The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 217

Injured Hand?

It was a three-hour drive to Rexam, but the return trip by chopper would take only about an hour. Moreover, a report had come in about a road accident on the expressway.

In the end, everyone agreed to take a helicopter, even Noelle.

Two VIP helicopters accommodated the Hartleys and the Vanders.

Noelle naturally joined Silas’s family and sat next to him. It would have been strange if she sat next to either Celine or Sterling.

When the chopper took off, Noelle held her breath and grabbed Silas’s shirt.

A chuckle left Silas’s lips. To Noelle, his amusement over her fright seemed louder than the roaring motor.

“This is just like taking a plane,” Silas remarked.

Because of the loud noise, Noelle had to lean closer to him and say, “Are you kidding me? This is completely different from a plane. A plane’s lift-off builds up slowly on a runway. This one just goes straight up. There’s the floor vibration, the noise, and the large windows aren’t helping at all.”

“Then just close your eyes and try to relax,” Silas replied, his face inching closer. “And hold on to me. The last person you want to grab in a panic is the pilot. That’s how we crash.”

He added calmly, “If you grab the door, you might open it by accident. If you grab my mom, she’ll scream. If you grab my dad…”

Silas paused and glanced at her. “…that would be weird.”

He offered his hand. “So hold on to me.”

Noelle did not think much about it. She took his hand, not just with one but with both her hands.

In the next hour, she endured the helicopter ride with her eyes closed, her body leaning into Silas. They were so close that Noelle could feel his warmth.

A few times, Noelle noticed him flinching. She didn’t understand it then, but later she would.

When they were about to land, she realized she had been holding Silas’s hand the whole time. Not just holding it—she had been squeezing it like it was the only thing keeping the helicopter in the air.

She blinked and realized how awkward it was.

Silas Vander, the hottest and richest bachelor in town, was holding her hand. If the socialites ever found out, Noelle would become tomorrow’s biggest headline and the envy of all women.

But Noelle knew Silas was just helping her get through the helicopter ride—more like tolerating her so they could all arrive early in Rexam.

Finally, when the helicopter landed at a private helipad at the airport, Noelle let go of Silas’s hand.

The motor stopped, and Silas began flexing his hand.

Silas frowned as he said, “Noelle, you held me so tight, I think you might have fractured my hand.”

“Were you imagining Brian Kingsley?” he added. “I’m telling you right now, I’m nothing like that bastard.”

Noelle, “...”

It did not stop there.

On the drive back to the Vander estate, Silas kept wincing and rotating his left hand. A few times, he massaged it and groaned in pain.

Noelle, “...”

‘Did I suddenly become the Incredible Hulk and actually hurt his hand?’ Noelle wondered. She bit her lip, suddenly feeling guilty. ‘How delicate is a billionaire’s hand?’

When they were about to arrive at the Vander home, Silas took out his handkerchief and slowly wrapped it around his hand.

That was when Noelle began to panic. Maybe his hand really was injured.

When they stepped into the house, Noelle grabbed his hand. “Hey, let me check it.”

The bobbing Adam’s apple.

And of course, that clean-shaven athletic face.

Noelle’s face burned. She thought this was exactly what she needed to distract her from Brian at the moment. So, why not?

Clearing her throat, she called, “Silas?”

“Mmmm.” He responded without opening his eyes.

“I’m going to check on your hand, okay?” she said.

“Yeah.” Finally, he opened his eyes.

Then she massaged his arm.

“I’m prone to pressure-induced muscle strain. It’s an uncommon condition,” Silas said calmly. “Your grip strained the flexor tendons. They run up the forearm.”

“Really?” Noelle asked, taking a seat next to him. “You should have told me then. So much for holding only me.”

“I was more concerned about you,” Silas said. “A little inconvenience is no trouble at all, but yes, a little massage would be greatly appreciated.”

In the next few minutes, Noelle not only iced his hand, but she massaged him up to his arms.

When he complained about the muscle pain reaching his shoulders, she massaged him there too.

Each time Noelle went higher and higher to feel his muscles, something strange fluttered in her stomach, and she could feel her ears burning.

Noelle began to think back on their high school rivalry and how Silas was somewhat different now.

She could not help but stare at him for a moment and ask, “Silas, why did you hate me so much back in high school?”