Chapter 148
Chapter 148:
She pressed her lip between her teeth, her face blanching in sudden dread. “He’s only a distant relative—we discovered the connection by accident p>
“Don’t pretend you can fool me, Lia,” Gracie warned, her voice low and lethal. “I know more about you than you think. Keep this up and you’ll fucking regret it p>
Without another word, she shoved Lia aside and stormed out of the room.
High heels clicked sharply across the floor, each step pressing like a weight against Lia’s chest.
Pain twisted Lia’s delicate face as her fingers dug desperately into the floor. “Keep pushing and you’ll pay for it, Gracie. I’ll goddamn make you suffer and get you out of the way p>
A cold, murderous thought settled over her like a shadow she couldn’t shake.
Night had deepened in the VIP hospital room.
Brayden blinked awake into the soft glow of white walls and linen. When he tried to move his fingers, another hand held them firmly in place.
A frown settled on his face as he became aware of Gracie dozing at his side. Exhaustion was etched into the soft planes of her face. It surprised him that she had stayed at the hospital the entire time.
Carefully freeing his hand, he eased himself out of the room without making a sound.
Charlie stayed vigilant outside. When Brayden stepped out, he immediately went over.
Brayden’s gaze sharpened. “Why is Gracie here p>
“I followed your instructions and called her ahead of time,” Charlie answered quickly.
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“You can go now. Gracie’s enough,” Brayden said, already turning away. “Handle your own business p>
Before he could walk off, Charlie’s low voice stopped him. “She genuinely cares about you. Are you sure this is what you want? If she learns the truth p>
“She won’t,” Brayden muttered without looking back. His tone dropped to a quiet murmur. “She’s hiding too much from me. I hate not knowing what’s real, but because of her, I’ve started noticing something I once ignored p>
A faint, humorless chuckle escaped him. “Forget it. Don’t trouble yourself over it p>
“Got it p>
When Brayden walked back to the bed, the movement stirred Gracie awake.
“Oh, you’re up.” Blinking drowsily, Gracie rubbed her eyes. “Looks like you’re fine now—guess I’ll take off p>
“You’re not curious about my story?” he asked, his voice faintly teasing.
“It’s better if I stay out of your personal matters,” she replied, her tone calm but distant. “We’re only partners in name—nothing more p>
Something flickered across her expression, a trace of curiosity she couldn’t quite hide.
“I know,” Brayden said with a faint smile, his gaze softening. “But whenever I see you, I feel strangely at peace. You’re the one who once saved my life, after all p>
He sat beside her, his voice dropping to a tender murmur. “There are things I’ve never told anyone before. But tonight… I’ll tell you. After tonight, think of it as nothing more than a dream p>
A faint tremor rippled through Gracie’s chest before she sank back into her seat. “Go on,” she murmured. “I’ll just listen p>
For the first time, Brayden began to unravel the story he’d kept locked away for years—what had happened with Lia. As he spoke, the color drained from his face, and crimson veins webbed his eyes.
Gracie’s brows knit, but she forced herself not to interrupt. Some wounds had to be faced before they could fade. He had stood by her countless times, quietly shielding her in ways she hadn’t always noticed. The least she could do now was let him unburden himself.
When the confession finally ended, Brayden leaned forward, bracing his trembling hands against the mattress, breath coming unevenly.
She reached for a cup of warm water and held it out. “Here, drink. It’s over now—just breathe p>
Under the soft glow of the lamp, her eyes gleamed, calm yet full of unspoken emotion.