<b>Chapter </b>29
Reba returned to Nichs‘ apartment, drenched from head to toe. Pecking into Nichs‘ room, she found him still sound asleep. She took a deep breath, her steps heavy and slow as she made her way to the bathroom. Without bothering to remove her soaked clothes, she stepped into the bathtub, hoping the water would help clear her mind.
‘What’s going on in Harvey’s head? Why is he looking for me if he can’t choose between me and Alicia?<b>‘ </b>
Scenes from the car reyed in her mind, causing her stomach to churn with uninvited desire. She could still feel the touch of Harvey’s hand, the kiss of his lips, the warmth of his breath…
‘Stop, Becky! He doesn’t even believe you! He has more faith in that cunning bitch!” a Voice inside her head screamed. Reflexively, Reba pped her cheek hard, desperate to push Harvey out of her thoughts.
After soaking and cleaning herself for almost thirty minutes, Reba went to the kitchen and poured herself a ss of wine. Scrolling through her phone, she reopened Lucy’s email and replied:
‘Can we meet? I need your help.’
Her focus would now be on taking down Alicia. She would set aside her feelings for Harvey. This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Just as she was about to enter the guest room, she heard a noise from Nichs‘ bedroom. Frowning, she rushed over and found Nichs bending down, picking something up from the floor.
“Are you awake?” Reba asked, surprised. She thought the sleeping pills would keep Nichs out for hours.
Nichs nodded, “Yeah, I need the toilet,” he said, clutching his chest. Reba quickly went to his side and held his arm. “Let me help you,” she said, stifling a yawn.
“You just finished showering?” Nichs asked his eyes so t and emotionless that it made Reba shiver.
“Yeah,” Reba nodded, wondering what had caused this sudden change in Nichs‘
demeanor.
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“You gonna be alright?” she asked before leaving him in the bathroom. Nichs nodded, then closed the door without another word.
Reba frowned in confusion. Suddenly, an epiphany crossed her mind.
‘What if Nichs saw what Harvey and I did in the car earlier?‘ she muttered, covering her mouth in shock.
‘No, it’s impossible! He clearly fell asleep after taking the sleeping pills!‘ Reba waved her hand, dismissing the thought.
‘With the dose he took, he should have slept for at least six hours, but he was awake in less than two. What if…?‘ Reba’s eyes widened, her body stiffening.
‘What if he didn’t take sleeping pills at all? Did he trick me on purpose? But why?
Not long after, the bathroom door opened, and Nichs appeared, walking unsteadily. “Is everything okay?” he asked tly.
Reba red in surprise, feeling as if Nichs had just read her mind. “Yeah, want to go back to your room? You need more sleep,” she said, forcing a small smile despite feeling all over the ce.
“I’m hungry, but you can go to bed. I’ll make my own food,” he said, walking into the kitchen, ignoring Reba’s offer to help.
Reba knew she should be relieved that Nichs was ignoring her, but half her heart
Ohe on, I won’t let you worried because he looked very unwell. cook for yourself. What do you want to eat? Let me make it for you,” she said patiently.
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“Anything except the ex,” Nichs replied, opening the refrigerator.
Reba was stunned. She looked at Nichs, arms folded across her chest. “Nic? Is there something you want to talk to me about?” She was sure her guess was correct.
Nichs grabbed a can of beer and drank it quickly, emptying it in one go. “The question is for you. Is there something you want to tell me?”
Reba rubbed her face tiredly.
“Nic, I know this sounds mean, but can you not speak with that intonation, as <i>if </i>you are
<b>Chapter </b>29
my boyfriend or something?” she said irritably.
Nichol
crushed the beer can until it was dented, then threw it into the trash so hard that Reba jumped in shock.
“I witnessed how you were bleeding and injured inside and out because of your ex husband. How could you stupidly want to go back to him? Even crawling into his car like a cheap whore,” Nichs hissed, his eyes shing with anger.
Reba immediately became angry. “Firstly, it was Alicia who caused all my injuries, not Harvey. Second, even though I crawled into his car, it was none of your business. You have no right to judge me!”
Nichs snorted, “I have every right to judge you! Have you forgotten who was by your side when you were down?”
“No one–forced you to do that, Nic. Wait, you saw me meeting Harvey downstairs earlier? So those sleeping pills, are they fake?” Reba asked, massaging her forehead.
Nichs looked away, “That’s not the point. The point is…”
“You lied to me, that’s the whole point! I don’t understand why you pretended to be asleep. Was it so you could keep an eye on me? You know what, Nic? You scared the hell out of me,” Reba said, shaking her head in disbelief.
Nichs rubbed his face, feeling cornered.
“You look fine, so I’ll go,” said Reba, walking quickly to the guest room where she kept her bag.
Nichs stared at Reba’s back <i>for </i>a long time, then said a quiet “Okay,” which made Reba stop in her tracks in surprise.
“Just enjoy your life and don’t bothering to my funeral. Good night.”
Nichs went back into his bedroom and closed the door slowly, leaving Reba faced with a dilemma. She sat on the guest room bed, clutching her bag tightly, afraid that she would end up making the wrong decision. She couldn’t shake the image of Nichs‘ haunted eyes. She had to confront him and get to the bottom of his sudden hostility.
“There must be an answer to his action but what if he did that because he cared too much about me?” she muttered, unsure.
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Suddenly, she heard a loud thud from Nichs‘ room. Panic surged through her as she rushed to the door.
“Nichs?” she called, knocking frantically. No response. She twisted the knob and pushed the door open, her heart pounding. She found Nichs lying on the floor, unconscious.
“Shit! Nic? Nic?”
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