Chapter 270 

Irene cranked the shower as ho as it would go, but the steam couldn’t wash away the morning’s horror. Her fingertips trembled as she turned off the water. She dressed quickly, avoiding the mirror entirely–she didn’t need to see what she already felt. 

Her arms and shoulders were covered in bruises, still aching from those rough hands. She pulled her sleeve down and took a quick breath before opening the door. 

Adam sat by the window, his face half–shadowed. At the sound of the door, he turned, eyes finding hers instantly. 

“Got us some food,” he said, his usual edge gone. 

Irene nodded and sat down at the table. The salmon looked perfect, but her stomach twisted at the thought. She pushed it around, occasionally forcing down a bite that might as well have been cardboard. 

Adam watched her push food around, waiting until her fork hit the plate for the third time. 

“Let me help with those,” he said, nodding toward her bruises. 

She hesitated. “It’s fine, 

“Please.” 

Something in his voice made her nod. His touch was feather–light as he applied ointment to each mark, his movements nothing like the commanding CEO the world knew. 

“Not going anywhere today,” he said, eyes focused on his work. “Just staying here with you.” 

Just a few words, but they helped her breathe a little easier. 

Later, Irene lay in bed, dead tired but couldn’t sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, those faces showed up in the dark. She kept jumping awake from bad dreams, heart racing, fingers gripping the sheets. 

The faint sound of Adam’s wheelchair in the next room filtered through the door. She found herself listening for it, counting the seconds between movements. 

Her tablet chimed. Three eager faces would be waiting. Irene gulped water, practiced a smile that felt alien on her face, and answered. 

“Mom!” Lucas practically bounced. “Miss us yet?” 

“Every minute of every day!” Lily squeezed into view. 

“When are you coming back?” Alex nudged his siblings aside. 

“Course I miss you guys, Irene said, hoping they couldn’t hear the strain. “Everyone behaving? Homework done?” 

Alex squinted at the screen, his little–man frown appearing. “You look tired. Like, really tired.” 

Her stomach sank. The kid missed nothing. “Just busy. We’ll be home tomorrow.” 

Is Uncle Adam there?” Lily asked, eyes bright with mischief. “Is he taking good care of you?* 

Care. The word hit something raw. Adam standing when he shouldn be able to. Arms open, Catching her when she tell. 

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Chapter 270 

“He’s…” Her voice caught. “Yeah. He is.” 

She cleared her throat. “How’s Joseph’s chess game going?” A cold thought slipped in: What would happen to them if I didn’t come 

home? 

After hanging up, voices drifted from the living room. Thomas had arrived, his normally measured tone urgent and low. 

-completely handled,” he was saying. “Local authorities won’t be a problem.” 

“And that man who hired them?” Adam asked. 

“Still tracking him. Money trail leads to- 

She stepped into the doorway. Both men went silent. 

“What man?” she asked, catching the tail end of their conversation. 

Adam held her gaze, then decided on honesty. “Someone hired those guys. Gave them your picture two days ago.” 

“Description?” 

Thomas shook his head. “Avoided cameras. They remembered build and voice–pretty distinctive, they said.” 

Irene frowned. “Nobody knows me as Joy except medical people.” She paused. “Unless someone tracked my connection to you. 

Something dangerous flashed across Adam’s face. “Tell García to beef up security,” he told Thomas. 

“Maybe we should push back tomorrow’s flight…” 

“No,” Adam said firmly. “The sooner we’re back in Silver City, the better.” His eyes dropped to Irene’s arm, something like guilt crossing his features. 

Evening shadows stretched across the suite. Adam looked up from his tablet to find Irene emerging from another shower, circles under her eyes darker than before. 

“Any sleep at all?” he asked quietly. 

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