Chapter 9
The sky outside the hospital ward’s window grew dark, and an unshake news compt totalis’sched
Curtis sensed her distraction. His eyes dimmed, and with a trendding voice laced in feigned vertitity, im epoke up with reddeting, eyes
“Clatry, can you stay with me tonight? I’m really scared Please don’t leave me alone”
Tears began to spill down his cheeks as he choked back ends, looking utterly pitifid
Instinctively, Claire felt the urge to agree. But just as the words reached her lips, a flesh of Astrow’s pate face and reddened eyes as he endowed the fest and pain during the abduction crossed her mind.
For some reason, a sharp prick pierced her chest, like tiny needles bunwing deep, leaving behandlingering adhe
She furrowed her brows and gently refused. “Matilda has been arrested. You don’t have to worry about her anymore. Astras badly shaken this time, so I need to get back and be with him.
“It’s getting late anyway. Try to get some rest. I’ll visit you again tomorrow.”
The moment Claire said that, Curtis‘ tears abruptly stopped, te grabbed her wrist, prompting her to look at him in confusion.
Forcing a stiff, unnatural smile, he suggested, “I should come with you. What happened to Mr. Call was partly my fault. I’d like to apologize to him in person.” Claire didn’t think much of it and simply nodded in agreement,
Ever since a few minutes ago, though, a wave of inexplicable panic had been building up in her chest, urging her to see Ashton immediately.
Jshe picked up her pace, hurrying down the hallway toward his ward, Before she even reached the door, she began speaking, with a smile, trying to sound
lighthearted.
“Ash, I’m back. What do you want to have for dinner tonight? I’ll get…”
The moment her eyes fell on the empty hospital ward, she froze mid–sentence,
“Ash? Ashton!”
She rushed inside, disbelief overtaking her expression as she frantically called his name, scanning every corner of the ward in growing parc.
The commotion quickly drew the attention of a nurse from the ward next door
“Mr. Gill was discharged earlier this afternoon. Please keep your voice down and be mindful of other patients.”
Hearing this, Curtis felt a surge of delight rise in his chest, though he masked it with a wounded expression.
“He must still be mad at me, Clairy, I swear I wasn’t able to recognize Matilda on purpose…”
Normally, Claire would’ve comforted Curtis without hesitation–maybe even scolded Ashton for being petty.
But this time, she said nothing. Her face was cold as she turned and strode out of the room.
Curtis was right. Of course, Ashton was still pissed. After what he had just gone through, she failed to do even one thing right, which was to stay by his side.
She admitted she was the one at fault this time. She would apologize sincerely and explain everything that had happened over the past few days.
Curtis froze for a second, caught off guard by her sudden change in demeanor. Then, he scrambled to catch up, grabbing her wrist.
“Clairy, where are you going? He’s still upset; he probably wants to be left alone right now, just give him some space, okay? I’ll go with you to see him tomorrow…”
