Chapter 436 Pretending to Sleep
                    After signing the papers, Bella's gaze fell once again on the vibrant, dewy red roses.
Each petal exuded an irresistible fragrance, making it impossible to ignore their presence. The more she looked, the more she suspected that Sterling might have sent them.
Even though it wasn't really Sterling's style, thinking back on everything that had happened between them recently, it didn't seem entirely out of the question.
But Bella didn't bother to confirm her guess. Even if she called to ask, would she really send the flowers back?
Even if they were from him, so what? Was she supposed to reignite their complicated relationship over a bouquet of flowers?
With that thought, Bella gently shook her head, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. She told herself that since the flowers were now in her hands, they were hers to enjoy.
No matter what they meant, she loved the flowers. After all, what woman doesn't love flowers? She was no exception.
Carefully, she picked up the bouquet of red roses, her eyes sparkling with a gentle smile. This unexpected touch of romance became the highlight of her day.
Bella immediately found a prominent yet unobtrusive spot in the store to place the flowers. Indeed, the bouquet added a romantic touch to the shop.
Serafina stood by the counter, her eyes fixed on the roses, her envy evident.
With her hands clasped over her chest, a slight smile crept onto her lips, as if she, too, was touched by the sudden romance. "Who sent them, really?" she couldn't help but ask again, her tone filled with curiosity and urgency.
Bella looked at the flowers, feeling much better thanks to the unexpected gift.
"Who cares who sent them," Bella said with a light, carefree smile.
Bella understood that whether or not the flowers were from Sterling didn't matter. What mattered was enjoying the beauty of the moment, not digging into its origins.
Serafina was surprised for a moment, then she smiled too, understanding Bella's nature.
"You're right, the flowers are in your hands now, who cares who sent them." Serafina nodded, her tone reflecting agreement and relief.
In the hotel room, the soft lighting filled every corner, adding a touch of warmth and serenity to the quiet space.
Anna lay on the plush bed, sleeping soundly, her breathing even and deep, as if the whole world had nothing to do with her.
Her long hair was scattered haphazardly on the pillow, contrasting sharply with the white sheets, making her look even more delicate and endearing.
Colin, meanwhile, was playing on his phone. Every now and then, he looked up at the sleeping Anna with a mix of helplessness and affection.
After dinner, Anna had insisted on taking a nap. He thought she was just saying it, but she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, without even blinking.
They hadn't seen each other for days, and he had hoped they could spend some quality time together, but she had gone straight to dreamland.
With a sigh, Colin put his phone aside and gently nudged Anna's shoulder. "Hey, Anna, wake up. I need to talk to you," he said softly.
Anna stirred slightly but didn't open her eyes. She seemed lost in her dream world, oblivious to everything around her. Colin chuckled helplessly and lay back down, picking up his phone again.
As time went by, Colin grew increasingly bored. He tossed his phone aside and pulled Anna into his arms.
The moment he touched her, a strange sensation coursed through him, and he couldn't help but start some playful, mischievous moves.
His breathing grew heavy, and Anna seemed to sleep fitfully. She shifted slightly, her leg draping over Colin's.
His heart skipped a beat as his eyes fell on her smooth legs. In the dim light, her skin looked especially delicate, like fine porcelain. The sight was a powerful temptation.
At his age, resisting such temptation was nearly impossible. But seeing Anna still asleep, he forced himself to hold back.
Colin felt a deep sense of frustration.
In reality, Anna had started to wake up when she turned over. She sensed the subtle changes in her surroundings and the unusual touch on her body. But she didn't open her eyes, choosing to feign sleep to avoid the reality of their situation.
That morning, they had argued over something trivial. Although they had talked it out, the unpleasant feelings lingered, weighing her down.
Anna couldn't understand why she felt so uncertain about their relationship. It had been so sweet once, so why was it now filled with doubt and confusion?
As she felt his hands moving gently over her, her heart began to race.
Suddenly, Colin's hand brushed against a sensitive spot on her waist. Anna was extremely ticklish, and she instinctively jerked away from his touch, a reaction far too quick and natural for someone supposedly asleep.
Colin froze, his heart tightening. "You're awake, aren't you?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Anna knew she couldn't keep pretending. She sighed softly, slowly moving her leg off Colin, trying to make her movements seem natural.
"I'm just going to sleep a bit more," she said, her voice tinged with fatigue and helplessness, trying to hide her embarrassment and inner turmoil.
But Colin could hear the slight unease in her voice. He looked at her, his gaze filled with complex emotions. He knew their problems couldn't be solved with a simple hug or an accidental touch. He felt a deep sense of helplessness but also knew they needed to face and resolve these issues.
Determined not to let her escape again, Colin gently but firmly shook her shoulder. "Don't go back to sleep, babe. Otherwise, you won't be able to sleep tonight."
With that, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his body pressing against hers, radiating heat and strength. Their heartbeats intertwined as he leaned down, aiming to seal her lips with a kiss.