Chapter 242
Sophie recovered quickly, smoching her dress. “Adam, darling, I was just trying to help free up Dr. Sterling’s schedule. With her…. busy household. Her voice was sweet but her eyes told a different story. “Dr. Snow comes highly recommended-
The room seemed to get colder as Adam’s wheelchair turned sharply toward his mother. Even Thomas took a step back, knowing what was coming.
“Enough. The word cut through the air. When Adam spoke again, his voice was cold and sharp. “My treatment with Dr. Sterling isn’t up for debate. I won’t tolerate anyone messing with that.”
His gaze cut toward Natalie, Dr. Snow, I don’t know what my mother promised you, but you’re wasting your time here. Leave.”
It was shocking to see–the same man who had gently tied Lucas’s shoelaces now looked like he could freeze water with a glance.
Natalie’s perfect smile disappeared. Her cheeks went red, eyes showing hurt pride. She clearly wasn’t used to being turned down so bluntly.
“Mrs. Haven, she managed, chin lifted, “it seems your son doesn’t require my services. I’ll see myself out.”
She snatched up her folder, turned on her heels and strode toward the door. Each sharp click against the floor betrayed her barely- contained anger.
Natalie, wait- Sophia hurried after her, plan crumbling in real time. At the doorway, she paused, throwing one last loaded glanse at her son and Irene–equal parts frustration and calculation–before disappearing down the hall.
Thomas slipped out behind them, pulling the door closed with barely a whisper, leaving Adam and Irene suddenly alone.
Adam’s hand remained wrapped around Irene’s wrist, his grip warm but loose enough that she could break free if she wanted. Through the windows, sunlight brightened the garden outside, a peaceful contrast to the tension in the room.
Irene couldn’t stop thinking about Adam’s thumb resting right where her pulse beat in her wrist. Could he feel her heart racing? Those five words-“Irene is all I need“-kept repeating in her head, making cracks in her professional boundaries.
Irene tried pulling away, a reflexive grab for control, but his fingers tightened slightly. Heat traveled up her arm from that single. point of contact.
His grip slowly softened, but instead of letting go, his thumb began moving in a small, soothing motion against her skin. The gesture was so natural, so unexpected, that she forgot to pull away as his hand gradually slid from her wrist to her palm,
Looking at their connected hands, she found herself meeting his eyes. The intensity she found there was nothing like the cold fury he’d just displayed. This was something else entirely.
“You mad?” His voice had transformed completely, hard edges gone.
“No,” she answered, voice pitching higher than normal. “Not worth getting worked up over.”
Despite what she said, she was annoyed. She hated being ambushed, hated how Sophia had sized her up like a rival instead of a doctor, hated Natalie’s fake smile. But after years of keeping her cool at work, she couldn’t just admit she was upset.
Her chin lifted slightly–an unconscious tell.
“Yeah, you are.” Just three words, spoken with absolute certainty.
His wheelchair inched forward, closing the gap between them. His eyes never left hers, dark and knowing, seeing right through her
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Chapter 242
attempted poker face.
Irene pressed her lips together, turning toward the window, looking right through her. She’d stayed alm through so many emergencies push down.
anything but him. She felt weirdly exposed, like he could see work, yet here she was, feelings bubbling up that she couldn’t
Adam’s fingers slid from her wrist to her hand, enveloping it completely. His thumb traced small circles on her palm, sending unexpected shivers up her spine.
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