Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 227

Jealousy Alpha’s Regret

Chapter 227

Sebastien’s POV

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I hung up the phone, the conversation with my grandfather still echoing in my mind. His concern was touching, though I’d never admit it

out loud. As I handed the phone back to Blake, my eyes automatically searched the room until they found Iris. She was moving around the

small hospital room, gathering her belongings, preparing for tomorrow when she’d leave. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“I’ll be back in the morning,” Blake said, stepping toward the door. “Need anything else before I go?”

I shook my head, still watching Iris. “We’re fine.”

After Blake left, the room fell into silence. Iris moved to the wall and switched off the main light, leaving only the dim glow from the

bathroom and the moonlight filtering through the window. Without a word, she climbed into the hospital bed they’d brought in for her

and turned away from me.

I lay there in the dark, listening as her breathing gradually slowed and deepened. She’d fallen asleep quickly–too quickly. It occurred to

me how exhausted she must be. These past few days, she’d done all these things–fetching water, adjusting my pillows, even handling my

company’s paperwork. Hearing her handle my company’s paperwork through the haze was one thing, but seeing the exhaustion on her

face now made it all too real. I had been too lost in my own pain to truly appreciate it

“I’ve been kind of an asshole,” I muttered to the darkness. “Making her run around like my personal assistant.”

But then again, she never complained. Never once mentioned being tired. How was I supposed to know?

The moonlight cast a silver glow across her sleeping form. I pushed myself up, ignoring the sharp pain from my chest wound. The doctor

had said no strenuous activity, but I didn’t consider this strenuous. Necessary, maybe.

Carefully, I slid my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. The floor was cold beneath my feet as I made my way to her bedside. Her

scent grew stronger with each step–that familiar mix of vanilla and something uniquely her. My wolf stirred, comforted by her proximity.

The blanket had slipped down, exposing her shoulders to the cool hospital air. I reached down, carefully pulling it back up, tucking it

around her like I remembered my mother doing for me when I was sick as a child. My fingers lingered perhaps longer than they should

have.

Her face in sleep was different–softer, with her brow furrowed slightly as if she carried worries even in dreams. Without the walls she

built around herself when awake, she looked… vulnerable. It did something strange to my chest, a feeling I wasn’t ready to examine.

On impulse–a stupid, reckless impulse–I leaned down. My mother used to say a kiss on the forehead chased away nightmares and bad

luck. Before I could think better of it, I pressed my lips gently against her skin.

She made a small sound-“Mmm“-and the furrow between her brows smoothed out. I straightened quickly, surprised at my own actions.

What the hell was I doing? But watching her face relax into peaceful sleep, I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.

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15:42 Tue, May 5

Chapter 227

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I made my way back to my bed, settling in with a satisfaction I couldn’t explain. Whatever this feeling was, I allowed it to carry me into

sleep.

Morning arrived with harsh sunlight streaming through the window. I woke before Iris, my body still aching but my mind alert. 1 turned

on my side, propping myself up to watch her sleep. She’d been through so much because of me, and yet she stayed. Why?

Her eyes fluttered open suddenly, meeting mine directly. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air between us charged with

something I couldn’t name.

Then she bolted upright, her expression shifting from sleepy confusion to sharp alertness, like a prey animal spotting a predator.

“What are you doing?” Her voice was hoarse with sleep, defensive.

“What does it look like? Just waking up.” I couldn’t help the irritation in my tone. “Why are you acting like I’m about to attack you? I’m

not going to eat you, you know.”

She didn’t answer, but I noticed her hand unconsciously moving to her stomach, then checking her clothes, as if making sure everything

was in place. The gesture struck me as odd, but before I could question it, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

Her movement was too quick. She swayed dangerously, the blanket tangling around her legs. Without thinking, I lunged forward, ignoring

the stabbing pain in my chest as I caught her, pulling her against me.

“Be careful!” I snapped, more harshly than I intended. My heart was racing–from the sudden movement or from her being so close, I

wasn’t sure.

Her fingers dug into my shoulders, her breathing rapid and shallow. When I looked down at her, I was startled by the fear in her eyes–not the annoyance or disdain I was used to, but genuine fear.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice dropping. Something wasn’t right. “Are you hurt? Did something happen when we were at the estate?”

Her face had gone pale, and she seemed unable to answer. I guided her back to sit on the bed, kneeling in front of her to examine her more closely. Was she injured? Had she inhaled too much smoke at the fire? The possibility that she might be hiding an injury made my

stomach clench.

The door swung open, and Daniel walked in, breaking the moment.

“Sir, the discharge papers are all taken care of. The driver is waiting downstairs,” he announced, then paused, taking in the scene before

him.

I felt Iris immediately pull away from my grasp, creating distance between us. The abruptness of her retreat stung more than it should

have.

My frustration boiled over. Why was someone always interrupting at the worst possible moment? I turned to Daniel, not bothering to hide

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