Ch-26 It's not my fault. It's just physics.

Vanessa's face flushed, her mind involuntarily drifting into a vivid fantasy of Ryan's strong chest and rippling abs. How would it feel to have that strength embrace her? she wondered.

Ryan, unaware of his new neighbor's wandering thoughts, noticed her dazed expression and sighed inwardly.

"Mrs. Vanessa?"

"Huh?"

The soft voice snapped Vanessa out of her reverie.

Flustered, she hastily accepted the amulet Ryan handed her. "Thank you!" she said quickly, clutching the item like a lifeline.

Looking down at the amulet, Vanessa felt a sense of gratitude. Her perception of the young man changed immediately.

She remembered the mansion they had recently moved into - a house notorious for its dark history. Several people had reportedly died there, giving it the reputation of being haunted.

She had strongly objected to her husband's decision to buy the property.

But William, captivated by the mansion's charm, had insisted. When he learned it was being sold for less than half its market value, he bought it without consulting her.

They fought bitterly over his unilateral decision, although neither of them really believed in ghosts or spirits. They were both materialists, convinced that the house's eerie history was nothing more than superstition.

Still, Vanessa couldn't deny that Ryan's gesture touched her. His gift, though simple, was an expression of genuine kindness.

Accepting such goodwill was only natural, especially from a neighbor she already found endearing.

As Vanessa adjusted the amulet around her neck, Ryan smiled.

Thank God she's reasonable, he thought. He had feared that she would dismiss his gesture as superstition or ridicule his concern, as some arrogant people often did.

But when his gaze naturally fell on the amulet, he couldn't help but notice where it rested.

The amulet was nestled between Vanessa ample cleavage, perfectly framed by the neckline of her fitted camisole.

Ryan looked away quickly, but not before an involuntary thought crossed his mind. *It's not my fault. It's just physics.

Despite his best efforts, his attention lingered momentarily on her outfit.

Vanessa's clothes, though more modest than the day before, still showed off her figure. She wore a tight camisole that hugged her curves, paired with pale pink yoga pants that accentuated her toned legs and chiseled hips.

Her dedication to fitness was evident - her muscular yet feminine lower body was a testament to the hours she spent at the gym or yoga studio. Unlike many women in the area, her natural posture revealed a balanced, toned frame.

Ryan sighed inwardly, reminding himself to stay calm. His gaze returned to her face, meeting her warm, almost shy eyes.

"Everyone in your family should wear one of these amulets," he said seriously. "Put one on your pillow and another on the door for extra protection."

He made no mention of the house's grim past. Anyone who bought such a property had to be aware of its history. If they chose to live there anyway, it meant they didn't believe in such things.

Ryan understood that bringing up the subject openly might offend her or her family. He felt his responsibility ended with giving them a means of protection. If they ignored the signs and continued to live there, their fate was out of his hands.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to follow your advice," Vanessa said with a warm smile.

Satisfied, Ryan nodded before heading to his old pickup truck parked nearby. He couldn't afford to be late for school after already taking three days off.

As Ryan drove off, Vanessa lingered in the doorway, watching until his truck disappeared down the street.

A sigh escaped her lips as her mind wandered.

Her husband was always busy with work, often away from home for days at a time. Though she understood his obligations, the loneliness weighed heavily on her.

She couldn't deny the longing for companionship or the need for warmth - simple desires that had become luxuries in her life.

Sometimes dark thoughts would creep into her mind. She'd wonder what it would be like to have a young, strong lover who could fulfill the needs her husband had long neglected.

But each time such thoughts surfaced, guilt quickly followed.

William worked tirelessly for her family. How could she betray him, even in her mind?

Shaking her head, Vanessa pushed away the shameful thoughts and decided to face her loneliness in her own way.