Next Man Better Plan novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Just as Stephanie got into the taxi, a wave of nausea hit her.

The driver noticed her face turning pale. “Are you not feeling well, miss?”

Stephanie nodded, leaning against the seat and clutching her stomach. A burning sensation intensified until she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out.

“Could you please take me to a hospital first?”

“You got it!”

The driver acted quickly, turning the car around and getting her to the hospital entrance in just five minutes.

As soon as she got out of the car, she felt a choking sensation in her throat and leaned over a trash can to vomit.

A moment later, a tissue was held out in front of her. “Ms. Jackson, why is it that every time I see you, you’re in such a sorry state?”

The voice made Stephanie freeze. She turned her head.

Jonathan was dressed in a black suit, the top buttons of his shirt undone and his tie loose, as if he’d just come from some social engagement. He had the faint, not unpleasant, scent of alcohol on him.

He looked at her, his eyes holding a hint of amusement, his voice cool. “Why are you staring at me like that? Have you forgotten who I am?”

Stephanie hadn’t expected to run into Jonathan here.

Their last encounter had not been pleasant; she had even slapped him before she left.

At the memory, her guard went up instantly. She instinctively covered her mouth. “What do you want now?”

Seeing her reaction, Jonathan held up his hands as if finding the situation amusing. “I haven’t done anything to you.”

He took a step closer, the smile in his eyes deepening. “Or… is there something you want me to do to you?”

Stephanie was in too much pain to joke around with him.

She wiped her mouth and started walking toward the hospital.

But she couldn’t manage more than two steps before the pain became unbearable.

She doubled over, clutching her stomach, her face ashen. Just as she wondered if she

might actually die of pain right there on the street, a steady hand caught her.

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15:01

Chapter 23

Jonathan grabbed her arm, a flicker of concern in his eyes. “Can you still walk?”

Cold sweat beaded on Stephanie’s forehead. It was difficult for her to even speak, but she managed a weak nod.

Suddenly, she was lifted off her feet. Before she could even process it, Jonathan was holding her tightly in his arms.

“If you can’t talk, then save your energy,” Jonathan said, looking straight ahead, his gaze not lingering on her face. He sounded like he was scolding a child. “Why are you trying to be so tough? Is someone going to give you a medal for it?”

Stephanie was speechless.

The man was tall and long–legged, standing at six–foot–one and exuding a wild energy. From her angle, she had a perfect view of his strong, defined Adam’s apple.

She fell silent, her weakness making her cling to his chest like a frightened bird. She could hear the powerful, steady beat of his heart.

Passersby stared at the pair, thinking they looked like they were in the middle of a photoshoot for a magazine.

Soon, Stephanie saw a doctor and was put on an IV drip.

After inserting the needle, the nurse saw how weak she was and offered some kind advice. “You have a sensitive stomach. You can’t have raw seafood with ice–cold beer; it’s too much for your system to handle.”

Stephanie nodded. The doctor had said it was acute gastritis, and she knew she’d been

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