Stole My Heart 💕

10 - Stay away from her

The world around them blurred, fading into insignificance as the only thing that remained sharp and tangible was the pull between them—fragile yet undeniable. It felt as if time itself had lost meaning, stretching into endless moments while simultaneously slipping through their fingers like sand.

The spell was broken by the distant murmur of voices drifting in from the living room. Candice's eyes lit up instantly—her parents had arrived. Just as she made an attempt to stand, a slight wince crossed her face, betraying her pain. Before she could insist on handling it herself, Nick was already at her side.

"Let me help you," he murmured, his voice softer than usual, almost as if it were reserved only for her. His hand found its place at her side, steady and unwavering as he guided her towards the living room.

Stepping into the warmly lit space, Nick's gaze landed on his father, freshly returned from his business trip. His mother was already engaged in a conversation with him, and it was clear from the way she spoke that Candice had been the subject of discussion. As soon as they entered, Nick's father turned his attention toward Candice, offering a warm smile.

"Candice, how are you feeling?" he asked kindly, concern evident in his tone.

Before she could respond, Nick's mother took over. "I already spoke to your parents, sweetheart. They'll be here in two days. Until then, you're staying here with us." Her voice left no room for argument.

Candice hesitated, instinctively wanting to refuse. However, the moment she met Nick's mother's determined expression, she knew there was no point in arguing. Eventually, with a reluctant sigh, she nodded.

Nick's mother beamed at her acceptance. "Perfect! Now, let's all have breakfast."

Nick didn't give Candice a choice but to lean on him as he guided her toward the dining room. Pulling out a chair for her, he made sure she was comfortable before taking the seat next to her. His mother, ever observant, caught the small but meaningful gesture. Sharing a knowing glance with Nick's father, she barely suppressed her amusement. Nick caught her expression immediately and shot her a warning look. She simply giggled in response.

As breakfast commenced, Nick noticed Candice struggling with her food. Without a word, he reached for her plate, cutting her toast into smaller, manageable pieces. Candice glanced up at him, surprised, a soft pink hue creeping onto her cheeks.

"Thank you," she mumbled, flustered.

Nick smirked, his gaze flickering with amusement. "Anytime, baby doll." He winked at her playfully, watching with satisfaction as her face turned a deep shade of red.

The meal continued, conversation flowing naturally among them. But Nick's focus remained on Candice. When she attempted to stand after finishing, her body betrayed her once again. Her ankle gave out beneath her, and before she could fall, Nick was there, his arm slipping around her waist in an instant, steadying her against him.

For a fleeting moment, the air between them crackled with something unspoken. She felt smaller in his hold than he had realized, fragile in a way that made his chest tighten with an unfamiliar feeling.

She opened her mouth, as if ready to protest, but Nick didn't give her the chance. "You're not walking on your own. End of discussion," he said firmly.

Without waiting for further argument, he turned to his mother. "She needs to rest, Mom. I'll take her to her room."

His mother raised a brow, clearly entertained by the situation, but said nothing as Nick effortlessly led Candice back to her room.

Once inside, he stepped away briefly, retrieving a bag he had picked up for her earlier. Holding the dress in his hands, an odd sense of significance settled over him—one he would never dare admit.