Reborn to Marry My Best Friend's Uncle novel Chapter 170

Christian looked like he'd been there all night, asleep at the foot of the bed in that black formal suit.

The fabric that had been carefully pressed was now rumpled with wrinkles.

His handsome profile was drawn with exhaustion, a faint shadow of stubble darkening his jaw. Even in sleep, his brow stayed slightly furrowed, like he couldn't fully relax.

Something in Annie's chest tightened, a dull ache spreading under her ribs. She figured that he must have been watching over her the entire night, sick with worry.

Before she could stop herself, she reached out. Her fingertips brushed his cheek, then his brow, as if trying to smooth the crease there.

The moment her fingers met his warm skin, his long lashes trembled, and his eyes snapped open.

For an instant, he looked dazed from sleep. Then, he saw her, and joy flooded his eyes.

"Ann."

A second later, he was on his feet, leaning forward and pulling her into his arms, holding her so tightly that it felt like he would never let go.

She was finally awake.

Only then did the tight knot in his chest finally loosen.

The fear that had gripped him all night finally eased as he felt her warmth and heard her soft breathing.

Annie's head was still foggy from sleep, and his arms were wrapped so tightly around her that she struggled to breathe.

She could feel him shaking faintly as he held her. She raised a stiff hand and gently patted his back. "I'm sorry."

Her throat felt dry when she spoke. "I ruined our wedding."

Christian froze for a moment. He relaxed his grip, though his hands remained on her shoulders. He lowered his head and studied her pale face, his worry clear in his eyes. He said, "Don't say that."

Annie couldn't hold his gaze. She turned away, then grabbed his arm, panic creeping back in. "Grandma… How is Grandma? Did she get scared?"

The text had been fake, but she'd disappeared, and the ceremony had stopped. Irene had to be worried.

Thinking of Irene losing sleep over her made Annie's chest ache.

Irene was older. She couldn't take a shock like that.

"Don't worry."

Christian took Annie's cold hand and enclosed it in his palm, warming it the way he always did. He continued, "Suzie went over last night and stayed with her. She told Irene that you were pulled into an urgent work assignment and had to travel, and your phone died, so you couldn't be reached. Irene believed it. She's fine."

Only then did Annie finally relax, the tension easing from her shoulders.

She was relieved that Suzanna had managed to calm Irene.

Christian watched the relief cross her face and gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, his voice soft enough to steady her. "As for the wedding, once you're better, we'll do it again. We'll make it even better."

Annie nodded, warmth spreading through her in a quiet wave. Then, her brows drew together. "What about Sean? What happened to him?"

The gentle smile on Christian's face froze the instant she said the name.

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