Chatper 155


    Chapter 155


    Once he finished speaking, Brian shuffled back to the couch, angling the screen back to its proper


    position before slipping on his headphones.


    Humiliation burned Natalie. She could only imagine how many people had witnessed her awkward


    mishap. Had anyone recognized her in that moment of mortification?


    She sneaked a nce at Brian, who seemed to be exuding an aura of frost. Hiding her


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    embarrassment, she yanked the nket over her head, cocooning herself within its folds.


    After a moment of self–reprimand, she mentally scolded herself for her pointless chatter.


    Brian nced her way, then looked down at his phone as it vibrated on the nightstand.


    It was a voice message from Madelyn, but he ignored it, feeling irked.


    Shortly after, Reid tapped lightly on the door and said in a hushed tone, “Mr. Howard, Ms. Harris called.


    She seems to have been waiting at the Maritime Office for…”


    “Tell her to head back on her own,” Brian interrupted, his voice icy.


    Reid paused, taking in Natalie’s nketed form before replying softly, “Alright.”


    Even though Natalie hadn’t uttered a word, Brian had a nagging feeling that Madelyn was up to


    something.


    He picked up his phone again, scrolling through his call log and messages. Sure, there was a call he


    didn’t recognize. Natalie had tried to reach him.


    His gaze flickered briefly before turning back to Natalie, still tucked away under the nket.


    Before leaving Majestic Meadows Manor earlier that day, Sadie had caught him for a quick chat. She


    mentioned that Natalie and Nate had been waiting at home for his return for a couple of days. But it


    seemed her mood had shifted just the afternoon before.


    The unanswered call from Natalie had been made around noon yesterday.


    So whatever Madelyn had said to Natalie, could it be that Natalie was… jealous?


    Still under the influence of the anesthesia, Natalie nestled within the nket, vaguely hearing Brian’s


    voice as he spoke a few more words before drifting off again.


    When she awoke, the night was deep and she felt the urge to visit the restroom. Just as she was about


    to ring for the nurse, she heard the bathroom door click. Brian emerged, toweling off his hair, a bath


    towel slung low around his waist.


    Natalie thought he had left. In the dim light, their eyes met briefly before she looked away. She heard


    him approach the bed and sit on the edge. His hand reached out, pulling back her


    nket.


    When his fingertips brushed her ankle, Natalie froze for a second before instinctively pulling


    away.


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    12:42


    Chapter 155


    She had just undergone surgery.


    Brian tightened his grip on her ankle, preventing her from retracting her leg.


    For a moment, she was stunned, but then she rxed, ceasing her resistance.


    After Brian finished, he turned and retreated to the bathroom.


    The warm towel rested on her lower abdomen, aforting presence in the silence of the night.