The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

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Devon’s eyes never left mine, searching for something. His next words weren’t spoken as a challenge, but almost as a confession: “Think carefully, Aria. This

is your perfect opportunity to be rid of me. Just walk away.”

I studied his face, seeing beyond the controlled expression to the genuine strain beneath. My decision was made before I’d even processed the implications.

“Fine,” I said firmly. “I’ll stay.”

Things moved quickly after that. Someone handed me a set of sterile scrubs to put on over my clothes. I was positioned at Devon’s head, instructed to hold his hand and keep him distracted. The irony wasn’t lost on me–two months ago, I’d schemed to seduce this man for revenge, and now I was literally holding

his hand through a bullet extraction.

When the procedure began, Devon’s grip on my hand tightened painfully. His jaw clenched, a muscle working in his cheek. His face remained outwardly composed, but I could feel the tremendous effort it took him to stay still. The sheen of sweat on his forehead betrayed the agony he was experiencing.

Without thinking, I leaned closer, my free hand moving to his temple, brushing back a strand of hair. “I’m here,” I whispered, my voice steady despite my

racing heart. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His eyes found mine, wide with an emotion I couldn’t name. He gave a barely perceptible nod, then closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing.

As Dr. Winters worked, I couldn’t help but notice other marks on Devon’s exposed torso–scars of various ages crisscrossing his skin. Some looked surgical, but others were clearly the result of violence. One particularly nasty mark along his collarbone appeared to be a burn. Each scar told a story of pain I hadn’t

known existed.

My mind raced back to the file I’d seen, the mentions of Connor Kane’s violent tendencies. The pieces started falling into place, revealing a history of suffering I hadn’t imagined behind Devon’s powerful exterior.

“Who did this to you?” I asked quietly, my eyes meeting his when they fluttered open.

Something darkened in his gaze–not anger, but a deep–seated fear that surprised me. “Aria,” he breathed, his voice strained, “some secrets will put you in danger if you know them. This is one of them.”

It wasn’t a threat–it was a warning. For perhaps the first time since I’d met him, I glimpsed genuine concern for my welfare beneath his usual commanding demeanor. The realization shifted something in my chest.

When the bullet was finally extracted, Devon’s body relaxed slightly, though his face remained drawn with pain. He was moved to a recovery room, where monitors beeped steadily, tracking his vitals. His hand hadn’t released mine throughout the entire ordeal.

I gathered my things, ready to leave now that the crisis had passed. But as I gently tried to disentangle my fingers from his and turned toward the door, Devon’s voice stopped me.

‘Stay.”

The word hung in the air between us. Not a command this time, but something closer to a request–almost a plea. I hesitated, studying his face–the dark circles under his eyes, the tension that hadn’t fully left his features despite the pain medication. There was a rawness to him I’d never seen before.

I lowered myself into the chair beside his bed, my decision made without words. Just until you fall asleep,” I said softly.

He took my hand again, gentler this time, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles. He closed his eyes, the lines of his face gradually smoothing out. Within minutes, his breathing slowed and deepened. Dr. Winters entered to check his status and gave me a small smile.

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17:42 Tue, Dec 30 RM

Chapter 193

“He’s actually sleeping,” she said, sounding surprised. “That’s… unusual for Mr. Kane.”

I looked down at Devon’s sleeping face, suddenly reminded of what I’d heard about his insomnia. The vulnerability in his expression made him look younger, almost peaceful–a stark contrast to his usual guarded intensity. His fingers remained loosely entwined with mine, as if ensuring I wouldn’t leave.

As I watched him sleep, still holding his hand, I wondered what other scars he carried that weren’t visible on his skin. And I wondered why, despite all my attempts to maintain distance, I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.

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