Chapter 143
BAINA
Nathan casually walked into the room and sank into the chair beside me, the confidence in his stride unsettling. My stomach twisted in knots as I stared at him, willing myself not to panic. How did he find me? Why was be here?
1 gulped, my mind racing to one name–Alex. I needed him. I needed him now.
Nathan didn’t say anything at first, his sharp eyes sweeping across the room as though he were inspecting his territory. His silence was suffocating, the tension in the room growing thicker with each passing second.
I tried to steady my breathing, but when his gaze finally settled on me, froze. The gentleness he once carried, the charm he used as a weapon, was gone. Instead, his face was etched with bittemess and anger.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said flatly, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
My heart raced, hammering against my ribcage I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came o
He tilted his head to the side, his lips Curling into a twisted smirk that sent chills down my spine. “Say something,” he demanded, his tone laced with Irritation. “Don’t just sit there like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
tpressed my back against the pillows, trying to put as much distance as I could between us without moving.
“You’re hiding things from me,” he continued, his voice growing darker. “Don’t think I don’t see it. I know it’s because of him.”
My lips parted in confusion, and before I could ask, he spat out, “Alex.”
The venom in his tone was palpable.
“That bastard has gotten to you, hasn’t he? Why did you let him?” His eyes flared with fury as he leaned closer.
I stared at him, refusing to dignify his accusation with a response. My silence seemed to provoke him further.
mp to this.”
Nathan sighed, a sound that was far from calm or collected. “You know,” he said, his voice lowering, “I didn’t want it to have to come to
He leaned back, but the menace in his demeanor didn’t lessen. “But you’re still mine, Raine. Do you hear me? Mine. And until I say otherwise, you don’t get to be with another man.”
My hands clenched the blanket tightly. How dare he? The audacity of his words ignited a fire within me.
“That aside,” he continued, his voice rising, “what the hell are you doing in a hospital? And why didn’t anyone think to tell me?”
His sudden pell made me flinch. My pulse quickened, my mind racing for an escape, but I told myself I couldn’t let him win
I swallowed my fear and straightened my back. “I’m not yours,” I said firmly, my voice strady despite the chaos inside me.
Not yours. Not Alor’s. No
He blinked, stunned for a moment by my boldness.
“And who do you think you’re talking to?” I snapped. “Your toy? Your property? Get this through your thick head–I owe you nothing. Not an explanation, not my loyalty, not even a damn phone call.”
Nathan’s jaw ticked, his face darkening as my words sunk in.
“I wanted to deal with my family’s issues first,” I said firmly, gripping the blanket draped over my lap. My voice didn’t waver, though my heart pounded against my ribcage. “Maybe have a conversation with you after. But now? Now I’m sure. You’re worse than Alex. A lot worse.”
The twitch in his eye didn’t escape me. The corner of his mouth raitched too, the kind of movement that sent a warning through my veins.
“You need to leave,” I added, my tone sharp and unyielding
Nathan tilted his head, his lips curling into a menacing smirk. He took a deliberate step toward me, his hand twitching as if he wanted to reach for my throat
Fistinctively leaned back, ready
y to scream for help, but I didn’t have to.
you so much as lay a finger on her,” Alex’s voice boomed through the room, cold and deadly, “you’re losing both arms.”
My head whipped to the door, relled washing over me like a tidal wave. Alex stood there, his eyes blazing, his jaw clenched. He was all fury and strength, a force to be reckoned with
Nathan froze in place, the tension crackling like a live wire.
1/2
+25 Bonus
“They’re in a
FDOM.”
a hospital, Nathan, Alex added, stepping into the room. His voice was low and laced with menace. “I’d be happy to book you a private
The breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped in a shaky sigh.
Dominic appeared behind Alex, his presence just as imposing. He crossed his arms over his chest, his glare sharp enough to cut through steel.
“Step away from my sister,” Dominic said, his voice cold and commanding “What Alex sald would be the least of your problems.”
Nathen turned to look at them, his smirk returning as though he found the situation amusing
“Wow,” he said, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. “He’s gotten to you too, hasn’t he, Dominic? Alex Sullivan. The golden boy,”
He raised both hands in mock surrender, taking a step back. But his gaze didn’t leave mine..
