Chased by My Possessive Ex (Dylan) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

DYLAN

VPN 57

5 vouchers

Hunter’s deep baritone voice dragged me up from the dark, heavy fog clinging to my mind.

“It’s been more than a day, and she still hasn’t woken up,” he snarled. “You can’t tell me she’s fine.”

My eyelids fluttered, but my body felt like lead-heavy, boneless, and completely spent. Every muscle ached with a dull, lingering fatigue, as if I’d run for miles without rest.

“Mr. Hale, I already explained-” the doctor tried to interject.

“I don’t care what you explained,” Hunter shot back, his voice sharp enough to cut. “I’m not paying you to stand there and shrug. Do something before I blow your head off.”

There was a pause. I could almost picture the doctor tightening his jaw, forcing himself to stay calm in the face of Hunter’s fury.

“She lost consciousness due to extreme exhaustion,” the doctor said firmly. “Physical strain, lack of proper rest. Her body simply shut down to recover. There are no signs of internal injury, no neurological damage. Her vitals are stable.”

“I think I didn’t make myself clear,” he said as I heard a gun clicking.

“B-Boss-”

“I will repeat myself for one last time. Do something to get her better, or your brain will be a good floor polisher,” Hunter threatens.

A sharp sound cut through the tension.

“You’re fucking noisy.” My voice came out hoarse, dry, and threaded with irritation I didn’t bother hiding.

The room froze.

My lashes lifted slowly, the ceiling swimming into focus before I turned my head just enough to see him standing there-gun still in hand, fury written all over his face like the world had personally wronged him.

“Put. That. Down,” I rasped.

The doctor sucked in a quiet breath. Someone behind him muttered, “She’s awake.”

Hunter was at my side in an instant. “Dylan-” His voice was suddenly soft and gentle, far from the ruthless man pointing a gun at the doctor.

“Are you really this noisy early in the morning?” I snapped. I swallowed, my throat burning.

His jaw clenched. “He wasn’t doing his job.”

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

I let out a weak, humorless laugh. “Oh, please. You’re really going to blame him for this?”

VPN

57

5 vouchers

My head throbbed as I turned toward him, light stabbing behind my eyes. I hated how weak I felt, how my limbs barely listened when I tried to move. Even breathing felt like work.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I added, irritation simmering beneath the fog in my mind. “And don’t act like this is his fault.”

His hand froze midair, still hovering near my shoulder, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch me.

“I thought you-” His jaw tightened. “You’ve been out for days. I—”

“You panicked,” I said flatly. “Congratulations. But threatening the doctor won’t magically fix me.”

I glanced past him, catching the doctor’s uneasy expression. The poor man looked like he’d aged ten years in the last minute.

“I’m exhausted,” I went on, my voice quieter now, edged with something raw and aching. “Not dying. Just tired. My body needed to shut everything off.”

Hunter exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding his breath since the moment I collapsed. The gun finally lowered, his fingers loosening around it as if the weight of it had just occurred to him.

“You wouldn’t wake up,” he said, almost to himself.

“Newsflash, that’s usually how sleep works,” I muttered sarcastically.

Despite myself, my eyes burned-not from tears, but from the strain of staying conscious. I hated that a part of me softened when I saw the fear he was trying so hard to hide. Hated it, because it made everything more complicated.

“You can go,” I said to the doctor, flicking my gaze in his direction. “Before he scares you into early retirement.”

The doctor didn’t need to be told twice. He nodded, murmured something polite, and practically fled the

room.

Silence settled in after that, thick and heavy.

Hunter stayed standing, towering beside the bed like he was afraid that if he sat down, I’d disappear again.

“You’re not really that popular around here, are you?” I continued.

“You scared me,” he started. “I thought I’d lost you again,” he added, disregarding my last comment.

The irritation I’d been clinging to cracked, slipping into something heavier. I turned my head slowly, studying him. He wasn’t looking at me the way he usually did-sharp, calculating, and in control. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, as if he were holding himself together by sheer force of will. Guilt settled in my chest when I really looked at him. There was something raw in his eyes, something undone. For the first time since I met him, I saw past the ruthless mask. Past the guns and threats and control.

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

VPN

57

5 vouchers

And what I saw scared me more than his anger ever did. I blew a loud sigh. I swallowed, my throat tight. “You can’t terrorize the whole world every time you’re afraid, Hunter.”

He let out a shaky breath, then laughed once, low and bitter. “That’s the only way I know how to keep what’s mine.”

I frowned. “I’m not something you own.”

His gaze snapped to mine, sharp again-but there was no anger in it. Just conflict. Just fear dressed control.

“I know,” he said after a beat. “That’s what scares me.”

up as

Silence stretched between us, fragile and aching. I shifted, wincing as my body protested the movement, and he was instantly at my side, hands hovering like he didn’t trust himself to touch me without breaking something.

“Sit down,” I muttered. “You’re making me nervous.”

He hesitated, then finally sat on the edge of the bed, close but careful.

“I didn’t mean to snap at you,” I admitted, staring at the sheets. “I just woke up to you threatening to murder someone.”

A faint huff escaped him. Not quite a laugh. “Fair.”

I glanced at him then, meeting his eyes. “But I think you really should start thinking twice before pointing a gun at everyone whenever things don’t go your way.”

His expression softened, something raw and unguarded flickering across his face. “When it comes to you,” he said quietly, “that I can’t promise.”

I exhaled slowly, the tension slipping out with my breath. “You’re hopeless.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips-small, tired, but real. He reached out at last, his fingers wrapping around mine with surprising gentleness, like he was afraid I might disappear if he held on too tight.

“It happened once,” he admitted. “And I don’t think I will ever let it happen again.”

I swallowed. My throat felt tight, my chest heavier than it should’ve been. “I didn’t pass out because I was dying. I was exhausted.”

His grip tightened just a little. “We don’t know that. And I’m not willing to take the risk.”

I raised an eyebrow weakly. “Are you planning on locking me in a room and forcing me to sleep?”

“If I have to,” he said, dead serious.

I huffed a quiet laugh, then winced when it pulled at my sore body. “You’re insane.”

“And you,” he countered softly, “are stubborn.”

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

“Pot, meet kettle.”

:.

[m]257),

B5 vouchers

He leaned closer, eyes never leaving mine. Up close, I could see the shadows under his eyes, the strain he tried so hard to hide. He looked just as worn down as I felt. He slowly climbed on the bed, lying down beside me. He gently lifted my head and let it rest underneath his arm.

We fell in silence. Enjoying the quiet moment we shared together as he wrapped his arms around me, his warmth seeping through every nerve in my body.

He was gently stroking my hair when he finally broke the silence. “We should work on your stamina.”

It took me a while before I realized what he meant by that.

“Really? That’s what you’re thinking right now?” I asked, rolling my eyes at him while shaking my head.

“I can’t have you passing out every night, bunny. I should probably get an expert to help you with that.”

“You’re joking, right?”

He responded with a straight face. “I’m dead serious.”

I stared at him for a beat, then let out a quiet scoff. “Unbelievable,” I muttered, shifting slightly in his arms. “I collapse from exhaustion, and that’s your medical conclusion?”

His chest rumbled with a low chuckle, the sound vibrating against my cheek. “You didn’t just collapse,” he said calmly. “Your body surrendered. Big difference. That’s why we need to strengthen your stamina.

I slammed his chest so hard, but he didn’t even flinch. “You know, most people would apologize. Or, I don’t know, show concern.”

“I did,” he said. “I threatened a doctor.”

“That’s not a concern. That’s a felony.”

Another quiet laugh. His fingers resumed their slow path through my hair, gentler now, almost thoughtful. “I don’t joke about losing you,” he added, his tone shifting. Less teasing. More truth. “So yes, I’m serious. If your body can’t keep up, then we fix that.”

I turned my head to look at him. “Fix it how, exactly?”

His eyes met mine, dark and steady. “Rest,” he said first. “Food. Time.”

“How about you go easy on me, huh?” I suggested.

“I don’t think that’s an option,” he replied.

My eyes widened as I lifted my chin to look at him, checking if he was serious. And why am I not surprised to see that he really meant it?

That look-steady, unapologetic-made something warm and reckless curl in my chest. I huffed a breath that was half laugh, half surrender. “You won’t back down, will you?” I muttered, but I didn’t pull away. Didn’t

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

really want to.

VPN

57

5 vouchers

“What do you think?” he asked, thumb brushing along my jaw, a quiet claim without pressure. His forehead touched mine, the world narrowing to the space between our breaths. “Easy doesn’t mean distant. It means I make sure you’re still standing when I’m done.”

My pulse skipped at that, traitorous and loud. I swallowed. “That’s not exactly reassuring.”

A corner of his mouth tipped up. “It’s honest.” His hand slid from my hair to my shoulder, grounding and deliberate. “I’ll slow down when you need it. I just won’t pretend I don’t want you.” He paused, eyes searching mine. “Deal?”

I hesitated only a second before nodding, the answer settling into my bones like a promise I wasn’t sure I should trust-and absolutely knew I would.

“But for now,” he added, almost reluctantly, “you’re not allowed to move. Doctor’s orders.”

I arched a brow. “Since when do you listen to doctors?”

He smirked. “Since one of them told me you need sleep.”

Despite myself, I felt a small smile tug at my lips. I settled deeper against him, my body finally relaxing.

“Fine,” I murmured. “But if you bring up stamina again, I will pass out-just to spite you.”

His arm tightened, protective and warm. “I’ll take my chances.”

And for the first time since waking up, I did exactly what he asked.

I rested.

***

***

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

Chapter 72

DYLAN

…

:

Hunter’s deep baritone voice dragged me up from the dark, heavy fog clinging to my mind.

VPN57

“It’s been more than a day, and she still hasn’t woken up,” he snarled. “You can’t tell me she’s fine.”

5 vouchers

My eyelids fluttered, but my body felt like lead-heavy, boneless, and completely spent. Every muscle ached with a dull, lingering fatigue, as if I’d run for miles without rest.

“Mr. Hale, I already explained-” the doctor tried to interject.

“I don’t care what you explained,” Hunter shot back, his voice sharp enough to cut. “I’m not paying you to stand there and shrug. Do something before I blow your head off.”

There was a pause. I could almost picture the doctor tightening his jaw, forcing himself to stay calm in the face of Hunter’s fury.

“She lost consciousness due to extreme exhaustion,” the doctor said firmly. “Physical strain, lack of proper rest. Her body simply shut down to recover. There are no signs of internal injury, no neurological damage. Her vitals are stable.”

“I think I didn’t make myself clear,” he said as I heard a gun clicking.

“B-Boss-”

“I will repeat myself for one last time. Do something to get her better, or your brain will be a good floor polisher,” Hunter threatens.

A sharp sound cut through the tension.

“You’re fvcking noisy.” My voice came out hoarse, dry, and threaded with irritation I didn’t bother hiding.

The room froze.

My lashes lifted slowly, the ceiling swimming into focus before I turned my head just enough to see him standing there-gun still in hand, fury written all over his face like the world had personally wronged him.

“Put. That. Down,” I rasped.

The doctor sucked in a quiet breath. Someone behind him muttered, “She’s awake.”

Hunter was at my side in an instant. “Dylan-” His voice was suddenly soft and gentle, far from the ruthless man pointing a gun at the doctor.

“Are you really this noisy early in the morning?” I snapped. I swallowed, my throat burning.

His jaw clenched. “He wasn’t doing his job.”

13:03 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 72

:.

:

I let out a weak, humorless laugh. “Oh, please. You’re really going to blame him for this?”

VPN

57

5 vouchers

My head throbbed as I turned toward him, light stabbing behind my eyes. I hated how weak I felt, how my limbs barely listened when I tried to move. Even breathing felt like work.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I added, irritation simmering beneath the fog in my mind. “And don’t act like this is his fault.”

His hand froze midair, still hovering near my shoulder, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch me.

“I thought you-” His jaw tightened. “You’ve been out for days. I—”

“You panicked,” I said flatly. “Congratulations. But threatening the doctor won’t magically fix me.”

I glanced past him, catching the doctor’s uneasy expression. The poor man looked like he’d aged ten years in

the last minute.

“I’m exhausted,” I went on, my voice quieter now, edged with something raw and aching. “Not dying. Just tired. My body needed to shut everything off.”

Hunter exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding his breath since the moment I collapsed. The gun finally lowered, his fingers loosening around it as if the weight of it had just occurred to him.

“You wouldn’t wake up,” he said, almost to himself.

“Newsflash, that’s usually how sleep works,” I muttered sarcastically.

Despite myself, my eyes burned-not from tears, but from the strain of staying conscious. I hated that a part of me softened when I saw the fear he was trying so hard to hide. Hated it, because it made everything more complicated.

“You can go,” I said to the doctor, flicking my gaze in his direction. “Before he scares you into early retirement.”

The doctor didn’t need to be told twice. He nodded, murmured something polite, and practically fled the

room.

Silence settled in after that, thick and heavy.

Hunter stayed standing, towering beside the bed like he was afraid that if he sat down, I’d disappear again,

“You’re not really that popular around here, are you?” I continued.

“You scared me,” he started. “I thought I’d lost you again,” he added, disregarding my last comment.

The irritation I’d been clinging to cracked, slipping into something heavier. I turned my head slowly, studying him. He wasn’t looking at me the way he usually did-sharp, calculating, and in control. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, as if he were holding himself together by sheer force of will. Guilt settled in my chest when I really looked at him. There was something raw in his eyes, something undone. For the first time since I met him, I saw past the ruthless mask. Past the guns and threats and control.

12. Thu Feb 12

Chapter 72

VPN

57

5 vouchers

And what I saw scared me more than his anger ever did. I blew a loud sigh. I swallowed, my throat tight. “You can’t terrorize the whole world every time you’re afraid, Hunter.”

He let out a shaky breath, then laughed once, low and bitter. “That’s the only way I know how to keep what’s

mine.

I frowned. “I’m not something you own.”

His gaze snapped to mine, sharp again-but there was no anger in it. Just conflict. Just fear dressed up as control.

“I know,” he said after a beat. “That’s what scares me.”

Silence stretched between us, fragile and aching. I shifted, wincing as my body protested the movement, and he was instantly at my side, hands hovering like he didn’t trust himself to touch me without breaking something.