Stolen love: In love with my sister 's fiance-Chapter 39: late night call

Days passed, and the bond between Alex and Elaine grew stronger. The feelings they had suppressed for so long were now undeniable. Alex found himself sneaking into her hostel room at night just to see her, bringing gifts and food—especially chocolates, knowing her love for them.

Elaine raised an eyebrow as she looked at the table full of snacks. "Alex, are you trying to bribe me with food?" she teased.

Alex smirked, leaning casually against her desk. "No, just making sure my girl doesn't starve," he said, unwrapping a chocolate and handing it to her.

She took it with a small smile but couldn't ignore the guilt pressing against her chest. Adrian. She still hadn't told him the truth.

Meanwhile, Adrian's absence in college became more frequent. His mother's illness weighed heavily on him, and Elaine made sure to call him regularly, offering support even if she couldn't always be there in person.

"How's your mom today?" she asked over the phone one evening.

Adrian sighed on the other end. "Same... doctors are still running tests. It's frustrating, Elaine. I feel so useless."

"You're not useless, Adrian," she said softly. "You're doing everything you can. And if you need anything, I'm always here."

There was a pause before he replied, his voice quieter. "I know."

Alex, despite his jealousy, asked about Adrian's mother's health through Elaine.

"How's that guy's mother?" he asked one evening, watching as she placed her phone down.

Elaine sighed, rubbing her temples. "She's not doing great... Adrian's trying to contact his mother's family for help."

Alex clicked his tongue. "He's been missing college a lot."

Elaine glanced at him. "And? What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing." Alex leaned closer, watching her reaction. "Just that... maybe this distance between you two is a good thing."

Elaine narrowed her eyes. "Alex."

He raised his hands in surrender but smirked. "I'm just saying, people drift apart when they're not around each other. And sometimes... it's for the better."

She didn't respond, but her fingers curled into fists she doesn't know why she felt so bad.

Alex let out a quiet sigh before wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I don't want to go back to my apartment," he murmured against her hair. "It feels empty... lonely."

Elaine's heart softened at his words. No matter how much he teased and acted confident, deep down, Alex had his own struggles. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"You can stay here," she said quietly.

Alex pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a smirk. "Are you sure?" His voice carried a teasing edge, but his eyes held something deeper—something vulnerable.

Elaine's cheeks burned as she avoided his gaze. "Yes," she mumbled.

His smirk widened. "Careful, Elaine. You're making it too easy for me to fall for you all over again."

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest lingered.

As they lay on the bed, an awkward silence filled the room. Alex hesitantly reached for Elaine's hand, intertwining their fingers. His grip was warm, firm yet gentle, and she felt her heartbeat quicken.

For Elaine, this was the first time she was sharing a bed with a man—not just any man, but the one she loved. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure Alex could hear it.

For Alex, this wasn't the first time he had shared a bed with a woman, but with Elaine, it felt different. It wasn't just about proximity or warmth—it was about something deeper. Something he had spent years trying to deny.

Neither of them spoke. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, but neither let go. Eventually, Elaine closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart, while Alex simply listened to the quiet rhythm of her breath, holding onto the moment as if afraid it would slip away.

Slowly, Alex shifted closer, his arm wrapping around Elaine's waist as he pulled her into his warmth. She stiffened for a moment, her breath hitching, but then relaxed against him.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

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Elaine's cheeks burned, but she nodded, unable to find her voice. Alex smiled at her shyness, his heart swelling with affection. He gently pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, his lips warm and tender against her skin.

"Sleep, Elaine," he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing small circles on her back.

Elaine closed her eyes, feeling safe in his embrace. For the first time in a long time, she let herself melt into the moment, her heart whispering a truth she had tried so hard to ignore—she loved him, and maybe, just maybe, he truly loved her too.

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In the middle of the night, Elaine's phone buzzed softly on the nightstand before slipping off and landing on the floor with a small thud. The screen cracked slightly from the fall, the display flickering. Half-asleep, Alex groggily reached out, grabbing the phone without looking at the caller ID. He pressed the answer button and muttered, "Hello?"

There was silence on the other end for a moment before the call suddenly cut off. Alex frowned slightly but, still heavy with sleep, brushed it off. "Must be some spam call," he mumbled to himself before placing the phone back on the nightstand and pulling Elaine closer in his sleep.

Meanwhile, miles away, Adrian sat in the dimly lit room, his phone still in his hand, the disconnected call flashing on the screen. His fingers curled around the device, his knuckles white. His expression was unreadable, his eyes blank as he stared at the wall.