The Neighbor

Chapter 75***

Next week

The bed beneath you is soft, wrapped in crisp white sheets that feel cool against your skin, a large duvet draped lazily over both of you. The headboard is made of a rich, dark wood, giving the room a feeling of elegance mixed with the simplicity of island life. The ocean breeze filters through the slightly parted curtains, making the fabric float gently, and the soft rustle of the wind against the linens adds to the sense of peace that fills the room.

Wanda's body is curled behind you, her warmth seeping into your back as her arms wrap protectively around your waist. Her skin is soft, smooth, and you can feel every rise and fall of her chest as she breathes, her body perfectly molded to yours.

It's like she's trying to hold you together, as if her embrace alone is enough to keep you anchored. Her leg is hooked over yours under the sheets, tangling you together in a way that feels so intimate, so safe.

You can't help but let your mind drift to the journey that brought you here the mad rush of last night as you packed up the kids things, preparing Isabella's bottles, making sure the twins had their favorite toys, all the while coordinating with Wanda's parents.

Wanda had been calm, steady, as always, making sure everything was handled while you were caught up in the whirlwind of travel preparations.

The flight had been delayed, late into the night, but none of it mattered once you landed. The exhaustion of the day had melted away as soon as you stepped onto the sandy soil of Bali, feeling the warm tropical air surround you like a hug.

Now, with the chaos behind you, the only thing that matters is this—the soft morning light, the sound of the ocean crashing gently against the shore, and Wanda's arms holding you like she never wants to let go.

You feel Wanda stir behind you, her breath warm against the back of your neck. She shifts slightly, her body pressing even closer, and her auburn hair falls across your shoulder, mixing with your own. You feel her lips brush lightly against the side of your neck, a soft, sleepy kiss, and a hum escapes her, a contented sound that sends warmth through your chest.

"Mmm," she murmurs, her lips grazing your skin again before she speaks. "Good morning, beautiful," she whispers, her voice husky from sleep.

You smile, feeling the heat of her words against your skin. You turn your head slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of her sleepy green eyes, still half lidded as she opens them to look down at you. Her gaze is soft, full of love, and you feel a flutter in your chest at the sight of her like this—vulnerable, relaxed, and completely yours.

"Morning, love," you whisper back, your voice quiet, still thick with sleep, but filled with affection. Wanda smiles down at you, her fingers brushing lightly over your stomach where her arm rests.

She shifts slightly, her gaze darting past you to the open double doors, where the view of the ocean stretches out in front of you. The soft sunlight casts a golden glow over the water, and the waves crash rhythmically against the shore, the sound lulling you into an even deeper sense of calm.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Wanda whispers, her eyes still fixed on the view outside. There's something peaceful in her voice, a quiet awe at the beauty around you.

You nod slowly, following her gaze to the beach outside, watching the palm trees sway gently in the breeze, the endless horizon where the ocean meets the sky. "Yeah," you murmur, your voice soft. "It really is."

But it's not just the view. It's everything. It's her. It's this moment. It's the peace you feel lying in her arms, the sense that for the first time in what feels like forever, you can just be here, with her, without the weight of the world pressing down on you.