Shortly after she disclosed the address, she caught sight of his car. At that moment, foolishly, she believed it to be a mere coincidence, assuming he happened to be in the vicinity.

“For how long were you waiting downstairs at Tyler's dormitory that day? I refuse to believe that you happened to have something to attend to nearby, enabling you to arrive at Tyler's dormitory so quickly," she challenged, her doubts surfacing.

Subconsciously, Theodore reached for the cigarette box, but the realization that he had changed clothes upon awakening stopped him. The cigarette box resided in his coat. Without access to a cigarette, he reached out to touch her hand. But as soon as his fingertips brushed against her hand, she instinctively recoiled.

His fingertips trembled ever so slightly.

“Answer me, Theodore. You are always eloquent, aren't you? Not that it's time for you to explain, but why the silence? What unspeakable secret are you hiding?"

‘Ariana's impatience overshadowed any trace of anger. She was consumed by anxiety, desperate to comprehend his innermost thoughts.

Theodore lowered his gaze and spoke in a hushed tone.

"I've been there since you entered Tyler's dormitory."

“If I hadn't come downstairs, were you planning to ascend and investigate if we were engaging in any shameful activities?" Ariana questioned.

Theodore remained silent.

"Is there anything else?" Ariana pressed further.

"Stop guessing.” Theodore sought to put an end to this line of questioning, yet his attempts only fueled Ariana's growing suspicion. She struggled to recall every interaction she had with him, searching for any peculiarities.

Her mind fixated on the moments when they had been together. Ariana painstakingly retraced those instances, grasping at the peculiar occurrences.

Suddenly, she blurted out, "I have this persistent feeling that I frequently sleepwalk.

Sometimes I wake up on the balcony, only to find myself back in bed. Did you have anything to do with this?"

Theodore's lips trembled slightly, and he confessed, "Yes."

Lifting his head, his bloodshot eyes met hers, brimming with sorrow.

"But I'm only concerned about your well-being. I merely want to..."

He yearned to be in her presence at all times, reluctant to part from her even for a single moment.

Yet, he struggled to articulate these sentiments, loathing himself for his own conduct.