Chapter 231: Want To Use My Shoulder as a Pillow?
’I can’t sleep.’
Lying in bed, Lariette stared at the ceiling. The clock continued ticking, shifting the hour to the eleventh. Despite trying to sleep for over one hour, the heavy thoughts that clung to her mind kept her wide awake.
The night outside was quiet, save for the distant hum of cars passing down the roads. The city was still alive even at this hour, but not as much as during daytime.
Blinking, Lariette shifted from lying on her back to her side. Her eyes drifted to the curtains, seeing the streak of light through the tiny gaps.
’Has he slept? He... he was quiet. I’ve never seen him like that.’
Lariette tried to push aside the weight in her chest and her mind, but every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the defeated look on Ruediger’s face. She also recalled the way she felt when she hugged him earlier.
Initially, he had stiffened, seemingly hesitant before he returned her embrace, then almost desperate. He never cried despite his eyes glazed with tears, and that alone pricked her heart.
As they hugged on the couch, Ruediger didn’t say anything, nor did Lariette ask him about Chairman Alvord’s accusation. Then, they parted ways to their respective bedrooms.
He assured her that he was fine, but the forced smile couldn’t deceive her.
During dinner, Ruediger was mostly quiet as they ate the takeout. Lariette, refusing to bring up what happened in the afternoon, talked about her meeting with Nora, Howard and Mr. Eastwood.
"Did your colleague Nora really say that? I don’t mind lending my hand if you need me."