Chapter 38
Chapter 38
I blinked up at him, breath stuck somewhere between my throat and chest. His hand was still under my chin, his fingers firm but not rough. I nodded slowly, not even sure why, just trying to anchor myself.
“I I’m sorry,” I murmured. “For overreacting. I just, everything’s been a lot.”
His thumb brushed lightly against my jaw before he let go.
I stepped back, but it didn’t help. The heat lingered between us, thick and heavy. I could still feel where his touch had been. Still feel how close we’d just been standing.
He didn’t move, just kept watching me. His chest was still rising and falling from the workout, sweat clinging to his collarbones, trailing down the sharp cut of his abs. My eyes dropped for half a second before I forced them back up, face burning.
God.
Why was it so hard to think when he was like this? Shirtless, hair damp, his whole body tense and carved and completely impossible to ignore.
My legs shifted slightly, too aware of my own pulse. I reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to hide the redness
creeping up my neck.
“I should -um – I should probably get some rest, 1 said, my voice quieter than I meant it to be. “It’s the weekend so no work today,”
He didn’t reply, just raised a brow slightly like he knew exactly what I was trying to escape from.
I nodded to myself and turned, walking out with my steps a little too fast
Only when the door closed behind me did let out the breath Td been holding.
What the hell was happening to me?
I stepped out of the gym, still catching my breathy–not from the workout, but from the heat of everything that just happened. I needed to cool down, shift focus, get back to something normal.
Kent was standing by the hallway near the staircase, arms folded as usual, his posture stiff and unreadable. I walked up to him and offered a small nod.
“Thank you,” I said, not sure what else to add.
He gave a slight dip of his head, barely acknowledging it.
I cleared my throat. “Is there anything you need me to do? Any work I can help with?”
“No tasks at the moment, he replied, tone clipped and firm.
I glanced around the quiet hallway. “Why are you even here! Isn’t it your weekend too!”
He didn’t flinch. “I work for Mr. Lever. My schedule depends on his, not the calendar”
Of course, I should’ve known that was the answer, but it still made something in my chest feel small. I gave a slight nod and backed away without another word, letting him return to whatever it was he did when he wasn’t busy watching everything.
I let out a quiet breath as I climbed the stairs, already feeling a bit more settled. After everything that just happened with Karl, I actually felt okay. Not fixed, but steadier.
But as I passed the hallway near the kitchen, I saw a shadow moving
I slowed down, someone was limping toward the fridge.
Сурку
Shit I almost forgot she was even here. I remembered the reason she had sprained her ankle she must think of me as an overbearing bitch. I reminded myself that it had nothing to do with Karl at all and was just all me for being so upset with Darren and Layla even now and so I was letting it tell in my actions, I tried to convince myself this was why
paused for a second, debating. Then I made myself walk toward her. This was the right thing to do. I’d overreacted. I had made a scene. And honestly, she was the one who got hurt in all of that.
10:42 AM
Chapter 38
“Hey,” I said, my voice low, careful. “How’s your leg?”
She turned, leaned slightly on the counter, brows raised. “Ah,” she said with a dry smile, “you finally asked.”
1 sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry I overreacted. It was my fault you got hurt. I just-
1 looked down for a second, gathering the rest of my words.
“I know you must’ve been surprised to see me here. In Karl’s..“I hesitated. The word tasted strange now. But I forced it out “Wife.”
I extended a hand, trying to be the bigger person.
Her eyes dropped to my hand, then back to my face..
And suddenly–she straightened. No more limp. No more weak stance.
She scoffed, folded her armas, and tilted her head with a mocking grin. “Of course I know who you are, she said. “He was desperate for me to know
My hand slowly dropped to my side.
“I was curious, I’ll admit,” she went on. “I wanted to know who the bitch was The one he chose to replace me.”
I blinked, stunned. “Excuse me?”
She took a small step forward. No limp. Her posture was strong now, confident.
“Oh, the leg?” she smirked. “Yeah, that’s fine. I just wanted to see how far he’d go. And apparently, he’s sull willing to drag everything around him through the mud just to get my attention.”
I stared at her, trying to wrap my head around what she was saying “You lied? You faked the injury?”
She rolled her eyes. “What injury? I needed to know if the obsession was still there. And guess what? It is?
She walked past me slowly, her heels clicking on the tile Eke nothing had happened.
“Some wife you are,” she muttered without even turning her head. “If I’m still all he can think about.”
She turned the corner and disappeared into the hallway, not limping even a little., her bandaged ankle looking just fine.
I stood there, completely frozen, my hands still at my sides, wondering what the hell just happened.
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