Share

039. Now it's real...

Author: sammie
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Chloe slowly stirred, her senses coming to life before her consciousness fully returned. The first thing she registered was the faint and steady beeping of machines nearby, a rhythmic sound that echoed softly through the room.

The air was filled with a strong smell of antiseptic, mixed with a light hint of roses—Mrs. Warren must have brought flowers.

Then came the distant murmur of voices, low and concerned.

Chloe blinked, her world still a blur of darkness, but she wasn’t disoriented. She knew where she was. The hospital.

A sigh escaped her lips, and she shifted slightly. Her body felt heavy, like the exhaustion had finally sunk into her bones. Just as she tried to push herself up, a gentle hand was on her arm.

"Chloe, dear, don’t rush," came the soft, familiar voice of Mrs. Warren. "Just lie back. You need to rest."

Chloe let herself sink back into the bed, feeling the softness of the pillows beneath her head.

She didn’t want to rest.

Not now.

"I’m fine," she muttered weakly, he
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP

Related chapters

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   040. Don't lie to me...

    Chloe could hear the soft beeping of medical machines from the other side of the door, and the faint murmur of voices. Mrs. Warren gently knocked before pushing the door open.As she pushed Chloe’s wheelchair into the hospital room, the sound of a news anchor’s voice reached her ears.“…following her sudden collapse at the press conference, many are questioning whether Chloe Westbrook is ready to lead Westbrook Industries during this critical period…”Chloe’s stomach dropped. The newscaster’s words felt like a knife twisting in her gut, confirming all the fears and doubts she had been trying to suppress. They were talking about her—her failure, her collapse—broadcasted for the world to see.The sound of the news cut off abruptly, followed by a flurry of movement. Adam, fumbling with the remote, had quickly turned off the television as soon as he noticed her entering the room.“Chloe!” Adam called out, his voice sounding too bright, too forced as he tried to pretend, hoping Chloe didn

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   041. What did I miss?

    Dan Sawyer stepped off the private jet, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face as he descended the steps. The plane had just touched down, and despite the exhaustion from his two-day business trip, his mind was already back on the things that mattered.As he reached the black luxury sedan waiting for him, his assistant, Kyle, stood by the door, phone in hand, ready to update him on everything that had transpired during his absence.“Welcome back, Mr. Sawyer,” Kyle greeted him as Dan slid into the back seat. “How was your trip?”“Productive,” Dan replied, loosening his tie. “But you know how it is—good to be back.” He settled into the plush leather seat, feeling the weight of the past two days fall off his shoulders. “So, what did I miss? Anything urgent while I was away?”Kyle glanced at his tablet, flipping through his notes as the driver pulled away from the private airstrip. "There’s been a lot of media coverage about Westbrook Industries these past two days. Your ex-wif

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   042. A distracted deal...

    The warehouse was damp, cold, and stuffy. A single, dim bulb swung lazily from the ceiling, casting long, flickering shadows across the grimy concrete floor. The scent of gasoline, stale tobacco, and mildew mixed with the distant echo of dripping water from a corner. It was a familiar setting for Leo—negotiations that are carried out in clandestine locations.But tonight, something felt off.Leo leaned against a stack of old crates, his eyes scanning the faces of the men across from him. The Gagliano brothers stood on the other side of the room, shrouded in darkness, waiting. Their faces showed no clear emotions, and their bodies were stiff, ready for a fight if necessary. Feelings of mistrust filled the air—the kind that could deadly in just a heartbeat.Anton, Leo’s second-in-command, stood beside him, arms crossed, his eyes flicking back and forth between the Gaglianos and their men. He sensed the danger too, but Leo was distracted.His thoughts kept circling back to Chloe.He tr

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   043. The pressure is mounting...

    The sterile, brightly lit hallways of City General Hospital were almost too quiet for Chloe’s liking. The faint hum of fluorescent lights, the soft beeping of distant monitors, and the muffled voices of nurses.Everything blended together into a dull background buzz as she made her way down the corridor toward the ICU. Her cane tapped lightly against the smooth tile floor, a steady rhythm that did little to calm her nerves.The smell of antiseptic—sharp, metallic, and sterile—hung in the air. Hospitals always made Chloe uneasy, after having to visit twice a week when with Dan to donate blood for his lover but today, that feeling was even stronger. It wasn’t just the usual discomfort that came from being in a place where people were so vulnerable; it was the weight of everything else. The company, her family, her collapsing at the press conference, and now... her parents.Her parents. She could hardly call them that.Since learning she was a Westbrook, Chloe had never met them. Ric

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   044. Pretend to care?

    The hospital waiting room was nearly empty, bathed in the dull, sterile glow of fluorescent lights. The ticking of a clock on the wall echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet space. It was late evening, and most visitors had gone home. Only the occasional sound of a nurse’s hurried footsteps or the soft beeping of machines broke the silence.Leo sat hunched in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs, his bruised knuckles resting on his knees. The throbbing pain from his recent run-in with the Gaglianos pulsed through his body, but his mind was far from the events of the night. His thoughts were fixed on Chloe.After the deal gone wrong with the Gaglianos, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing worry that had taken root, so he had come straight to the hospital, barely pausing to clean himself up. He wasn’t sure why, but Chloe had a way of drawing him in, making him care in ways he hadn’t expected.He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion tugging at him, but still, he waited. He had asked for C

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   045. In a tight spot...

    Chloe stood in the sleek, glass-walled boardroom of Westbrook Industries, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the faint scent of leather from the high-backed chairs surrounding her. She had arrived just before dawn, slipping into the company like a ghost. The doctors had advised her to rest, her brothers had insisted she take a break, but Chloe couldn't afford that luxury. Not now. Not with everything hanging in the balance.She stood at the head of the table, hands resting on the cool surface, feeling the weight of the room pressing in on her. Around her, the board members were murmuring in low voices, casting uneasy glances her way. She could sense their doubt, their thinly veiled skepticism. They didn’t trust her, not yet. And she collapsing yesterday after the press conference had only deepened their concerns.As Marcus ushered the last of the members into the room, Chloe took a deep breath, steel

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   046. Just a slip?

    Dan woke to the warm, wet sensation of soft lips moving up and down his length, the pleasure slowly pulling him from the haze of sleep. His eyes fluttered shut again as a low groan escaped his throat, surrendering to the familiar sensations coursing through his body. His fingers gripped the bedsheets, his muscles tightening as the intensity built. His head fell back against the pillow, and without thinking, he moaned, “Chloe…”The moment the name left his lips, his body froze. The pleasure reached its peak, and he came hard, but the name he had whispered in the heat of the moment lingered in the air like a bomb about to go off. For a second, the room was silent. Then came the sharp, cold shift in the atmosphere.“Chloe?” Sofia’s voice was like ice. She pulled away from him, her eyes narrowing as she stood at the edge of the bed, her lips still slightly swollen from her efforts.Dan opened his eyes, cursing inwardly as he sat up, the sudden tension between them cutting through the a

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   047. Uncertain future...

    Sofia followed the nurse down the long hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished tile floor. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying the argument from earlier that morning and the sting of Dan saying Chloe's name during an intimate moment. She maintained a calm expression, but anger bubbled just below the surface. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Dan’s insistence on coming to the hospital today.As they reached the exam room, Sofia paused, suddenly remembering she had left her phone in her bag back in the doctor’s office. “Oh, I forgot something,” she told the nurse, turning on her heel and heading back down the hall.Her pace quickened as she neared the doctor’s office, the sound of Dan’s voice reaching her ears. She slowed; her curiosity piqued. Something in his tone was different—more urgent. She edged closer, just outside the door, her hand hesitating on the handle when she heard Dan speak.“...did you notice anything unusual about Chloe the las

Latest chapter

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   086. Back from a kidnap...

    The ride to the hospital was calm, with the sound of the car engine providing a steady background to Chloe’s thoughts. She had asked Leo to take her there to see her brothers first before driving her home.Sitting beside Leo, she found herself nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.“You’re unusually quiet,” Leo said softly, his voice breaking the silence.Chloe tilted her head in his direction, offering a faint smile. “Just thinking,” she admitted. “About Adam and Francis. I can’t imagine how worried they’ve been.”“They’ll feel better seeing you,” Leo reassured her. “It’ll do them good to know you’re safe.”She nodded, her fingers tightening slightly on the fabric. “Thank you for bringing me here. I couldn’t go home without seeing them first.”The hospital came into sight, its plain outside shining softly in the afternoon light. As they pulled into the driveway, Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was sure to be an emotional reunion.Inside, the soft beeping o

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   085. Mutual feelings...

    Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting muted shadows across the guest room. Chloe stirred beneath the warm covers, her senses gradually awakening to the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. The sound of a low, hushed voice caught her attention, drawing her from the edges of sleep.She remained still, her head resting lightly against the pillow, as she strained to catch the words.“...need to find out who it was,” Leo’s voice murmured in a firm but quiet voice. “I don’t care what it takes. They targeted her, and I won’t let it go unanswered.”There was a pause, presumably the other person responding. Leo’s tone softened but held its edge. “Just keep me updated. I want answers soon.”The line clicked off, and Chloe heard the faint rustle of movement. She let her breathing remain slow and even, unsure if she should acknowledge what she’d overheard. Before she could decide, Leo’s voice broke the quiet again.“Chloe?” he said softly, closer now. “You’re awak

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   084. A guided tour...

    The dining room grew quiet again as the remnants of their dinner were cleared away. Chloe sat back in her chair, her fingers tracing the edge of her napkin. Despite the tension of the past few days, this moment of calm felt precious, even fleeting. She exhaled softly, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time since the ordeal began.“Chloe,” Leo began, breaking the silence with a thoughtful tone. “Would you like to take a stroll? Stretch your legs a bit?”She tilted her head, intrigued. “A stroll?”“Just around the mansion,” he said. “It’s quiet this time of night. I can show you the garden, maybe even the library if you’d like.”Her lips quirked into a faint smile. “A guided tour of the Leo King estate? How could I say no?”Leo chuckled as he stood, moving to her side to offer his arm. “Shall we?”Chloe hesitated for a moment before taking his arm. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be resting, you know,” she reminded him in a teasing tone.“I’ll be fine,” he replied smoothly. “

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   083. Evening already?...

    When Chloe woke up, the room was a bit dark and silent. The gentle sound of the air conditioning and the far-off footsteps were all that suggested that there was life in the mansion somewhere. Chloe was now lying in bed, feeling the soft mattress underneath her, which was very different from the chair where she had dozed off.She sat up slowly, disoriented for a moment. Her hands brushed against the soft sheets, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. The faint ache in her muscles from the events of the day before made her sigh softly.“You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice said from somewhere nearby in a warm and teasing tone.Chloe turned her head toward the sound, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Leo,” she said softly. “You’re out of bed. You shouldn’t be up. You should be resting.”“Don’t tell me you’re going to be one of those grumpy nurses who would keep me in bed all day if they could,” he quipped with a faint chuckle in his voice.Chloe couldn’t help but laugh

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   082. First kiss…

    The room was still and quiet, the only sound you could hear was the soft, rhythmic beeping of the monitors beside Leo’s bed. Shadows from the dim overhead light played across the walls, creating a calm amidst the storm that had torn through the night.Chloe sat slumped in the chair beside him, her head resting on the edge of his bed. Her breathing was soft, her face turned slightly toward him, her fingers still curled around his hand as if even in sleep, she couldn’t let him go.Leo’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his vision hazy and blurred at first. The ache in his chest was a dull throb, a reminder of the bullet that had narrowly missed his heart. He blinked, the fog lifting as his gaze focused on the figure beside him.Chloe.For a moment, he simply watched her. Strands of her hair fell across her face, and her lips were parted slightly in the relaxed stillness of sleep. Despite the exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath her eyes, there was a softness to her features that

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   081. Not found yet...

    The room was dimly lit, filled with sweat and the smell of cigarette smoke. Signs of earlier chaos were everywhere, with debris scattered around and chairs turned over. The man in charge of the kidnap, a wiry man with a gaunt face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, paced back and forth, his boots thudding heavily against the concrete floor.Before him, three men knelt, their faces bruised, blood trickling down from cuts on their foreheads and lips. Each bore the aftermath of a mission gone disastrously wrong, but they kept their heads bowed, too terrified to meet their leader’s burning gaze.The wiry man suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing on the closest man. “Just thirty damn minutes. Thirty!” he snarled, his voice echoing sharply against the cold, bare walls. “I told you to watch her, to keep her contained. All you had to do was scare her. Make her sweat a little. That’s it!”He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. “And not only do you mess it up,” he growled, his voice dr

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   080. Surgery successful...

    The office building had grown eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the oppressive weight of uncertainty. Marcus paced in Chloe’s office, her cane and phone resting on the desk where he’d placed them after retrieving them from the floor outside. Every so often, his eyes darted to his watch. Over an hour had passed since Leo had taken off with Chloe. No updates. No calls.Marcus stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Leo’s number. He’d called twice already, and each time, the line went straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shoving the phone back into his pocket.The silence in the room felt deafening. Marcus’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if something had gone wrong? What if the men who had taken Chloe had backup? What if—No. He shook his head, forcing himself to stay calm. Leo would handle it. He promised he would. But the nagging feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He had waited long enough.Taking a deep breath, Marcu

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   079. He's not dead yet...

    Anton gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he pressed the accelerator, speeding through the city’s streets with no regard for traffic lights or the blare of honking horns. The SUV roared past intersections, weaving through traffic like a predator hunting its prey. In the back seat, Chloe held Leo’s limp body against her, her tears staining his shirt as she tried to steady him.Her chest heaved with sobs, her mind consumed with guilt. “This is my fault,” she whispered in a trembling voice. “He’s hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been—”“Enough!” Anton’s voice interrupted her. “He’s not dead yet, so stop crying over him like he is. Save it for later, when he can yell at you himself.”Chloe flinched at his tone, biting her lip to hold back her tears. She knew he was right—her tears wouldn’t help Leo now—but the feel of his blood soaking through his shirt, his shaky breaths, and the shallow rise and fall of his chest shattered her resolve. She nodded weakly, holding

  • The Blind Heiress Returns: Wanted By My Ex's Mafia Uncle   078. Rescued but...

    A moment later, another set of footsteps entered the room—a slower and more deliberate one.“Chloe?” The familiar voice called out.Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. “Leo?” she whispered, disbelief and relief flooding her at once.Leo’s voice was calm yet clear, piercing the musty atmosphere of the dimly lit room. “I’d be careful if I were you.” His gun was raised, trained with deadly precision on the man holding Chloe.The kidnapper paused for a moment, keeping his gun aimed at Chloe, his hand tightening around the handle. “You wouldn’t put her life in danger,” he sneered, but the slight tremor in his voice revealed his doubt.Leo’s eyes burned with cold fury. “You think I won’t put a bullet in your head before you can even pull that trigger?” His words carried no bravado, only the lethal certainty of a man who had done worse for less.The man hesitated, his resolve faltering under Leo’s intense gaze. “I just do my job, alright? Nothing personal. You want her back? Let me walk out

DMCA.com Protection Status