Chapter 19

Lauren made a slight move to distance herself from Charlie, but he had already shifted, putting some space between them. He was skilled at maintaining an ambiguous proximity.

Lauren wasn't foolish. Despite lacking romantic experience, she understood men's motivations. She immediately saw through Charlie's behavior. He clearly harbored feelings for her.

However, Lauren wasn't interested in Charlie. Because of Leo, she wanted to avoid complications. She decided to tell him directly that she had no romantic feelings for him. After gathering her thoughts, she raised her eyes to speak, but Charlie preempted her.

"Miss Bennett, I apologize for my earlier behavior," he said, his tone cold and distant, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. He seemed to be deliberately creating distance.

Lauren was momentarily stunned, confused by his sudden change. She stared at him, noticing that his gaze flickered, as if he were seeing someone else through her.

"You remind me of someone from my past," he murmured.

Someone else? Lauren glanced at Leo and guessed it was his mother. Various rumors surrounded Leo's mother, the most prevalent being that she was deceased.

This softened Lauren's heart; she felt sympathy for Leo's childhood loss. She also felt a pang of guilt for nearly rejecting Charlie's apparent affections. She chided herself for her momentary narcissism—a man like Charlie, who must have encountered countless beautiful women, couldn't possibly have fallen for her at first sight.

Unlike Lauren's embarrassment, Charlie appeared relaxed. He seemed content simply to spend time with his son. He sat casually on the sand, rolling up his sleeves and beginning a sand painting. His fingertips moved deftly across the surface, quickly sketching a beautiful face.

As evening approached, the warm sunlight illuminated Charlie's face, accentuating his striking features. He was a picture of concentration, almost sculptural in his posture.

To Lauren, he was both serious and captivating. Even sitting on the sand, he exuded a powerful aura and noble temperament. Staring at his handsome profile, she felt a sense of familiarity. His side profile, eyebrows, even the way he carried himself seemed etched in her memory, yet she couldn't place where they had met. Lost in thought, she swayed, reaching for a wall to steady herself.

But a pair of hands were quicker, catching her arms and preventing her fall. Looking up, she saw Charlie's concerned eyes.