Just Before My Wedding: Trapped By My Ruthless Boss novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

KISAREL

The second time I woke up, the light was different and softer. The blinds had been adjusted, and the fluorescent overheads. were off, replaced by a small lamp on the bedside table.

Someone had tucked the blanket higher around my shoulders. My arm still ached, but the burning had faded to a dull throb.

I turned my head, and the first person I saw was Jace.

My heart dropped. I should have been relieved.

Jace was my fiance. Seeing him beside my hospital bed should have made something inside me soften.

Instead, disappointment sank through me so fast I almost hated myself for it.

Because a stupid, reckless, shameful part of me had expected to see someone else.

Oceans.

The thought alone made my throat tighten.

Jace was sitting in the chair beside my bed, with his elbows on his knees, and his hands clasped together like he was praying.

His

eyes were

red. His jaw was tight. The moment he saw me move, his whole body jerked forward.

“Arel?” His voice broke on my name. “Baby? Thank God. Thank God, you’re awake.”

I blinked at him, too dazed to answer.

My gaze moved away from him before he could read whatever had crossed my face.

That was when I noticed Elgin sitting at the far corner of the room.

He was half–turned toward the window, one ankle crossed over the other, his arms folded across his chest. He looked calm. but definitely not relaxed. There was something tight in his jaw as he kept a close eye on Jace.

Jace’s chair scraped closer to the bed. One of his hands wrapped around mine, and it was warm and slightly damp, like he had been holding it for too long.

“I’ve been so fucking scared,” he said. “You don’t understand. I got here, and you were just lying there, and Elgin wouldn’t tell me what happened. I swear, Arel, I almost lost my mind.” He squeezed my hand harder, then seemed to realize it and loosened his grip. “How are you feeling? Are you dizzy? Are you in pain? Do you need the doctor? Should I call the m

nurse?”

From the corner, Elgin shifted.

It was small and almost unnoticeable, but I saw the way his eyes moved to Jace’s hand over mine, and the look he gave it was not friendly.

“Jace.” My voice came out dry and thin.

“What do you need? Water? I’ll get you water.” He reached for the cup on the table without waiting for an answer. “The doctor said you were poisoned. Poisoned, Arel. Someone injected you with something. Do you have any idea who—”

Jace, I called, attempting to sit up and take the water.

16:43 Fri, May 22 M

Chapter

“Here, Let me help.

“I can

“No. let me.”

He slid one hand behind my back and lifted me carefully, bringing the straw to my lips. I drank because my throat hurt 190 much to argue, but my eyes drifted to Elgin again.

He was watching Jace with the kind of restraint that made me wonder how many things he had already stopped himself from saying.

When I finished. Jace set the cup down and adjusted my pillow. “Better?”

I nodded.

He bent over me and kissed my forehead. Then my cheek. Then the back of my hand, like he needed to touch every part of me just to prove I was there. His lips were warm, and the tenderness in the gesture made me feel trapped between gratitude and discomfort.

“I almost lost you. Our wedding is less than two months away, and you’re in a hospital bed, and I wasn’t there, I wasn’t there when it happened. I should have been there=”

“Let her breathe.” Elgin said from the corner.

Jace turned to him. “Excuse me?”

“She just woke up. Your worry is not helping if she has to survive it too.” Elgin added.

Jace’s jaw tightened for half a second.

Then he exhaled and looked back at me, guilt moving across his face. “I’m sorry. He’s right. I’m sorry, Arel. I’m just… I got emotional.”

“It’s fine.” I said with a forced smile. “You’re supposed to be at work.”

“You’re more important,” He kissed my knuckles again, “I’ll be here until you’re fit to go home.”

www.do that.”

My brows pulled together. “Jace, you don’t have to

“And who’s stopping me?” He frowned playfully before smiling again.

He was trying really hard… But it still wasn’t working.

He reached up and touched my hair again, smoothing it back with careful fingers. “When the doctor clears you. I’m taking you to my house.”

I turned my head toward him properly. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“No.” My voice came out weak, “I’m going home.”

“You can’t stay alone for now, until we know where all this is coming from.”

“I won’t be alone. Elgin can

“I said I’m taking you to my house. His tone did not rise, but something firm crept into it. “This isn’t up for argument. Arel”

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