SWNOVELS Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Rowan’s alarm clock buzzed insistently at half past five in the morning, the world outside still cloaked in the pre–dawn darkness. With a practiced hand, he silenced the alarm and swung his legs out of bed. He had a morning ritual to keep, delivering milk and newspapers before the neighborhood stirred awake. The temperature had dropped recently, a biting chill greeting him as he stepped outside, but Rowan was still dressed very lightly, wearing simple black trousers and a white crew neck sweater. His sweater was tucked into his pants as usual.
Rowan was a stickler for appearances, his cleanliness bordering on the obsessive. Even at home, Karla never caught him looking anything less than meticulously put together.
The wind was strong on the bike ride. Rowan put on a black peaked cap, pulling the brim down low, so that only the lower half of his face, from the bridge of his nose downwards, was visible from a frontal perspective. His lips, a shade of pink that could incite envy, were pressed into a firm line, and his jawline was sharp enough to draw blood. His flawless skin seemed almost unreal, as if filtered to perfection. Yet his expression remained cool and detached, and he rarely smiled.
By seven–thirty, Rowan returned to his apartment, his arms laden with two fresh bottles of milk. He noticed the door was slightly ajar, and a pair of men’s shoes lay at the threshold. His eyes darkened, his stride quickening as he pushed the door open with such force it nearly rebounded off the wall.
“You’re back.” Karla greeted him from the couch with her usual warm smile and a wave of her hand.
Karla’s presence had slowly transformed the apartment into something resembling a home for Rowan. Like how he’d come back to a lit–up space and the comforting smell of instant noodles–a poor man’s feast, but Karla had perfected the art. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she did wonders with what little they had.
Rowan cherished this warmth, greedily soaking it in, dreading the day it might fade. He felt a possessive urge to keep her by his side at all costs, but he squashed the thought as soon as it emerged, his rational mind overpowering his desires.
His possessiveness over Karla was intense. He saw her as his and his alone, not to be shared with prying eyes. And yet, here was an intruder, who had entered uninvited and shared her company.
Teddy sat in the chair, having waited for Rowan for quite some time. Faced with Karla’s interrogation, he couldn’t withstand the pressure. He had thought he finally had his savior, but when he saw Rowan’s expression, Teddy was startled.
Had he done something wrong to warrant such a chilling glare?
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Rowan was clearly displeased, perhaps even angry. Karla, still clad in her pajamas–a purple satin slip under a loosely tied robe–exuded an effortless sensuality. Her long hair fell casually around her shoulders, occasionally swept back to reveal the faint blush of her earlobes. Every move she made was infused with an unwitting allure.
This was a side of Karla that Rowan had never intended for others to witness, yet Teddy had found a way in.
Without a word, Rowan instructed Karla to freshen up and change. “Go get ready. I’ll talk to him,” he said with an assertive tone.
Karla, without objection, headed to the bathroom as Rowan motioned for Teddy to step outside for a word. Leaning against the wall by the staircase, Rowan’s voice was low and even. “When did you get here?”
“About half an hour ago,” Teddy replied, eager to cut to the chase. “But let’s talk about that medical bill. What’s the deal with it?”
Rowan didn’t answer directly, instead posing his own question. “When did Thomas start giving you trouble?”
“Rowan!” Teddy’s frustration was palpable. “I’m asking the questions here. Don’t dodge them. Forget it, I know you’re strapped for cash, and I’ll pay you back for the money.”
“I don’t need it, Rowan cut him off decisively.
Taking a deep breath, Teddy tried to lay it out plainly for him. “Rowan, between you and me, we’re not even friends. Don’t think you’re to blame for my troubles. The trouble I’m in is of my own making, and it has nothing to do with you. You’re not obligated to pay the medical bills for me. Do you understand?”
“And what if I say I do consider you a friend?” Rowan’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
Teddy’s anger flared. “Are you out of your mind? Any sane person would steer clear of this mess, but not you. You stand by me and call me a friend when I’m in trouble. Have you lost it?”
“Say that again,” Rowan’s eyes flashed with a cold intensity.
Teddy was suddenly speechless, his retort stuck in his throat. He had to admit, despite everything, he was touched by Rowan’s gesture. It proved he hadn’t misjudged the man
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