Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.-Chapter 77: Who was that woman?

Adelyn’s brows drew into a slight frown.

She looked toward the kitchen, confusion flickering in her eyes.

What was he doing there?

Unable to see clearly from where she stood, she gently tugged at Eira’s arm. "Let’s go and see."

They walked over, their steps soft.

Little Eira followed quietly.

Even so, Dylan heard them with ease.

With his back still turned towards them, he asked casually, "You two are done?"

Adelyn hummed in response, leaning slightly to peek past him —but his tall frame blocked her view entirely.

"What are you doing, Mr. Warren?" she asked politely. "If you’re craving a late-night snack, you can tell me. I’ll prepare it for you. You don’t have to trouble yourself."

The next moment, Dylan turned around —with a glass of milk in his hand.

Adelyn paused.

Her gaze swept over him unconsciously —from head to toe.

He was wearing the set she had worn not long ago.

And the way her clothes now fit him —

It stirred something strange inside her chest. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"You were drenched earlier," he said, placing the glass on the counter before pushing it gently towards her. "Drink this while it’s hot. It’ll help you warm up."

Adelyn blinked.

"This ... is for me?" she asked softly, unable to quite name the feeling rising within her.

Dylan’s gaze lingered on her for a brief second before he nodded. "Isn’t tomorrow important for you?"

She stilled.

Of course.

Her auditions.

She hadn’t forgotten.

Taking the glass, she lifted it slowly and took a sip.

"Thank you," she said —her voice, for once, gentle rather than merely polite.

Dylan didn’t respond.

He simply watched as she finished the milk in one go.

When she was done, he took the glass from her and turned toward the sink.

"Mr. Warren, where’re you going?"

He paused and glanced back over his shoulder, raising the glass slightly. "To put this glass in the sink."

"You don’t have to," she said immediately, stepping forward to take it from his hand. "I can do it myself."

Before he could respond, she had already rinsed it and placed it aside.

"See? It’s done." She turned back to him. "Now, let’s talk about something important."

Her gaze shifted toward the living room.

"My place isn’t big, but we can manage for the night. You and Little Eira can take the bedroom —I’ll sleep here." She gestured towards the sofa. "In the living room."

"You don’t have to inconvenience yourself on my account," Dylan said, his tone firm. "I can sleep in the living room."

"No," she refused immediately. "Eira is too small to adjust here. Don’t make it difficult for her."

"She’ll sleep with you," he said easily, as if it had already been decided.

Adelyn hesitated. His gaze shifted to the little girl.

"But ... she won’t be comfortable sleeping with me."

A stranger.

Before she could say more, Eira ran and clutched her arm tightly.

"Eira will be comfortable sleeping with Aunt Ade-lyn."

Adelyn looked down at her, momentarily speechless.

Could she refuse now?

She lifted her gaze to Dylan —only to find him already watching her.

"... Fine," she relented. "Then I’ll take the bedroom. But —" her eyes flicked briefly toward the living room, "this space isn’t very comfortable. Call me if you need anything."

Dylan gave a small nod.

Adelyn held his gaze for a moment longer before turning toward the room.

But halfway through, she paused.

Her eyes drifted back to him.

Again.

Her gaze lingered again on the clothes he was wearing —her clothes.

They didn’t look bad on him. But the thought that she had worn those just days ago made her avert her eyes.

"Is there a problem?" Dylan asked, catching her gaze.

Adelyn shook her head quickly. "No —I just stopped to say good night."

She paused, then added more softly.

"Good night, Mr. Warren. Sleep well."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked back to her room.

Closing the door behind her, she let out a slow breath.

Eira tilted her head up at her, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Aunt Ade-lyn ... Eira is sleeping with you?"

Adelyn glanced down at her —and her heart softened instantly.

The little girl was unbearably adorable. Especially when she looked up at her like that ... the way her eyes shine. She couldn’t help but feel her heart getting tugged towards her every time she looked her in her eye.

"Mhm," she nodded. "It’s already late. We should get to the bed and sleep."

Eira nodded eagerly.

Adelyn guided her to the bed, helping her climb up before tucking her under the blanket.

After switching off the lights, she lay down beside her.

"Come on, sleep early," she murmured. "Don’t stay up too late."

Eira nodded and closed her eyes, determined to follow her words.

But even after a while —

Sleep didn’t come.

Adelyn waited. And waited.

Eventually, she turned toward her.

"Can’t sleep?" she asked softly.

Eira opened her eyes and shook her head. She was too excited and didn’t want the night to end that fast.

However, Adelyn didn’t think the same way. She thought the new place was keeping the child awake.

Pressing her lips together, she tried to think of a way.

But she had no idea how to coax a child to sleep.

"... Then how do you usually fall asleep?" she asked.

Eira blinked, considering the question seriously.

After a moment, she said, "Can Aunt Ade-lyn hug Eira to sleep?"

Adelyn paused.

"Hug you to sleep?" she repeated. "Will that be enough?"

She had always thought children needed lullabies ... or stories.

She hadn’t known a simple hug could also be enough.

Eira nodded, eyes filled with anticipation.

In the end, Adelyn sighed softly. "Alright. Come here."

She opened her arms. Eira didn’t hesitate for even a second.

She scooted closer, wrapping her small arms around her, pressing her cheek against Adelyn’s chest.

This was her first time being this close to —

Her mama’s warmth.

Her scent.

Eira’s lips curved into a small, content smile as she nestled closer.

Adelyn, on the other hand, didn’t quite understand what she was feeling.

But she knew one thing —

The girl’s presence like that wasn’t uncomfortable at all.

If anything ...

It felt like something missing inside her quietly being filled.

Not long after, Eira’s breathing evened out.

Soft. Steady.

Asleep.

Adelyn shifted slightly, glancing down at her.

That ... was fast.

Was it really this easy to put a child to sleep?

A faint smile touched her lips as she gently brushed a hand through Eira’s hair, slowly adjusting her position.

However, just as she tried to pull herself away, the girl stirred in her sleep, hugging her back.

Before Adelyn could react, a soft murmur made her pause.

"Mama ... don’t leave Eira again."

Adelyn froze.

The whisper was barely above the whisper —

But in the silence of the night and up so close, she heard it clearly.

And it wasn’t the first time.

She had heard the longing before.

The quiet cries.

The broken calls for her mother.

But this —

This was the first time she found herself wondering —

Who was that woman?

And how could she leave behind such a sweet little girl ...

To yearn like this for something as simple as mother’s love.

Wasn’t she a little too heartless?