The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 24

If York had just been completely terrible to her, she wouldn't feel so agonizingly conflicted. Regardless, she knew she could raise Evie Monroe perfectly well on her own.

Madeline rolled over. Her eyes, now adjusted to the dark, traced his long, thick eyelashes, the sharp bridge of his nose, and the slight press of his thin lips.

She thought back to that accident two years ago. She had been lucky enough to survive and was rushed to a local county hospital.

When York finally arrived, he was covered in dust, his eyes bloodshot.

She had heard that he received the news in the middle of a critical meeting that directly affected his promotion. He had completely abandoned it, storming out and rushing straight to the airport.

He had pulled her into his arms, his entire body shaking. "I'm so sorry, Maddy..."

During that time, he had stayed by her side at the hospital, never stepping away for a second.

When exhaustion finally overtook him, he would fall asleep leaning against her bed, looking exactly as he did right now.

It felt as though he had never changed.

But Madeline knew the past was strictly in the past.

Time dragged everyone forward, and whether they were walking side-by-side or moving in opposite directions remained a mystery.

Lost in her turbulent thoughts, she eventually drifted back into a heavy slumber.

The next morning, Madeline had to head to the magazine headquarters bright and early. Since she was meeting Hunter that evening, there were still files to review with her editor-in-chief, and she was so rushed she didn't even have time to grab a bite for breakfast.

The moment she stepped outside, a sleek Bentley rolled to a smooth stop right in front of her.

The window rolled down, revealing York's devastatingly handsome face.

He flashed a smirk, asking, "Need a ride, Ms. Monroe?"

He completely omitted the fact that he had been waiting specifically for her.

Pressed for time, Madeline didn't argue. She slid into the passenger seat, immediately spotting a fresh breakfast sandwich from her favorite café sitting on the console.

It was still warm.

She offered a brief thank you.

York suddenly leaned in close. Madeline's heart skipped a beat.

Their breath mingled, and she could see her own reflection perfectly mirrored in his dark, predatory gaze.

He chuckled. "You're so polite, Ms. Monroe. Are you treating me like an Uber driver instead of your legal husband?"

York stared at the digital payment notification on his phone and let out a dark, breathless laugh.

She was really treating him like a damn chauffeur.

Someone tapped on the glass. He rolled down the window and met the eyes of the man standing outside.

Hunter was dressed in a tailored black suit that highlighted his broad shoulders and narrow waist. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his sharp features, softening his naturally feral edge and giving him a refined, academic charm.

York suddenly remembered something Caleb had said. "Hunter Holt? The guy is a total wolf in sheep's clothing. The old man says he's utterly ruthless in the business world, wouldn't blink twice before ruining someone. But he always wears that charming smile, God knows how many young women he's completely manipulated with it."

Caleb had added with a shit-eating grin, "The older, protective gentleman trope is huge right now. You better watch your back."

York sized him up.

Protective gentleman?

Arrogant prick was more like it.

It was just a pair of glasses. Madeline used to say York looked incredible in glasses, easily beating this guy's look on his best day.

With that thought settling his nerves, York lifted his gaze and drawled slowly, "Hunter. It's been a while."