A Night of Desire

Seeing Seth staring into space, Clara hurried over to him and asked gently, "Seth, what’s wrong?"

Seth snapped out of it and looked at her. He discreetly took a sniff but didn’t catch that scent on her.

’Clearly, it’s not her.’

Seth’s expression stiffened slightly. He lowered his gaze and replied, "Oh, it’s nothing. I was just about to call you."

As he spoke, he casually placed his phone back on the nightstand.

"I thought you were going to have Dr. Linden come keep you company? Why are you all alone?" Not seeing anyone else around, Clara assumed he had been toughing it out by himself for the past few hours, and her question carried a hint of reproach.

’If I’d known he wasn’t going to have anyone stay with him, I would’ve just stayed here instead of going home.’

While they were speaking, Skylar Hayes also stepped forward. She set the fruit she was carrying on the table, looked at Seth, and said, "Seth, you’re injured and can’t get around easily. Clara really shouldn’t have left you here all by yourself."

Seth shifted, adjusting his posture, and looked at Skylar Hayes. "It’s fine, Mom. I told Clara to go home. Besides, Rowan was here just a minute ago. He just left."

As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced over at Sarah Shelby. ’Could she be the woman from a year ago?’ he wondered.

’If it’s really her, wouldn’t that be incredibly awkward? I’m married to Clara now, but a little over a year ago, I shared a passionate kiss with her best friend. For a long time afterward, I couldn’t stop thinking about that woman I’d kissed but never properly met, and I even tried to find her.’

’Even though it was just an accident, I can’t deny that I was genuinely drawn to her. My heart was stirred.’

’I’ve always told Clara that she’s the only woman who’s ever made me feel a physical response, the only one I’ve ever felt a rush for. But that was a lie. The first time I had such a strong reaction to a woman was that night, a year ago.’

’I could accept it if the woman from a year ago was anyone else. But if it was Sarah Shelby... that’s something I just can’t handle.’

’Because Sarah is Clara’s best friend! Just imagine if Clara found out that her own husband had once kissed and groped her best friend. What would she think? Would she be able to accept it?’

’So, Clara can absolutely never find out about this!’

Still standing by the door, having momentarily forgotten her own worries, Sarah Shelby was smiling warmly at the loving picture Clara and Seth made. Suddenly, she noticed Seth’s gaze fall upon her. After a brief pause, she smiled and nodded at him.

’Seth probably thinks it’s a bit odd that I’m here,’ she thought.

When Seth saw her nod, he nodded back.

Clara helped Seth get his leg comfortable. As she looked up, she caught his lingering gaze on Sarah. She smiled and said quietly, "I invited Sarah to come along. I thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce her to Dr. Linden."

Seth turned his impassive gaze to her face. "Ah, that explains it. I was wondering why she came with you."

"Oh, right. You said Dr. Linden just left. Where did he go?" Clara asked.

"Probably back to his office. Someone came looking for him about something just now."

"Oh." Clara nodded, then turned to Sarah Shelby, smiling as she beckoned her over. "Sarah, come on, have a seat. What are you doing standing so far away? It’s not like you and Seth are strangers."

Even though he knew she meant nothing by it, Seth’s expression still turned unnatural.