“I know that it’s not your intention to worry us, but I regret even more that I can’t keep you company during this time.” Tobey sounded tired when he asked Deirdre, “Who is this Mr. Reed?”Deirdre was momentarily stunned and bit her lower lip before she told Kyran that she was going out to take the call. She took the liberty to walk out of the room and shut the door before she said, “He’s a new acquaintance of mine.”“He seems to object to my presence very much,” Tobey said half-jokingly, yet with a tinge of seriousness. “It would be great if I were by your side.”Deirdre’s expression turned gentle. She was about to speak when someone walked past her and said with excitement that could not be concealed, “Do you know that Brendan Brighthall from Neve is in our hospital?”All the blood drained from Deirdre’s face instantly, and her eyes widened incredulously as she looked in the direction of the source of the voice.The voice continued to say, “I heard that he is still single, and r
’Protect?’Deirdre understood that no one would be able to protect her in Brendan’s presence because he was a madman who acted on his will. ‘If he is happy, he will smile at you. But if he is displeased, he will figure out all sorts of ways to destroy you, and no one can stand a chance against him. How can he protect me from him?‘Moreover… why does it have to be so coincidental that he is in the same hospital as Kyran and they are warded on the same level?’“I really am fine.” Deirdre clenched her fists tightly and inhaled three deep breaths once again to calm herself. She rubbed her face and said, “I’m just tired because I didn’t sleep well in the car last night.”Upon hearing that, Kyran typed, “I’ll get Declan to take you somewhere to rest when he’s up.”“Sure.”Deirdre seized the opportunity to walk outside once again.Even though she hoped to cut ties with Brendan, she had to figure out which level and room Brendan was staying at first.She felt her way to the elevator
’1106…1106…‘Isn’t that Kyran’s room? How is it Brendan’s room?‘It’s supposed to be Kyran’s room! I was there earlier! Unless…’All the blood drained from Deirdre’s face, and her eyes widened in fear. ‘Unless Kyran and Brendan are the same person.’Deirdre stood in the same spot, stunned. It felt as if her energy was drained from her body, and she was incapable of moving. The thought of the reveal was suffocating. Yet, it was not utterly impossible when she thought about it closely.Kyran had always kept up with his mute image since he showed up, and she could not see with her eyes, so she could not reveal Brendan’s identity. He could turn himself into a stranger.She was probably oversensitive, but when she thought about it closely, it was highly possible for Kyran to be Brendan. In fact, Kyran was admitted to the hospital when news of Brendan’s hospitalization was reported. How could it be such a coincidence that both of them were admitted to the same hospital?She was un
It felt like a nuke was dropped right in the middle of Deirdre’s chest. Her eyes began to water. How dare he tell her to calm down? How could he still be thinking about continuing this stupid charade!?Deirdre’s head was spinning. She placed her hand against her temple and shut her eyes, gnashing her teeth to endure the pain before opening them again. She turned in Declan’s direction, her glassy eyes boring through his face. “Who is Kyran Reed really?”“Who is Kyran?” Declan paused. “Er, you’re losing me, Miss McKinnon. Kyran is, well, Kyran. He’s my friend. My brother from another mother. What? You suspect he has a crimefighting alter ego or something?”“You really think this is the time to keep up this stupid charade!?” She exhaled, her fists tightening. She took a deep breath. “I heard what the nurses said. The man who’s staying in No. 1106 is Brendan Brighthall. But Kyran is the one who’s there, isn’t he? Which means Brendan and Kyran have been the same person this whole time!
Deirdre’s face was as white as a sheet. Hearing both his name and a question about their relationship triggered her. Fortunately for her, Declan knew better than to pursue the thread. “No, never mind. It must have been something deeply distressing from the looks of it, so I won’t press on it anymore.”“Thank you,” Deirdre muttered under her breath. “God, I told Miss Charlene McKinney Mr. Reed’s room by mistake just now. That’s not good,” the first nurse murmured. “I should go up there and inform her of the change.”“You don’t have to,” replied the head nurse. “I’ll inform the nurses on that floor.” “Okay.”Their conversation died.Deirdre bit her lips as a new question took hold of her mind. Should she go up there? Charlene was there right now…“You wanna take a break, Miss McKinnon? I’ll get you a room in a nearby hotel. You can come back in the evening. How does that sound?”Deirdre stiffened for a moment and replied hastily, “T-That’s great.” She felt lucky to have met
“Good call, Dee Dee. It’s a snowstorm here, Dee Dee. The roads have been blocked for the time being! I feel better knowing that Mr. King and Mr. Reed are taking care of you.”Eilis’s lecture went on for a little longer. Her wide-ranging topic included Deirdre’s safety and how she should never run off alone. Finally, the call ended.Deirdre sat on her bed, indecisive. After mulling it over, she punched Tobey’s numbers. The recipient practically answered it on the first beep, “Dee?”Deirdre was still a little surprised at how fast he was. “Toby! You’re… quick. Aren’t you supposed to be resting or something?”“I rested,” Tobey replied, massaging his temples. “I went to work after a short few hours of rest.”Deirdre felt a pang of guilt. “Sorry. I cost you last night, didn’t I? And you still have to work the next day.”Tobey could not help letting out a cackle. “God, Dee. I swear, if you’re calling me just to say you’re sorry, then I wish I didn’t answer you at all.”Deirdre gave a
“Wait, so you two are not…” Tobey froze for a moment before sighing in relief. “Oh my God, Dee! You almost gave me a heart attack!“Listen very carefully. The last thing we common folks wanna do is to find ourselves involved in these nobles’ skirmishes. We don’t have status or wealth to back us, Dee. The only thing that’s gonna come out of this is us being chewed up and torn apart by the chaos.” Deirdre felt her entire body turning into stone. She closed her eyes, her eyelids trembling, and wished someone had told her this earlier. If only someone had told her sooner. God, things would have been so different!“I know what you mean, Toby. But I’m only acquainted with Mr. King because he’s the man behind the plans to develop Alnwick into a tourist spot.” “Oh, so it was him.” A severe look crossed Tobey’s face. He mulled it over for a second and frowned. “It’s a profitable business and all, yet I can’t help but find this a little suspicious. Why does a man with that much power and r
“Miss McKinney is—”The assistant hardly got one more word in before the shrill sound of high heels stabbing the floor reverberated throughout the hall. Its fitful beat was indicative of the wearer’s frazzled concern.“Brendaaaan!” Charlene called out frantically, her fingers gripping her handbag. “Why aren’t you lying on your bed right now?! Did you listen to what the doctor said? You’re in no shape to walk around, darling! You must get on with the operation and take a long break!”Not a hint of warmth surfaced in Brendan’s frigid visage. His icy tone hardly thawed. “Make me stay inside any longer, and I’ll be no different from a corpse.”“But you should at least tell me before you leave! And look at your buttons. They are mismatched, darling. I can’t let you suffer even the weakest winter breeze!” She tossed her bag to the assistant and latched her manicured fingers around his buttons, ensuring they were all done properly. Only after Brendan’s coat hugged tightly around his che