Then—
“Aah—!”
A sharp scream tore out of her throat.
She dropped the glass back onto the counter with a clatter and stumbled backward, her face turning pale.
“Magnus?!” she shouted, her voice rising with panic.
Without thinking, she turned and ran straight toward Magnus.
In the next second, she jumped into him.
Magnus reacted instantly, his hands coming up to catch her. He grabbed her thighs, lifting her up against him as she clung to him tightly.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers digging into his shirt as she pressed herself against him.
“Cockroach! Cockroach!” she cried, pointing toward the sink, her voice shaking. “It’s right over there!”
Her voice rose with every word, panic clear as she buried herself closer against him.
Magnus stiffened for a split second at her sudden jump, then an amused smile tugged at his lips.
His grip on her tightened instinctively, one arm firm under her thighs, the other securing her against his chest as she clung to him.
He could feel it—her heartbeat, fast and frantic, pounding against him.
He drew in a slow breath, steadying himself, then started walking toward the sink with her still wrapped around him.
“Don’t go near that! Are you mad?” she cried, clinging to him even harder.
Her arms locked around his neck, fingers digging into his shoulders as she buried her face against his neck, eyes squeezed shut. Her breath came fast and uneven, warm against his skin.
Magnus adjusted her in his arms, holding her securely. Still carrying her, he walked toward the sink.
“No—don’t go near it!” she shrieked at once, tightening her grip around his neck.
Ignoring her panic, he reached the counter, grabbed a plastic container, and moved with calm precision. He placed it over the cockroach, trapping it underneath.
Then he picked up a lid and slid it carefully beneath the container. With a smooth, practiced movement, he sealed it shut.
Sophia stayed frozen against him, not daring to look.
Magnus carried it to the door, opened it, and tipped the container, letting the cockroach fall outside before pulling it back in and shutting the door.
Magnus turned, walked over to the dustbin, and tossed the container inside.
Only then did he shift his attention back to her.
His arm tightened slightly around her waist as he said, “It’s gone. I took care of it.”
Her breathing was still uneven.
Slowly, she lifted her head from his neck.
Still holding onto him, she cautiously glanced toward the sink, her eyes scanning it to make sure.
There was nothing there.
