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.

"You scared me to death! How do you feel? Does your head hurt? Does anything else feel off?"

She rattled off questions nonstop, looking Annie up and down, clearly worried.

Seeing Suzanna eased the tightness in Annie's chest. A genuine smile finally showed on her face. "I'm fine, Suzie."

Suzanna sighed in relief, only to flare back into outrage a moment later. She yelled, "That bastard Sean! He just won't go away! If I ever get my hands on him, I swear I'll tear him apart!"

Christian quietly pulled the ward door closed behind him. The softness on his face vanished the moment he stepped into the hallway.

Michael was already waiting near the end of the corridor.

The moment Christian emerged, Michael immediately walked over. "Mr. Parker."

He then handed Christian the digital tablet.

"The Frost family moved fast. Sean was put on an early flight this morning. As for Cecilia, Easton took care of it as well. He made sure that she won't get another chance to stir up trouble."

Christian took the digital tablet and scrolled through it.

The screen displayed airport surveillance footage. Sean was being escorted by two men in black, forced toward the gate.

Christian nodded, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, at the Frost family's private rehabilitation center on the outskirts of Jynston, several black Bentleys rolled in and stopped in front of a standalone white building.