Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

THIRTY SEVEN

The penthouse was wrapped in an oppressive silence as Lada stepped through the door, the city lights casting long shadows that seemed to swallow her whole. It is 2:30 a.m., and the weight of exhaustion hung heavily on her shoulders, starkly contrasting with the lively home she had distanced herself from.

A deep sigh escaped her lips, echoing through the hallway—a mixture of guilt and weariness. How long has it been since I tucked Narin into bed? Work had become her refuge, a way to avoid the emotional turmoil swirling inside her. Standing there, the emptiness felt suffocating, a reminder of what she had sacrificed.

She moved silently toward Narin's room, gently pushing the door open. The soft, warm glow of the nightlight cast a comforting halo around her daughter's peaceful form. Lada's heart ached as she watched Narin nestled in her blankets, lost in dreams that Lada had been absent from.

Kneeling beside the bed, Lada traced the gentle curve of her daughter's cheek with trembling fingers. "I'm so sorry, baby," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Mommy's been too busy... too caught up in everything. I didn't mean to leave you alone. To scold you." She sighed deeply, adding quietly, "It's not just work, Lada. You're hiding from Earn, making excuses instead of facing the truth."

Narin stirred, her tiny hand twitching. Lada's fingers wove through her daughter's hair, brushing it with a tenderness she had almost forgotten. The guilt sliced through her, seeing even in sleep the faint traces of sadness on Narin's face.

"Once everything settles," Lada murmured, more to herself than to her sleeping child, "Mommy will make time for you. I promise I'll fix this." Her vow hung in the air, a fragile promise to mend the fractures in her life.

Lada carefully adjusted the blanket, tucking it securely around Narin to shield her from the chill. With a final, lingering glance, she stood and walked away, her heart heavy with each step.

Her feet carried her almost of their own accord toward her study. Pausing at the door, she noticed a faint light spilling from the crack. "I thought I turned that off," she murmured, curiosity piqued.

Pushing the door open slowly, her breath caught as she took in the sight before her. Earn was sprawled comfortably in Lada's study chair, a book resting on her lap. The room was charged with an electric intensity, every detail amplified by the sultry glow of the desk lamp.

"Oh... I didn't realize..." Lada began, her voice faltering as she processed the scene. "I'll leave." She reached for the door handle, her hand trembling slightly.

"No," Earn's voice was low and commanding, halting Lada's retreat. "Stay. I'm just finishing up. I'll be done shortly."

Lada turned back slowly, her breath catching as her eyes landed on Earn. The light revealed Earn's figure clad in provocative lace lingerie, barely containing her ample breasts. The sheer fabric clung to her skin, the delicate lace outlining her full, rounded cleavage and making her nipples visible through the thin material. The matching panties were equally revealing, hugging her toned hips and accentuating the curve of her ass, making it impossible for Lada to tear her gaze away.

"Why are you..." Lada trailed off, trying to steady her voice.

Earn looked up, eyes locking with Lada's. "Why am I what?"

Lada didn't answer.

Is this some sort of game? Are you trying to push my buttons, Earn?

Her eyes traced the way the fabric clung to Earn's curves, her gaze inevitably drawn to the tantalizing outline of her rounded ass and full breasts.

Earn rose from the chair with a slow, deliberate grace, her movements smooth and confident. She walked towards the bookshelf, hips swaying with each step, the lace shifting over her body in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Lada swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure, her eyes unwillingly following Earn's every movement.