Chapter13 Catch Bed–Handed
I stared at Rowan dazedly. He sneered and said, “So, it was all just an art.”
“What?” I was condused
we just putting on an act
“You said you didn’t love me anymore, right?” He raised an eyebrow and reached out to graze his finger against the core of my lips. “It looks like you were In front of your friends. Have you switched to playing hard to get now, Tory?”
ob, so he’d been testing me, and he’d used such a humiliating way, too. My rationality speedily returned, and I put on the shirt I’d already taken a hallway, trying to stay calm. “Was that really necessary?” looked up at Rowan I couldn’t help finding myself piful yet laughable. “I’m not–and I won’t–play hard to get with you, Rowan You’re just not used to me being so cold now.
“at’s like how you’d be a le upset when a loyal dog suddenly stops following you and wagging its tall You’ll get used to it over time.”
“Are you adog?” he asked meaningfully. He seemed impendous to my pitiful situation.
“Don’t you already know that? tugged my loosened collar tight and lowered my head.
Rowan wasn’t a naive young man–how could he be me of my feelings for him? Besides, I’d told him how much loved him countless times in the past. He’d just never thought anything of them. Too many women lod him. The only thing different about me was that I’d gotten the chance to marry him.
He snorted, seemingly pleased with the reaction he’d gotten. His mood suddenly improved greatly. “Go ahead and shower.”
After that, he turned and left. I quickly shut the door behind him and ran to the mirror. When I saw how red my Lace was, I wanted nothing more than to slap myself.
How could be so pathetic? Rowan had only teased me a little, but I’d almost fallen into his trap. I used three minutes to think about the past, finally calming myself down. Then, I quickly showered so I could head back to bed.
Rowan was leaving. I could hear the engine revving downstairs. I stood by the window and watched his car disappear into the night, feelin
He probably wouldn’t return anytime soon. What had happened tonight was enough to reassure him that was still very much taken with him. He could continue exploiting my feelings for him.
To make myself feel better in the shortest time possible, I had Lee take me to the hospital once I woke up the following day, I even changed into a form–fitting champagne–colored dress, going for an elegant, look
I couldn’t imitate Ashley’s cute perkiness, and Benjamin had probably seen more than enough of her style. I didn’t need to compete with her.
When I arrived at the hospital, I placed abouquet by Benjamin’s bed and asked gently, “Does your leg feel any better, Benjamin?
He’d been gaming. When he saw me arrive, he put his phone away. “Much better, Ms. Sadler. The doctor says that can be discharged tomorrow. I’ll just need to return in about a week to get the stitches removed.”
“That’s good.” I sat down and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Isn’t your girlfriend here to see you today?
“She’s working. We’re both working part–time to try to lighten our family’s burdens.” Benjamin looked pretty good when he smiled. There was a sense of cheesiness and light heartedness that only a young man could have.
I nodded and continued charting with him. After a while, I checked my phone and said, “Oh, man. Why has my phone ranaut of battery already?–
*t have a charger here, Ms. Sadler. Benjamin pointed at the bedside drawer opened it and pulled out the charger.
The socket was on the other side of the bed, and I deliberately leaned over Benjamin to teach in Myss was basically right above him. Anyone who saw us would find our positions amarous,
When I sat down again, Benjamin’s face was bright red. He didn’t dare look me in the eye. Lcouldn’t help thinking how innocent he wins.
Just then, I noticed someone standing at the door. I tumed to see van staring at me with a meaningful look. When had he arrived? Had he seen me plugging in the charger? Had he noticed my blatant seduction of Benjamin? Now, that would be awkward
1 forced out a smile and asked, “What are you doing here, Mr. York?”
“I’m working someone else’s shift” an approached Benjamin and checked his wound. He gave some simple instructions while I watched, feeling rather diffident.
en was somewhat special to me. In my previous life, the only time we’d really interacted with each other was when we worked together to take Rowan down. Before that, we’d enly been acquaintances He’d never done anything to harm me, and he’d even helped to treat me later on inte
‘Come outside with me for a while.” He glanced at me.
“Okay” I stood up, reeling helpless.
led me to his office. None of the other doctors were around, so he sat at his desk and flipped through patient records. He didn’t even look up as he asked, “How have you and Rowan been getting along lately?
He had nice, thick hair that was parted sideways. From where I stood, trould see his tall nose. I said vaguely, “Same as always.”
h.” van’s voce was calm and distant,
“All marriages are like that. That’s why certain people chase excitement. They eventually have to parlons prices for their actions, though.” Ivan’s voice was just like his personality.
Tfrowned “Why don’t you go tell Rowan that?”
“I tried. He refused to listen.” He shut his record book, finally looking up at me
“I’m not gonna listen, either.” 1 didn’t even notice that my voice carried a hint of coquettishness.
Ivan’s eyes glinted a little, seemingly surprised by my sudden change in tone.
quickly switched back to my usual tone. Torre good friends with him, so you should know better than me the things he’s done over the years. I’ve kept my silence and toed the line this whole time that’s more than he deserves.
“The young man you saw earlier is someone accidentally knocked into with my car. That’s why I came to visit his. I don’t mean anything else by
I’d changed my attitude toward Rowan so thoroughly because I wanted a divorce, That didn’t mean I wanted to thoroughly lose my composure in front of everyone else, though. I did still want to have a normal life after the divorce.
Chapter 13 Catch Red Handed
Ivan gave me a pointed look, seemingly not believing me. Just then, the other doctors returned to the office. He looked away and wowed a hand. “Tine He’ll be discharged. tomorrow, so he’s fine now.”
170
the worst case scenario, and it was what
Why was it more stressful talking to him than talking to Rower? With the latter, old throw cation to the wind. After all, divorce was the worst case
wanted.
But with Ivan, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d been caught red–handed. It was as if he’d discovered me doing something shameful.
After leaving ban’s office, I thought about returning to Benjamin’s hospital room to continue expressing my concern. I wanted to amp up the maturity and seduction I’d displayed earlier, but something occurred to me. I stopped and hurried back in Ivan’s office
“Dr. York!” I sat down before him and lowered my voice, saying, “How about we have a meal together? I do have a few things troubling they have to do with me and onwar want to talk to you about them.”
As it. What I really wanted to do was to make van meet Ashley before Rowan did