Chapter 1036: Chapter 1036: Struggle and Torment

"Ding dong—"

Along with the ringtone, the phone screen lit up in the dark room.

Vanessa Sterling, sitting dazed on the edge of the bed, was still immersed in her previous emotions.

She leaned over to glance at the phone, and after seeing the message summary on the screen, she hesitated to pick it up for a closer look.

It seemed that as long as she didn’t look, she wouldn’t need to reply.

Soon, the phone screen dimmed due to lack of action.

Vanessa struggled in hesitation and reached for the phone.

Looking at the message sent by Miles Sterling, she stared at that line of text, her heart entwined with countless complex emotions.

Frustrated, she fell onto the bed, not replying to the message and not sleeping, staring blankly at the dark ceiling.

Her left thumb gently rubbed the uneven nails of her ring finger, and those haunting memories vividly surfaced in her mind, even the pain from those times was still fresh.

She hadn’t forgotten the darkness, but she couldn’t connect that darkness with the current Miles Sterling.

As for liking...

She only knew she wasn’t as scared and disgusted by that face as she used to be, but she didn’t know if that meant she liked him.

Could she like Miles Sterling?

This used to be a question she never even had to consider, but now it was a struggle and torment in her heart.

Staring at that message, she opened the reply box, the text input keyboard popped up, but no content appeared in the box yet.

Miles Sterling stood downstairs for twenty minutes, and when the message was sent, he had a moment of anticipation.

But soon that anticipation returned to calmness.

Because he knew, even if Vanessa truly wanted to be with him, taking that step was still a hurdle in her heart that wouldn’t be easily crossed.

Miles Sterling turned to leave, at least he had communicated his intentions to Vanessa, and her lack of a clear refusal meant they were a step closer.

Miles Sterling returned to his room, after showering he picked up his phone to check, confirmed that Vanessa hadn’t replied, and then laid in bed to prepare for sleep.

After tossing and turning in bed for over an hour, about to fall asleep, the phone suddenly vibrated.

Miles Sterling quickly opened his eyes, reached for the phone on the bedside cabinet.

Seeing the name "Vanessa," he immediately sat up from the bed.

Let’s talk face to face.

Miles Sterling didn’t know what Vanessa’s response would be, but he replied immediately: okay.

Miles Sterling’s instant reply left Vanessa a bit surprised.

It was only after sending the message that she realized it was already past two.

Looks like he wasn’t asleep either.

Right after, Miles Sterling sent another message: It’s chilly at night, remember to wear a jacket.

Vanessa couldn’t help but smile, feeling warmth in her heart and her decision became firmer.

Miles Sterling changed his clothes at the fastest speed, and when he went downstairs, he saw Vanessa already standing at the door waiting for him across the street.

On the silent and deserted street, the two looked at each other from across the road.

Vanessa had her hands in her jacket pockets, under the dim streetlight, watching Miles walking toward her.

The chill in the night wind gently calmed her agitated heart.

Miles Sterling stopped a meter away from Vanessa, taking the initiative to ask: "...You couldn’t sleep either?"

Vanessa’s gaze wandered, still not used to making eye contact with Miles: "...I’ve been thinking a lot."

Miles Sterling looked at her intently, his heart tense, silently waiting for Vanessa’s reply, not daring to press further.

Not wanting to be rejected, yet not believing Vanessa would agree.