Chapter 006

“Now,” Andrei confirmed. “Why the rush to leave so quickly, my dear? We've just begun our journey as husband and wife. Shouldn't we savor this time together?"

I swallowed hard, my throat constricting as my anxiety intensified.

With a slight shake of my hand, I attempted to grasp the handle of Andrei's wheelchair, but before I could, he swiftly placed his hand over mine, gently guiding it away from the wheelchair.

“I’ve got this, Brielle.”

He then pressed the controls on the armrest of his wheelchair, and I adjusted my pace to match his.

But my mind was still spinning from the chaos Brielle unleashed. Knocking someone out cold with a bottle? Sure, I knew my bestie can be a bit crazy sometimes. But to hit someone with a damn bottle?

On top of everything else, we didn’t know if Liam had any ties to Andrei.

No. Please, God. Drey is already neck-deep in problems. He's been through a great deal such that I feel empathy for him.

And then, out of the blue, Ivy decides to unleash more trouble. What the hell was she thinking?

Drey’s eyes flicked to me, an expectant look on his face. “Something on your mind, Brielle? You've been awfully quiet."

“Well, I… there’s a bit of a situation with Ivy,” I stammered, trying my best to sound calm. “She needs me.”

“Oh, I see. Hope your friend's alright. Is it urgent?”

I nodded, my mind racing for a way to explain the urgency without revealing too much. “Yes, she's…she's had a bit of an accident. She's um… She's pretty shaken up and could use some moral support…"

“I’d like you to meet my doctor, Eva,” he explained. “After that, you can go check on your friend Ivy. Is that okay?”

“That’s... That's fine."

We entered the spacious living room, and its grandeur took my breath away.

The floor-to-ceiling glass walls exposed the vibrant landscape in all its glory, while the high ceilings and polished floors added an opulent sheen to the already awe-inspiring space.

My attention was drawn to the corner of the room, where I spotted the same gentleman with whom Andrei had previously conversed, standing with the same dignified air as before. He turned his gaze towards me, offering a courteous smile, but I was too disoriented to return the gesture.

Andrei addressed the well-dressed man: “Any news from Liam yet, Paul?”

“I’m afraid we haven’t received any communication from your brother since last night, sir.”

My heart plummeted.

Liam, Andrei… brothers? Holy shit! I needed to take the weight off my feet, so I promptly plopped my ass down on the nearest cushion.

Just as I was grappling with this game-changing revelation, a stunning young woman entered the room, her presence catching me off guard.

Dressed in a crisp, white lab coat, her youthful beauty was striking, highlighted by a cascade of golden blonde hair that danced over her shoulders, framing a face with the most piercing blue eyes I’d ever seen.

Her gaze lingered on me for a fraction too long, giving me an eerie feeling that she was studying me. Realization struck—this must be Dr. Eva, Andrei’s personal doctor.

As she approached Andrei, the atmosphere shifted from businesslike to a warmth that felt almost intimate. She knelt to his level, her hand gently grazing his face.

Her voice, soft yet clear, carried across the room as she announced, “I’ll take off your mask now, Andrei.”

Andrei's refusal was subtle, a simple shake of his head that conveyed more than words ever could.

"Please, Drey. Let me,” Eva's insistence seemed to stem from a place of genuine concern and I couldn’t help but wonder why she was so adamant about removing Andrei’s mask when he was clearly uncomfortable with the idea.

Still, her hand hovered over his mask, her persistence mounting, “Just let me_”

“Didn’t you hear him?” Helen snapped, stepping protectively in front of Andrei as Edna joined her side. “He doesn’t want you to take off his mask. And if you’re smart, you’ll listen.”

Eva's Azure gaze hardened as she stood tall, "I’m a certified medical professional, Helen, and You don’t tell me how to treat my patient.”

“As you can see, Drey is fine. Very fine. When he needs your expertise, we will call you. Now leave!”

Eva chortled in disbelief, “It’s not that simple. “Drey is my patient, and I can’t just up and leave because you demand it. He’s still dealing with PTSD… and he needs treatment.”

“Don’t bother with all this talk about PTSD,” Helen retorted dismissively. “You’re the reason Drey’s suffering from it in the first place. His symptoms only flare up when you’re around.”

“Enough!” The word came out as a snarl, barely contained rage seeping into every syllable. “Both of you. Helen, Eva, enough!”

I had never seen Andrei lose his temper, and it was unexpected to witness his transformation from calm to seething_

The room fell silent but for the suppressed murmurs of Edna, Helen’s glare of disapproval, and Eva’s teeth grinding in barely concealed rage.

Amidst all of this drama, the buzzing of my phone was relentless, a persistent reminder of Ivy’s efforts to reach me. The knot in my stomach tightened, and I nervously bit down on my lips.

With the tension in the living room reaching a fever pitch, I knew it was now or never. I quietly rose from my seat, and quietly walked out of the living room.

I slipped into the kitchen, which featured a glass sliding door that led to the garden. I eased the door open, and Just as I thought I’d made a clean getaway, Andrei's voice cut through the silence, calling out my name.

Shit!