Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 118

Silas's eyes darkened instantly. He set down his silverware and asked, "What's wrong? Is the spice making you sick?"

Summer shook her head, forcing a strained smile. "I'm fine, Mr. Sinclair. I just ate a little too much. I'm just uncomfortably full. I just need a minute to digest."

Silas poured her a glass of warm water and slid it across the table. "Summer. Tell me the truth."

He wasn't someone you could easily brush off. His deep, dark eyes rested on her quietly. He wasn't demanding, he wasn't rushing her, and he wasn't annoyed.

He was simply waiting with the steady, infinite patience of an older guardian.

Defeated, Summer offered an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sinclair. My stomach is killing me."

"If you're in pain, say something. What's the point of suffering in silence? Women should treat themselves delicately. There is absolutely nothing wrong with needing to be taken care of." As he spoke, Silas casually stood up and grabbed his trench coat.

"Let's go. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Summer's stomach cramps were intensifying rapidly, and she didn't dare argue.

She reached for her purse, but Silas was faster. He scooped it up and casually slung the designer bag over his own shoulder.

Summer froze, staring at him. "Mr. Sinclair, you seem a little too natural at that."

"What are you trying to say?" Silas raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking if I'm used to carrying my girlfriend's bag?"

He paused, a self-deprecating smirk playing on his lips. "Or maybe my boyfriend's bag?"

Summer laughed awkwardly, but seeing that he wasn't offended and was even leaning into the joke, her curiosity flared.

"So you know about the rumors?"

Was he really gay, like all the Empire City tabloids insisted?

Her inner gossip was dying to know the truth.

Seeing her practically vibrating with curiosity despite her agonizing stomach cramps, Silas decided to humor her. "No girlfriend. No boyfriend. This is actually my first time carrying a woman's bag. I guess I just have excellent genetics and natural talent."

Summer was speechless.

Silas asked gently, "Can you walk? Do you need me to carry you?"

Summer rapidly shook her head. "It's just my stomach, my legs work fine. Thank you, though."

Stepping outside, the temperature had violently plummeted. Even with her thick sweater, the freezing wind felt like it was slicing right through to her bones.

Combined with the crippling stomach cramps, her face turned a sickly, translucent white.

Without a word, Silas opened up the heavy black trench coat draped over his arm and wrapped it entirely around her shoulders.

The coat was massive, falling all the way to her ankles, wrapping her in a warm, impenetrable cocoon against the bitter wind.

Summer looked up at him. He was now standing in the freezing night wearing nothing but a thin white dress shirt. When the wind hit him, the fabric pressed flat against his chest, clearly outlining the hard, muscular ridges beneath.

Summer instantly snapped her eyes away, looking up at his face. "Mr. Sinclair, what about you?"

Silas replied smoothly, "Men run hot."

They hadn't taken more than a few steps before they ran directly into Xavier, who was pacing outside on a phone call.

Realizing how pathetically desperate he looked, he violently threw Summer's hand away, a look of utter revulsion crossing his face, as if she were a toxic disease he was terrified of catching.

"Ah!"

Summer let out a sharp gasp. The brutal shove knocked her off balance. She stumbled backward, her boots tangling together, and she began to fall backward.

Hearing her cry, Xavier whipped his head around. Pure instinct kicked in, and he threw his hand out to grab her.

But Silas was faster.

Silas's strong arm swept around Summer's slender waist, catching her securely just before she hit the ground. Summer crashed safely into Silas's solid chest.

Xavier's outstretched hand hung awkwardly and completely alone in the freezing air. Realizing what had just happened, his fingers slowly curled inward, dropping back to his side. His jaw locked so tightly the muscle jumped, his profile sharp and lethal.

"Xavier, everyone is waiting for you to blow out your birthday candles." Lily hurried over, naturally sliding her arm through his and clinging tightly.

Xavier stared deeply at Summer. "Watch your step, Summer."

Leaving her with that freezing warning, Xavier turned on his heel to walk away with Lily.

Summer was practically vibrating with rage. He violently shoved her and thought he could just throw out a cool one-liner and walk away?

Not a chance.

Summer called out Lily's name.

The second Lily turned around, Summer flashed a lethal smile. "Didn't you just ask what we were doing? I'll be happy to tell you."