding for so long."

Her hands hovered near his face, trembling with hesitation. The warmth in her chest warred with the icy grip of fear.

"What if he wakes up? What will he think of me?" she thought, biting her lip. But the need to express her feelings, even to an unresponsive Adam, pushed her forward.

Finally, she placed her hand gently on his cheek, her fingers brushing against his cool skin. A jolt of worry coursed through her.

"He's cold…" she whispered, concern flickering in her eyes.

Without thinking, she moved closer, her body instinctively seeking to warm him. She wrapped her arms around him, her head resting lightly against his chest.

Her legs shifted, pressing against his as she tried to share her warmth.

Adam's heartbeat was steady, a gentle rhythm that seemed to calm her racing thoughts. Sophia's breaths quickened, her face flushed, but she stayed close, her emotions swirling.

As she lay beside him, the memories flooded back. Her voice quivered as she spoke softly, more to herself than to Adam.

"I've always been so scared, Adam. I've never been brave like you. I wasn't talented like my mother, or courageous like my father. I was just… me."

Her eyes welled with unshed tears as she recalled their first meeting. "But you… you never treated me like I was less. You told me I was awesome, even when I didn't believe it myself. Why, Adam? Why did you come to me when everyone else kept their distance?"

Her voice broke slightly as she continued, the vulnerability in her tone raw and unfiltered. "And now, when I want to come closer, you're the one pulling away."

Sophia's hand gently traced the curve of his jaw. Her touch was light, almost hesitant, as though afraid to break the moment.

Her heart ached with the weight of her emotions, emotions she had buried for so long.

"I've loved you for so long, Adam," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Since we were children. I've always wanted to tell you, but… I never had the courage."

Tears threatened to spill as she rested her forehead against his. "I know you don't feel the same. But tonight, just for tonight, let me have this moment."

Sophia closed her eyes, her breathing uneven as she clung to him. The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart—it was all she had ever dreamed of, and yet it felt so fragile, so fleeting.

"I love you, Adam," she murmured, her voice breaking with emotion. "I always will."

She rested her head against his, her body finally relaxing as the tension ebbed away. Slowly, the exhaustion of the day caught up with her, and her breathing steadied. Sleep overtook her, her body nestled against Adam's, her heart finally unburdened.

Downstairs, Adam's mother and sister sat at the dining table, exchanging concerned glances.

"It's been a while. Why hasn't Sophia come back down?" his mother asked, her tone worried.

Yami, ever the troublemaker, smirked mischievously. "I'll go check. Maybe she got distracted."

Ascending the stairs, Yami's footsteps were light but deliberate. She reached Adam's door and pushed it open without hesitation.

The sight before her made her freeze. Sophia lay curled up beside Adam, her arms wrapped around him, their faces mere inches apart.

Yami's eyes widened in shock before a slow grin spread across her face. "Well, well… this is interesting."

And with that, Chapter 21 came to a close, leaving the room bathed in the soft glow of the oil lamp and the quiet promise of what was to come.

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End of this chapter here.