When Pantanirt
el, he held a small inamparent bes containing a slice of red velvet cake
bray in town. Try it and see if you like it,” he said, carefully opening the box. It then took out the cake and smiled as he held it out to her.
Whiter stared at him without moding.
he asked, histone warm and curious.
If he had never cheated on her, it he truly loved her, this moment might have been blissful. But belated affection wasn’t worth a dime.
she shook her head “Tinnot hungry ”
“night, Körpət,” Damiam said with an apologetic laugh. “We just finished dinner you probably can’t eat another hire. He placed the cake on the coffee table. “1 jest mally wanted to see you endey something you love. That’s what makes me happy.”
Whitney said nothing. After a pause, she stood ups “This heading to my team.
finds out, tirandpa might find out too
too.
“Wait, Whitney,” Damian called after her. “Noel’s coming with you to the hospital tomon. the fin
without emotion “I won’t let him tell tandpa,” she said flatly,
Damian stepped cloves and took her hand in his. His voice was sinerne. “Thank you, Whitney Trust me–won’t let you down again.“|||
she lowered her gare, pulling her hand tree. “I’m going to bed.”
The next morning, Noel personally drove them to the hospital. Whitney and Rachel sat in the back seat, the tension palpable.
Rachel’s wormed glance spoke volumes. Her eyes pleaded with Whitney to stop Noel from discovering anything.
Whimney decided to be duect. “He already knows,” she said softly
From the driver’s seat, Noel glanced at her in the rearview mimot, histone calm and detached. “This is between you and Damian. I won’t interfere, and I won’t tell
Rachel extuled in relict but still sounded uneasy. “But do I rally need to go through with the check–up? That doctor is Mr. Howard Senior’s personal physician…”
they tan a thorough examination, Elijah would know everything
“Connors in today,” Noel said, clearly aware of her concems. “But the tests still need to happen. You can’t avoid it forever.”
Rachel was led to the gastroenterology department at the hospital instead of gynecology. Whitney decided to wait in the main hall, but Noel stepped in her way. When did you and Rachel become friends?” he asked, his tone skeptical, “You don’t strike me as the kind of person to befriend someone who’s stolen your fiancé,
“Do I need to explain myself to you? Whitney shot back, meeting his gaze.
*1 helped you last night.” Noel said plainly. “Do you think Grandpa would’ve agreed so easily otherwise?–
I told Grandpa I needed a follow up, and I came to the hospital with Rachel. Why wouldn’t he agree? You’s
fre the one who insisted on coming along.”
Nord stutted his hands into his pockets and leaned slightly forward, his tall frame exuding quiet intensity. Because Grandpa might already suspect something.”
Nord continued, “it’s just a routine stomach check. He could yr assigned this to anyone, but he insisted on taking Rachel himself.”
וה
—Star’s Grandpa’s adopted gara–granddaughter,” Whitney counted. “Of course, he’d be more protective of her. That’s perfectly reasonable.”
“And she s also the great–granddaughter of one of Grandpa’s old war buddies,” she added: “Wouldn’t that make him even more protective
“That’s all fine.” Noel said, passing briefly. “But Grandpa has also been investigating Damian. ”
had Dariel secretly look into Damian’s shady dealings, they discovered another group doing the same. Except their focus wasn’t on the
When horl dug deeper, he realized the group was working under Elijah’s orders.
Emind racing. After a long pause, she finally asked, “so, you think Grandpa already knows about Damian and Rachel?”
Whittary wrung ber handa perously, her suice barely a whisper. “It randpa knows about Damian and Rachel, then he’ll realize my relationship with Damian Isn’t
Norses Lingeid onder anxious expression before his lips curled into a faint, teasing sanile, wuld be,” he said lightly “For all we know, Grandpa’s men might be watching us right now.”
