Chapter 199
Chapter 199:
“Gracie, the truth always finds a way to reveal itself.” Brayden exhaled slowly. “Just give me some time. I’ll handle everything p>
“I’ve lost count of how many times you’ve fed me that excuse.” Gracie’s tone could have frozen the air. “She’s almost certainly pretending to have lost her memory—just to worm her way back into this house p>
“That’s nothing more than speculation.” Brayden’s jaw tightened. “I still have an obligation to her… and the doctor warned that any emotional upset could set her recovery back. I won’t gamble with that p>
Gracie yanked the bedroom door wide. “Then hurry along and tend to your patient. Don’t waste another minute on me p>
A hot flare of anger coiled in her chest.
Brayden parted his lips, but all that came out was a strained, “I’m sorry p>
Once he had gone, she shut the door.
She fished her phone from her pocket and tapped Jessie’s contact. The line rang repeatedly before being answered. “Jessie, mind if I crash at your apartment for a couple of days p>
“Of course—my door’s always open for you.” Jessie stifled another yawn. “Spill it. What’s going on? Running away to my couch p>
“Lia’s installed herself inside Brayden’s villa. I can’t stand the sight of her p>
“Oh?” Jessie let out a soft, knowing laugh. “Is it really Lia you’re dodging, or Brayden playing nursemaid? I just scrolled past some gossip online. Apparently, Lia took a bad fall on set and now has patchy recall. If I were in your shoes, I would plant myself right there and watch her every move. Aren’t you worried she’ll pull something shady the moment you turn your back p>
The words pinched a nerve; Gracie’s forehead creased. “You’re right. I was just being childish p>
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“Gracie… have you actually fallen for Brayden?” Jessie pressed.
Gracie’s pulse stuttered; her brows knit harder. “That’s ridiculous p>
“Is it? The man’s gorgeous, brilliant, and rock-solid—every woman in our circle would kill to trade places with you. Living under the same roof with someone that magnetic… tell me you haven’t felt a single spark,” Jessie teased.
A peculiar, creeping unease slithered through Gracie’s chest.
At the same time, in the neighboring guest room, Lia reclined against plush pillows, eyelids drifting open to find Brayden lingering a few paces away. She pushed herself upright. “Brayden, shouldn’t you be winding down? Still buried in work p>
He studied her carefully. “Anything coming back to you p>
“Coming back? What do you mean?” A coy smile tugged at Lia’s mouth. “We’re practically at the altar—are you talking about wedding plans p>
The door hinges sighed.
Charlie stepped in, the family doctor at his side.
The doctor ran a meticulous check—pulse, reflexes, a string of pointed questions—his face tightening with each response.
“Miss Douglas requires absolute quiet. Her body is holding steady,” he summarized, rising. “Mr. Stanley, a word in private p>
Out in the corridor, Brayden kept his voice low. “Give it to me straight—what are we dealing with p>
The doctor’s brow furrowed. “Her psyche is on a knife’s edge. The head trauma, layered over old emotional scars, has triggered selective memory loss p>
“But she blanked out something that happened less than an hour ago p>
At the hospital, she had insisted they were a couple; now she spoke of wedding plans.