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Novel Catalog
Chapter 85: Stay for a Night
Serina remained silent, no matter how many questions Ainsley asked. She simply clung to the hem of Ainsley’s clothes, refusing to let go.
“She might just be too dependent on you,” Manuel said apologetically, watching the scene.
Despite the strange behavior, Ainsley didn’t pull away. “It’s fine. She’s probably feeling insecure right now and needs someone to stay with her.”
It was already quite late, and Ainsley, concerned for Serina, suggested, “Why don’t you let Serina stay here tonight? She seems really shaken.”
Manuel had been thinking about this dilemma during the car ride but hesitated because of Ainsley’s injury. “You’re injured, Ainsley. How can you take care of her? Let me take her back.”
But as Manuel tried to gently pull Serina away, she began to cry again. This time, her sobs were soft but full of desperation, as she curled up in the corner, clutching her leg in distress. Her pitiful cries tugged at everyone’s heart.
“Don’t go. Don’t leave, Ainsley,” Serina muttered, looking up at Ainsley with tearful eyes.
Ainsley’s heart softened. “Alright, she can stay. Look at her, she won’t settle down until she gets what she needs.”
Manuel still seemed hesitant. “I’m worried about her. I’ll stay here for the night and sleep on the sofa. If you need anything, just call me.”
Ainsley was about to refuse, but seeing his exhausted face, she knew he had already done a lot today. “You don’t need to sleep on the sofa. Serina and I will sleep in my room. There’s a guest bedroom with bedding in the cabinet. You can make it up yourself.”
Manuel nodded seriously. “Thank you.”
Ainsley smiled warmly. “You helped me today. It’s the least I can do.”
As the night grew darker, Serina had already fallen asleep. However, Ainsley couldn’t find rest. Serina’s behavior earlier was unsettling, and Ainsley found herself wondering what had really happened to her. What was the real cause of Serina’s distress? Why did she want to see Ainsley so desperately, even after everything she had gone through?
After tossing and turning for a while, Ainsley realized her legs, which had been treated with burn cream twice, no longer hurt as much. Though still swollen and red, the healing was underway.
Feeling thirsty, she quietly got out of bed to grab some water. However, when she stepped into the living room, she was startled to find Manuel sitting on the sofa.
“Manuel?” she called out softly.
He turned around, his face filled with concern. “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“I couldn’t. Just came out to get some water,” Ainsley explained, holding onto the table for support.
Manuel stood up without hesitation, walking to the kitchen to fetch her a glass of warm water. “Drink this.”
Ainsley accepted the glass gratefully. “Thank you.”
Manuel gave her a knowing look. “Are you worried?”
Ainsley took a sip of water and then set the glass down. “When I saw Serina fall ill today, I wasn’t sure what to think. I even wondered if I had overestimated my ability to help her. But after she and you came back, my feelings changed. It’s strange… it’s almost like her trust in me goes beyond just me being Ainsley.”
Manuel raised an eyebrow, his expression soft. “Are you confident now?”
Ainsley nodded, her voice serious. “The hardest challenge for most psychologists is not the cause or form of a patient’s illness, but building trust. If the patient trusts the doctor, the treatment becomes much easier. I can feel it now—Serina trusts me. She’s dependent on me.”
“Serina can be like a child sometimes,” Manuel added thoughtfully. “But she can feel how much you care for her.”
Ainsley smiled slightly, but her expression turned serious. “No, it’s more than that. I can tell this trust is deeper than anything we’ve built in such a short time. There must be another reason behind it… I just don’t know what it is yet.”
Manuel’s hand trembled ever so slightly, but his face betrayed nothing. “I believe in you, Aisy.”
Ainsley’s gaze softened. “Thank you.”
Changing the subject, she asked, “What about Kaitlin’s situation?”
Manuel’s face grew cold. “I’ve already sent all the evidence to the police, and they’re handling it now. The school’s involved, too. But Cason… he’s been using his connections to get help, but no one is willing to assist him.”
Ainsley nodded, unbothered. “I won’t plead for Kaitlin. I made that clear.”
Manuel’s expression darkened. “I think Cason won’t let it go easily. He’ll keep looking for ways to get to you.”
Ainsley frowned, her disgust clear. “I’ve already told him everything. It’s no longer up to me.”
Manuel’s eyes grew colder. “Let’s hope he knows when to back off.”
Ainsley yawned and picked up the glass, about to head back to her room. “I’m going to bed. You should get some rest too.”
Seeing her struggle to walk, Manuel moved quickly to support her. “Let me help you.”
“No need!” Ainsley jerked away, nearly dropping the glass in the process.
They froze, awkwardly avoiding each other’s gaze for a moment before Ainsley hurried back to her room, slamming the door behind her. She took a deep breath, her heart racing. She didn’t understand what she was feeling, but her heart had skipped a beat when Manuel had touched her. Even her cheeks flushed with warmth.
Manuel stood in the living room, staring at the door of Ainsley’s room. His gaze softened, full of longing, before he sighed deeply and left.
The next morning, Ainsley woke to find Serina curled up in the corner of the bed, trembling under the covers. Serina looked around in fear, eyes wide as she muttered to herself.
“Ainsley?” she whispered, her voice full of panic.
“Serina?” Ainsley called gently.
“Shh,” Serina hushed her quickly, pressing a finger to her lips.
She looked around cautiously before whispering, “Ainsley, don’t speak loudly. They will find us.”
Ainsley’s heart sank. “Who are they?”
“I don’t know. They want to kill us!” Serina’s voice cracked as she covered her ears in fear.
Ainsley moved closer, gently taking her arm. “Serina, this is my home. You’re safe here.”
Serina looked at her, tears welling in her eyes as she pointed to Ainsley’s swollen leg. “But Ainsley, your leg is injured!”
“It’s just a burn. It will be fine soon,” Ainsley reassured her softly.
Serina nodded slowly, wiping her tears away. “You’re right. Manuel will come and save us. I’ll be good.”
With that, Serina buried herself deeper in the quilt, pretending to sleep, though Ainsley could still hear her soft sobs.
