Chapter Fifty-Five: Swallowed by the Ocean

"But-"

"It's fine; I'll be back soon.”

I say reassuringly to Henry.

I wave off his innocent concern despite half my face being covered by his hand.

If he were to slap me the same way I slapped him, I'd probably end up in the ICU. Despite knowing that, I leave Henry with Etienne in the living room and follow him like a prisoner escorted to their sentencing.

**

"You went to the hospital. What for?"

This is not the beginning of the conversation I expect, nevertheless, Christopher’s gaze as he closes the door behind me doesn’t leave my face.

"The headaches, but I have the medicine, so it's fine; more than that, I haven't seen Anthony in days. Did you change my guard?"

"Anthony?"

Christopher asks with a frown, his mouth twisting as if he has eaten something rotten.

"Who are you calling 'Anthony'?"

"My- my bodyguard, with brown hair, you assigned him to me."

I explain as if he doesn’t already have that information.

What is this? What is he playing at?

"Did I? And he told you his name? He an