Chapter 143

The afternoon sunlight slipped faintly through the gap in the curtains. The air inside the room felt warm, filled with breaths that had not yet fully steadied. Giselle was still on top of Leon’s body, her hair slightly messy, her forehead damp with sweat. Leon looked at her with an expression that was difficult to define—somewhere between relief, admiration, and longing that had finally been fulfilled.

Giselle smiled faintly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Leon exhaled, then chuckled softly. “Because I feel like I’ve just come back to life.”

“That’s an exaggeration,” Giselle replied, though her smile widened.

“No,” Leon shook his head. “I’m serious.”...