Chapter 243
“They’re gone now. No need to be upset,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a gentle coaxing quality she’d never heard from him
before.
Her hand felt small in his grasp. She noticed how his fingers were strong but careful, how the warmth of his skin seemed at odds with his usual cool demeanot. Her pulse jumped traitorously beneath his touch.
Heat crept up her neck to her ears. Her breathing hitched slightly as she realized how this simple contact was smudging lines she’d carefully drawn.
‘Let go,” she managed, her voice lacking its usual edge.
Irene tugged gently, but Adam showed no intention of releasing her. Afternoon light flooded through the windows, casting their shadows across the floor. In the stillness, her irritation slowly dissolved, replaced by something far more unsettling.
“Your mom clearly thinks we’re crossing lines,” she finally said, breaking the silence. “She’s trying to get rid of me.”
She saw right through what Sophia was trying to do. First Samantha, now Natalie–both clearly brought in to cut whatever connection was growing between her and Adam.
“They’ve always been like this,” Adam replied, voice steady. “But it doesn’t matter. I make my own decisions.” His tone left no room for debate. “Don’t let today get to you. I only need you. You’re the only doctor I want.”
His words made her feel warm all over. The way he looked at her suggested something more than just doctor and patient- something she wasn’t ready to think about too hard.
Irene’s heart pounded. The way Adam claimed her triggered something deep inside–that feeling of being wanted, being chosen. All her life, she’d been the one people threw away or replaced. Yet here was Adam, standing up to his family just to keep her around.
She suddenly thought of Ocean World, watching him tie Lucas’s shoelaces so carefully. That sweet memory blended with right now, making her feel things she’d kept locked away for years.
Her cheeks grew hot. These new feelings scared her–she wasn’t used to losing control like this.
“Got it. See you tomorrow.” Her voice wavered slightly as panic took over.
With sudden force, she yanked her hand free and practically bolted toward the door, not daring to look back. Her escape was graceless, driven by instinct rather than thought.
Adam turned toward the window, watching her cross the garden. A small smile played on his lips as he flexed his hand, still feeling the warmth where her skin had touched his.
She wasn’t as cool and collected as she tried to seem. With him, her real feelings showed through–proving what he’d thought all along: she cared more than she let on. The thought made him smile wider.
He reached for his phone, checked the time, then set it aside. Better to give her space for now.
Meanwhile, Irene closed her door and leaned against it, breathing hard. Her heart was still racing, and her wrist tingled where he’d held it.
Get it together, Irene. This is getting complicated.
She thought of her kids, her messy life, all the reasons why these new feelings scared her. Hadn’t she just decided to leave the past behind and start fresh? Could Adam really be part of that new beginning? The possibility both terrified and thrilled her.
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Chapter 243
She pushed open her window for some tresli alf, trying to convince herself she was just tired. Her eyes drifted toward Adom’s house across the garden, lights stilllowing warmly in the gathering dusk,
As the cool breeze hit her face, he couldn’t help touching her wrist gain, right where his fingers had beent
Maybe, just maybe, It was time to stop running from whatever this was becoming.
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