The Runaway Groom
Chapter 872

Irene never saw Erin after she came back from the hospital. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She would notice her if she returned—Erin was not the type who would shut herself in her room.

"Probably not," she told Isaac.

Isaac nodded.

After Erin drove James home and gestured for her to get down, he said, "I think I'm sick. Must have drank too much.”

As such, Erin parked the car and helped him back to his home.

“Lie down on the couch. I'll get you something for your hangover." James caught her wrist. "Just stay with me."

He was not drunk at all—that bit of alcohol would not leave him intoxicated and he could hold his liquor.

Erin saw through him then and exposed him too. "You tricked me?" James chuckled, his lips curling into a smile as he pulled Erin toward him, holding her firmly by her waist.

“I don't expect you to visit," he said. He was certainly surprised to see her.

Erin lowered her gaze and whispered, "Love goes both ways. I shouldn't make you do all the work alone."

James rested his chin on her shoulder in turn. "I'l talk to Mr. Jefferson tomorrow and apply for leave.”

“No, you shouldn't," Erin turned to look at him with a serious look. "You have to help my dear brother.”

James pouted. "Dear brother?"

Erin looked up to meet his gaze. "Of course. Even if we're not related by blood, he acknowledges our siblinghood."

“You only realize that now?" he teased.

James made a serious look then. "Stan Hill is back, so he has people to help him. On the other hand, it's been a long while since I took leave, and everything's more or less done on hand. Stan can take over anything I might have to do as well, so I could free up my schedule.” Erin certainly knew that he wanted to spend more time with her, since she used to complain about how he was always too busy to keep her company.

Nonetheless, she held his hand and said, "It's alright, really. You'd be bored hanging out with me instead of working. I have a job too, so we just have to keep in touch from time to time, and you can visit me when you actually have free time. I'll do the same too, and that's just fine, isn't it?"

James was silent for a while before saying, "Yeah."

"Aren't you going to sleep?” Erin asked him then.

James leaned in, his lips hovering beside her ear, sprinkling his warm breath all over as he said tenderly, “I don't think I can sleep. I'd rather you stay the night with me..."

"No," Erin said, getting away from his embrace just then.

There was panic in her eyes, her knuckles were clenched, and there was sweat under her palm.

James realized in surprise that she was getting paranoid, and he whispered, "I won't do anything, Erin."

He certainly understood that Erin had yet to recover from her trauma before, but he was not about to make her uncomfortable.

“I'm sorry,” she said and started to run, but James caught her from behind and kept his arms around her.

“You did nothing wrong," he assured her with a mild voice. "Sorry, I misspoke and caused a misunderstanding. I just missed you so much and I'm happy to see you, okay?"

Erin swallowed her bitterness and turned to look at him, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

Eventually, they ended up on the couch in each other's embrace as they both seemed to find refuge in each other that way.

“I should go," Erin eventually said.

"It's still early," James replied.

“It's midnight."

“Then it's too late. You don't have to go."

“No, I have to," Erin insisted. "I promised to go back, and it'd be bad if I don't..."

"Don't worry," James told her. "No one would badmouth you, especially since your brother and his wife have been there and can understand. It's perfectly normal if you stay the night since we've been engaged before. They won't talk.”

“That won't do," Erin said, believing that distance made the heart fonder.

Meeting once in a long while was more blissful, as they would appreciate each other's presence more.

Having no choice, James said, "I'll walk you out.”

“It's fine," Erin told him. "You're drunk.”

Still, James walked her to the ground floor and waved her goodbye wistfully while she drove back to the hilltop mansion.

Erin was planning to sneak back to her room, but the lights were still on.

Isaac had already taken a shower and was sitting on the living room couch in his silk pajamas, reading a finance magazine.

Meanwhile, Irene was still busy cleaning up in the kitchen.

“You're still up?" Erin asked.

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