?Chapter 1212:


    Dn looked effortlessly handsome, and the longer she gazed at him, the more her heart swelled with affection.


    When she finished the milk, she stood up, reached out to touch his head affectionately, and then slipped into his arms.


    She held him close, her smile soft and serene.


    Being in his embrace felt soforting that she didn’t want to let go.


    “It’s time for a shower,” Dn said in a tender tone.


    “Okay then,” Christina murmured as she released him and began to turn away.


    Before she could take another step, Dn suddenly swept her into his arms.


    “I’ll carry you upstairs,” he said, striding forward with effortless strength.


    Christina didn’t protest. She melted into his hold, content to rest against him.


    His scent surrounded her—clean, warm, and faintly masculine—leaving herpletely spellbound.


    Dn carried Christina into the room, waiting patiently as she selected a change of clothes.


    “Keep the bathroom door unlocked, just in case. Call me if you need anything, and watch your step,” he said, his toneced with quiet concern.


    Christina gave him a long, questioning look. Thinking she might have misunderstood, he quickly added, “Don’t get the wrong idea. I just meant I’m worried you might slip or hurt yourself in there, that’s all.”


    A small smile tugged at her lips before she leaned in and pressed a brief kiss against his cheek. “I know.”


    If Dn had ever wanted to make a move, he would have done it long ago.


    He had always kept his impulses in check, and Christina wasn’t naive—she knew he was a man of restraint, a true gentleman.


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    He watched her as she walked away, his features softening with affection.


    Leaning against the wall beside the bathroom door, he waited for her to finish.


    Soon, the faint sound of running water filled the quiet room. Dn swallowed hard as his heartbeat began to quicken.


    He wanted to leave, to give her more space, yet the thought of her slipping while still tipsy from the alcohol made him stay still.


    Caught between the need to respect her privacy and the urge to stay near, he decided it was safer not to move. He couldn’t take chances with her safety.


    Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes.


    He had originally nned to meditate, to drive away the inappropriate thoughts that had started creeping in. But the more he tried to silence them, the more insistent they became.


    He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to clear his mind, to focus on anything but the images that kept shing behind his eyes.


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