Lucian's severe expression worried Calista. She set the container aside and pulled the curtains shut."What's wrong? Does your leg hurt?"He suffered from a broken leg. His left calf was in a particularly severe state. It was a comminuted fracture that put him in a cast. A few of his ribs were cracked too."Yeah," he replied.When Calista reached out to touch it, it was hard to the touch. She wasn't a professional. She was unsure if the pain was normal after surgery."I'll call for a doctor to check on you …"She reached for the call bell by his bedside. But, before she could touch it, Lucian grabbed her by her waist. He rested his palm against her lower back and pulled her close.She was worried about accidentally falling on him and making his injuries worse. So, when she noticed what Lucian was trying to do, she went along with it and sat down at the edge of the bed. The man held her by her wrist rather than her hand. Calista had welts on her hand. They weren't deep and had
Calista stared at him and blinked slowly. Lucian had tubes inserted when he was wheeled into the ICU yesterday. It was only after she signed the papers today that he was transferred to a regular ward. He had been unconscious then. When he woke up, the nurses only came in to measure his temperature and blood pressure. Lucian hadn't shown any signs that he needed the restroom. So, she didn't pay much attention to it.When had the catheter been removed?Seeing her confusion, Lucian openly admitted, "It was when you went downstairs to get takeout."Calista was at a loss for words.Selena was unaware of what was going on between the two. All she knew was that Lucian needed to go to the bathroom. She had asked about his condition at the nurse's station moments ago. He had a moderate concussion, fractures in both legs, rib fractures, and mild internal injuries. Each of these conditions frightened her.She had no experience in taking care of severely injured patients. What was she s
The wheelchair-bound man looked up at Calista. The lights above him reflected in his dark pupils. Gone was the ferocity in his eyes. Lucian had a bandage around his head with bloodstains down his neck. His leg was also in a cast. The sight presented an image of suffering. Calista wasn't angry to begin with. Even if she were, seeing him in this state would only tamp her anger."I'm not angry."Lucian raised a brow."Really? But you haven't spoken to me for over an hour."He was taken aback at first. Then, a wave of grievance crashed over him. His emotions were on full display, making it easy to grasp his current state of mind.He was a person who could smoothly navigate the business field full of scheming men. How could he openly express his emotions? It had nothing to do with who he was speaking to. Rather, it was a habit deeply ingrained in him. Lucian acting this way was intentional.Calista didn't respond. She turned the faucet to hot water. While waiting for the water t
Lucian smiled purposefully."She wanted me to put in more effort."Nothing quite like mending a relationship with a child in the mix."Huh?" Calista expressed her confusion.Seeing how Lucian had no intention of elaborating, she didn't bother to pry. After everything was packed up, Calista wheeled him to the single-bed ward. The nurse who came to conduct routine checks was already at the door. So, she followed them. The bed in the ward was also three feet, except it also came with an extra cot for chaperones.Seeing how Lucian's gaze shifted between the two beds, the nurse rattled off routinely, "The beds cannot be moved. You cannot merge them into one bed."Calista said nothing. She didn't know if it was just her imagination but she had a feeling that the nurse was glancing at her lips out of the corner of her eye.The nurse left after measuring his temperature and blood pressure. Before she did, she reminded them. "Do not lock the door."Calista hadn't had much sleep last
The lack of oxygen left Calista's mind blank. His words had her asking, "What?"Lucian said nothing. He propped his hands against the bed and showed her what he meant by his actions.Calista was startled. Who would've thought that a patient who had just been released from the ICU this morning would be so agile? He was climbing around like a primate. She was worried that his ribs would break before the injuries in his legs healed.Lucian had become more proficient at climbing in and out of bed after the experience from previous attempts. He was already sitting on her bed before Calista could utter a word to reprimand him.Trying to accommodate two adults on a three-foot-wide bed, especially when one of them was a tall man, was quite the challenge. It was probably due to his weight that the bed creaked with every move. Calista was worried that the noise might be heard by people passing through the corridor outside. She couldn't afford to be disgraced because of this man.Just as
Calista's gaze slid down from the frown on Lucian's face, passing over his throat as he swallowed. Then, she watched the rapid rise and fall of his chest before her attention was directed to a certain area.He was turned slightly on his side. So, nothing obvious could be seen. However, it was clear that he was not having a good time with how raspy his voice had become. Calista raised a brow at him triumphantly."Your legs are broken. But, sure. Keep playing the tough guy. Serves you right. You'll just have to put up with it."Then, she went straight to the adjacent bed, lifted the covers, and climbed in. Once she was comfortably lying down, she switched off the lights.Lucian had just laid in this bed. His scent continued to cling to the sheets. When her face touched the pillow, his smell filled her senses. It was reassuring.The brightly-lit ward suddenly plunged into darkness. The fluorescent lights from the corridor seeped in through the glass window on the door, illuminating a
Lucian shot Calista a look that seemed to signal for her to ignore Christina because she was out of her mind. Calista was at a loss for words.While the pair kept their composure, Hector was much less calm. He was choking on air as he spoke in a disjointed manner, "What did you just call her?"Christina had spoken a little too hastily and made a joke about Calista being someone she sponged off of. Things quickly grew awkward with the three pairs of eyes scrutinizing her. If she tried to cover it up, however, it might lead to misunderstandings. She couldn't afford to ruin her financial backer's marriage. Otherwise, the Grey Group would be wiped off the map in Capeton.Since there was no way out of this, Christina had no choice but to tell the truth. She pointed to the bed where Lucian was lying."Mr. Northwood will soon be the Grey Group's partner. In this day and age, anyone who invests would be a sugar daddy."She then pointed at Calista."You're Mr. Northwood's wife. That mak
Calista pulled down the collar of her sweater and pointed at the red marks on her skin. They were all courtesy of Lucian from the night before. "Are you trying to imply that you're not stewing in dirty thoughts all the time?"Lucian thought she was laying the blame on a little thick. They were husband and wife. All he did was kiss her. What did it have to do with his dirty thoughts?"I'm a perfectly normal man. Isn't it normal to have urges and desires for the woman I love?" Calista rolled her eyes. Her earlobes flushed a faint shade of red."You should reign your urges in even if you have desires.""It's … not something I can just control," Lucian said.Otherwise, there wouldn't be a saying floating around claiming that men were animals who think with their lower halves."Who says you can't?" Calista's raised brow paired with the amused glint in her eyes clued Lucian in that he was not going to like what she was going to say next. He was about to change the topic when th
With Cade covering Cameron's mouth, there was no chance for her pointed words to offend anyone in the room. His palm was cool to the touch. It was a sensation she disliked. So, she couldn't help but tilt her head.When Cade noticed her movements, he gently stroked her cheek as if he were calming a child who was throwing a tantrum.Victor spent years in a position of authority, giving him an air of unspoken authority. His gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched Cade. "Cade, don't jeopardize the long-standing relationship between our families over a woman.""If that's how you see it." Cade glanced at the door. "Aren't you doing the same for a woman?"Victor snorted contemptuously. "How can a cheap girl who was merely adopted be worth anything compared to Mirabelle?""How is my daughter, a Yorksworth, worth any less than yours?" Blaire stood at the doorway as she took in the occupants of the home with her sharp gaze. She had been feeling restless ever sin
Mirabelle frowned. "Excuse me?"As soon as she finished speaking, Cameron walked up to her, grabbed her by her hair, and forcefully bent her over.Cameron held up the guest list Monica had sent her and shoved it in Mirabelle's face. "Call them. Tell them to be there by 3:00 p.m., or else…"She tightened her grip threateningly. "You can kiss this head of hair goodbye."Mirabelle pressed down on her scalp where it had been pulled, her voice distorted with pain when she spoke."Let go, Cameron! Are you out of your mind?""Didn't I tell you not to involve anyone else in our feud?""Can't take it anymore?"Mirabelle endured the pain of turning her head to flash a disdainful sneer at Cameron."This is just the appetizer. If you go against me, you'll eventually crawl out of Capeton with your tail between your legs. I'll call your business partner right now and pin the catastrophic failure of this event on you…"Seeing Mirabelle's condescending expression brought Cameron back to the
The kiss lifted the dark cloud that hung over Cade's mood over the past few days.The next day, as Fabian brought in documents for him to sign, Cade asked, "When is Cameron's show?"Fabian was taken aback for a split second but quickly replied. Fortunately, he was well-prepared and kept track of Cameron's events for the year in advance."Has the invitation been delivered?"Fabian swallowed, almost wanting to laugh to mock Cade. Given Cade's strained relationship with his wife, Cameron would sooner invite a dog than have him around. However, all Fabian could do was revel in Cade's misery in his mind while keeping a businesslike facade."It was probably already delivered. The front desk brought in a stack of mail yesterday. I haven't sorted it out yet."He had already sorted out the mail this morning. Everything had gone straight to the trash."Clear my schedule for the day. Make reservations at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner.""Yes, sir."On the day of the show, Monica
That was obviously an excuse to get Cade out of the picture. Knowing what Mirabelle had done to Cameron in the past, leaving the two of them alone was out of the question. Besides, it wasn't convenient for him to move the car, so he refused without a second thought."Get the attendant—"However, Cameron cut him off before he could finish."Ms. Ackerman is a guest. You should fulfill her requests if she has any."Cade cast her a cold glance. "Shut up." Why should he dance to Mirabelle's tune?Cameron stared at him. "Run along."He gritted his teeth as rage crossed his face. After a brief pause, he sneered and turned to leave. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mirabelle's calm expression slipped. "Did you make me come here just to show off how much you two love each other?""You call that love? I think we have different definitions of what 'love' is then. He's nothing more than…" Cameron's fingers lightly traced the cup's rim as she smirked and said, "A lap dog.""You fu
Cameron crossed her arms over her chest and gave the bouquet in Cade's hands a nonchalant glance."What are you trying to pull, Mr. Carter?""Fabian said it was Women's Day today.""So what?"There was silence all around. The sound of soothing music could be heard through the door. Cade was silent for a while. "We're not getting a divorce, Cameron."It was the same old topic that Cameron had grown too weary of. She turned around and felt for the cigarette box on the table. There was already a layer of cigarette butts in the ashtray next to it. Judging by the color of the lipstick marks, more than half of them were hers.Cade frowned. He clearly disapproved of her smoking but kept himself from stopping her.Smoke curled from between her lips. The flickering embers of the cigarette reflected in her eyes, softening her indifferent gaze. Through the thin haze, Cameron's lips curled into a wide, unrestrained smile. Every time she smiled in this way, it always filled Cade with a
Cade began unbuckling his belt as he spoke. When it came to this sort of thing, men often had a strong sense of competition, especially in the presence of a woman they were interested in."Such a dark atmosphere isn't right for our situation."Cameron didn't like him to begin. In such a dark atmosphere, there was no telling what kind of grotesque creature she might imagine him to be. It would be strange if she felt attraction for him.She leveled a steady stare at him. Cade's shirt was half undone, showing his tense muscles underneath. Under the influence of alcohol, his skin took on a faint reddish hue. There was a heart-pounding tension in the air as if something was about to ignite. Occasionally, his slightly heavy breaths could be heard."You haven't been working out recently, have you?" Cameron asked.Cade was confused.Cameron pressed her hand against his chest, right below his ribs, and gave it a little push. After a moment, she commented, "Your muscles are a little soft
Cade tossed his phone onto the table in frustration when he saw who entered. He pressed his hand against his brow."Leave. You should see Diane for a work uniform.""Are you feeling unwell, Mr. Carter?" Rosalia approached the desk with a glass of milk in hand. "I learned how to give massages. Why don't I…" "Get out."Cade abruptly got to his feet and avoided Rosalia's outstretched hand, causing the milk to spill all over him. He glanced down at his now-stained shirt with a dark expression and pressed his lips tightly together. After a long pause, he asked through clenched teeth, "Did my wife ask you to send this up?" Every syllable was pronounced with the gnashing of teeth.Rosalia froze under his piercing gaze."It really was Mrs. Carter who asked me to bring it to you, sir," she stammered."Leave. From now on, you will not enter my study unless you have permission."Rosalia had come to work as a housekeeper to land herself a wealthy husband. She had even bribed the manager
On the next day, Cameron was discussing the fashion show with Monica when she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind. "Cammie…" It was Blaire.Although Monica didn't fully know about Cameron's past, she didn't like Blaire at all. What kind of mother wouldn't protect their own child, after all?However, it wasn't appropriate for her to intervene as much even though she was Cameron's close friend. After all, it was Cameron's family matter.Monica stood up with her notebook in hand and said, "Well, I just remembered that there's still a few more invitations to send, so I'll go and take care of that. Let's discuss more about the fashion show later."After saying that, she glanced at Blaire and left without even greeting her.Cameron got up and nodded at Blaire. "Is something the matter?"She thought that her distant attitude last night had made it clear enough that she didn't want any more involvement with the Yorksworth family. She didn't expect that Blaire would come and loo
Cameron pushed the door open. She looked tired as she laid down her bag. As she changed her shoes, she caught sight of the food on the dining table out of the corner of her eye."Diane, didn't I tell you I wasn't coming back for dinner? Why did you make so much food?"Diane glanced upstairs. "It's for Mr. Carter. He hasn't eaten yet."The moment Cade was mentioned, Cameron dropped the topic. She rubbed her sore shoulder as she headed upstairs. "I see.""Madam…" Diane called out hesitantly, looking troubled. "Mr. Carter asked you to call him down for dinner when you got home.""Me? Call him down for dinner?" Cameron stopped in her tracks and turned around in confusion. "Why?""Mr. Carter seems to be upset. Did you two have another fight?""So If he's in a bad mood, I'm supposed to go upstairs and invite him down to eat? Should I also say 'Your meal is ready, my liege!' while I'm at it?" Cameron scoffed. Her sarcastic smirk quickly faded. "He can eat if he wants. If he doesn't,