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 glance at Brian, who seemed to be exuding an aura of frost. Hiding her embarrassment, she
yanked the blanket over her head, cocooning herself within its folds.
After a moment of self-reprimand, she mentally scolded herself for her pointless chatter.
Brian glanced 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
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtseems to have been waiting at the MaritOffice for...”
“Tell her to head back on her own,” Brian interrupted, his voice icy.
Reid paused, taking in Natalie's blanketed 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 blanket.
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 hfor 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 blanket, 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
blanket.
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.
They were locked in a brief standoff when Natalie realized something warm and damp was being placed on her
ankle, gently rubbing her skin and slowly moving upward.
The room was dark, and she hadn't quite made out what was happening until now. He was wiping her down.
For a moment, she was stunned, but then she relaxed, ceasing her resistance.
After Brian finished, he turned and retreated to the bathroom.
Natalie let out a silent sigh of relief, about to cover herself when he returned and sat down again, guiding her
slightly toward him.
The warm towel rested on her lower abdomen, a comforting presence in the silence of the night.