HEARTBEAT

The pinch of pain shot through her head. Slowly and gently, she opened her eyes, but her vision remained unfocused—a blur of bright surroundings within a three-meter radius.

She swallowed hard and hissed as a sharp sting flared at her neck. Suddenly, memories flooded back. This collar. Her fingers lightly traced the device, and she realized with dread that it was electrified.

“Pretty smart moves, huh?!” A cold, harsh voice echoed through the room, sending shivers down her entire body. She knew she had messed up. He would surely kill her for even attempting to escape.

Abruptly, she straightened her back, gritting her teeth against the pain. Carson, watching her struggle, sighed heavily. She’s definitely a lot of work. The thought crossed his mind as he began to approach her.

The moment his hand brushed her arm to help her up, her reflexes kicked in. She flinched back, rejecting his touch. Carson paused, momentarily surprised, but dismissed it quickly.

“I’m just helping you,” he murmured, his voice low as his eyes caught her quivering lips, trembling with fear. That reaction alone was enough to satisfy him.

Reluctantly, she allowed him to assist her. Once she was settled, she stole nervous glances at him, though he noticed every single one. Sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs planted firmly on the floor, Carson’s piercing gaze never left her face.

“Do you not like it here?” His question startled her; it wasn’t the scolding or yelling she had expected.

“I…” She hesitated, but before she could continue, he interrupted.

“I don’t force people to stay with me. If you don’t like it here, I’ll send you back to where you came from.” His jaw clenched as his hands tightened into fists, the barely restrained anger evident in his voice.

“No!” The word burst from her mouth, high-pitched and panicked. Her sudden outcry startled him. “I like it here.”

She vividly remembered Theo, who wouldn’t think twice before putting a gun to her head. Living with Carson could be worse—more dangerous even—but going back meant certain death. She wasn’t ready to die, not when she hadn’t yet lived her life.

“Then why did you try to run away?” His sharp question furrowed her brows, her expression laced with confusion.

“I wasn’t,” she lied, swallowing hard and avoiding his eyes. “I just wanted to get some fresh air.” She lowered her head in shame, her voice barely audible.

One look at her was all it took—he knew she was lying. She’s quite the convincing liar. Yet, his mind was consumed by her—her face, her nervous behavior, her flushed cheeks, and especially her eyes. The moment he’d seen her, he’d known she was worth every penny he’d spent.

“Is this room too suffocating for you?” His cheeky smirk teased her. Caught off guard, she instinctively shook her head, forgetting her earlier excuse.

“You’re moving to my room tonight. Whether this one feels suffocating or not doesn’t matter.” His tone was decisive as he cleared his throat and adjusted his coat. Rising to his feet, he turned toward the door, reminded of the work awaiting him if he wanted to return to her quickly.

“Yo…your room?” Luna stuttered in a whisper. He stopped mid-step and turned back to her. With a swift movement, he leaned down, gently lifting her chin with a single finger.

“Possibly our room from now on,” he whispered, his gaze locking onto hers.

For a fleeting moment, her blurred vision cleared. She couldn’t tell if it was the close distance or her sight improving, but she could now make out his eyes—deep oceanic pools, brimming with a strange mix of happiness, emptiness, and profound sadness.

His gaze flickered to her lips, and he swallowed back the desire that threatened to surface. Quickly stepping away, he left the room without another word.

“Is there a problem, sir?” Drake’s voice broke through as he tried to peek into the room. Carson shot him a glare and slammed the door shut.

Without thinking, Carson grabbed Drake’s hand and placed it firmly against his chest. Drake’s eyes widened in shock, while the bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances.

“Wh…what are you doing?” Drake stammered, attempting to pull his hand away, but Carson’s grip was unyielding.

“Let me go!” Drake hissed, his embarrassment evident as the bodyguards tried not to laugh.

“Does this feel like a normal heartbeat to you?” Carson’s unexpected question left Drake dumbfounded.

“Huh?!” Drake’s confusion deepened, his brow furrowing.

“Is it normal or not?” Carson demanded, his tone forcing Drake to focus.

Reluctantly, Drake complied. “I think it’s faster than usual. Wait a second.” A sudden thought crossed his mind. Placing his other hand on his own chest, he compared their heartbeats.

“Hmm, yours is definitely faster,” Drake concluded after a moment.

“Call an ambulance,” Carson ordered abruptly, prompting the bodyguards to burst into laughter. Carson and Drake both turned to glare at them, silencing their amusement instantly.

“Let’s go to the hospital. You can’t afford to fall sick right now,” Drake agreed, now genuinely concerned.

Carson nodded and strode out of the mansion toward the car. Drake grabbed his tablet and followed closely.

“Hey,” one bodyguard whispered to another. “Do you think they’re…you know?” He interlocked his fingers suggestively.

“Idiot! Why would the boss bring a girl here if that were the case?” The second guard shook his head in disbelief at his colleague’s absurdity.

“Maybe he’s bisexual,” the first one insisted stubbornly.

“Whatever,” the other sighed, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing.

At the hospital, the doctor reviewed the results. “Mr. Carson, your reports are clear. You have no issues whatsoever.”

“Stop messing around and tell me why my heart is racing,” Carson snapped, not buying the reassurance.

The doctor sighed, knowing Carson wouldn’t leave until he got a definitive explanation. “There’s no heart disease or anything abnormal. Were you nervous at the time?”

“Huh? Nervous?” Carson raised a brow. “Impossible.”

“What were you doing when your heartbeat spiked?” the doctor pressed, hoping for an answer to appease Carson.

Images of Luna’s face, her lips, her eyes—all of it—flashed through Carson’s mind like a film reel. He swallowed hard, his desire and frustration mounting.

“Nothing. I’m fine. Thanks for your time,” Carson muttered hurriedly, getting up and leaving the room.

Drake and the doctor exchanged stunned glances.

“What’s wrong with him?” the doctor asked, genuinely baffled.

Drake sighed heavily. “Shouldn’t you be the one to know? You’re the doctor, for heaven’s sake!” With that, he left to follow Carson.

The doctor looked back at Carson’s reports, muttering to himself. “There’s nothing wrong with him.”