Chapter 24
Can someone really fall in love with someone new in just a year? How could it be so easy for her, when it felt flat–out impossible for him? Nathan couldn’t wrap his head around it.”
When he decided to love someone, that was it–he was all in, forever. Changing his mind wasn’t an option. But Julia? She’d moved on. She’d fallen for someone else.
A sudden fit of coughing shook him, and he tasted blood, sharp and bitter. The sound jolted Aiden, who’d been sitting quietly at his bedside, right out of his seat.
Aiden’s eyes went wide. “Mr. Haskins, are you okay?” He slammed his hand down on the nurse’s call button, voice tight with panic. “Didn’t the doctor say it was just a minor injury? Why are you coughing up blood? You don’t have some hidden illness, do you?“!
In that split second, Aiden was already imagining Nathan’s will and funeral.
Nathan’s face twisted in pain. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “I’m fine.”
But Aiden wasn’t convinced. He rushed to explain the situation to the doctor as soon as she arrived.}
After running a series of tests, the doctor gave her verdict. “Mr. Haskins, this is psychosomatic. You’re making yourself sick with all this stress–anger and heartbreak can do that. For your own sake, you need to get your emotions under control.”
Aiden breathed a little easier, but Nathan’s mind was spinning. He asked Aiden to snap a photo of him.”
He stared at the picture–pale face, lips stained red with blood–and let a small, satisfied smile curl his mouth.
“Take this photo to Julia’s suite at the Crown Grand Hotel,” he said. “Tell her Vincent beat me up and that I’m seriously hurt. She has to come see me.”
Aiden nodded and hurried out.
Nathan waited, nerves stretched thin, for Julia to show up.
225 22
She didn’t make him wait long. Julia arrived of course, with Vincent right beside her.
Julia’s brows drew together. “Are you really hurt that badly? Just tell me what you want for compensation.”)
Nathan shot Vincent a look full of challenge, then fixed his eyes on Julia. “I don’t want money or anything else. I just want you to spend one day with me. Just you and me. After that, I’ll let you go.”
“No way.” Vincent cut in before Julia could say anything, his tone icy. “I’m the one who hit you. I know exactly how hard I went. You’re fine. Stop with the theatrics.”
Julia shook her head. “Nathan, you’re overestimating yourself. Your injuries have nothi
weren’t actually dead.“}
to do with me. I only came to make sure you
For a moment, hope flickered in Nathan’s eyes. “You still care about me: Otherwise, why would
But Julia didn’t hesitate. Her answer hit him like a slap. “No, Nathan. I just want to make Vincent’s engagement party.“}
you bother?”
sure you live long enough to see me and
She pulled a gold–edged invitation from her bag and tossed it onto his bed. “This is for our engagement. I hope you’ll come.” Nathan stared at the invitation, the word “groom” blaring up at him. Anger surged, and he tore the card in two.
Vincent just shrugged and pulled out a whole stack of invitations, dropping them on the bed. “Rip up as many as you want. We’ve got plenty. You can’t stop us from getting engaged.”}
Nathan’s breathing turned heavy and cold. “It’s just an engagement. Even marriages end in divorce. What does an engagement even
mean?”
“Julia and I were married for years. You two barely know each other. How do you know it’ll last?“}
Julia just smiled, unbothered. “If we break up, so what? I never planned on getting married again, anyway. I’m only doing this for
Vincent.”
“I just want to enjoy being happy right now. Whatever happens later, happens. But Nathan–no matter what, I’m not coming back to you. It’s over. Let it go.”
She took Vincent’s hand and walked out, leaving Nathan alone in the hospital room, staring after them, his heart aching in the emptiness.
Chapter 25
Chapter 25
