Chapter 4
When Serena Whitmore opened her eyes, a blinding white light forced her to shield her face.
-an ugly map of the blood they had drawn without consent.
“Serena! You’re awake!”
Her a
arm was peppered with tiny pinpricks
Miles Carrington rushed to her side, his ever charming eyes now glistening with supposed worry. He reached out to touch her cheek, but Serena instinctively turned her face away.
“We’re so sorry we got here too late,” Grayson Hale said softly, his voice like warm honey. “Julian Blackwell went too far. Forcing you to give blood? That’s inexcusable
Declan Price handed her a cup of lukewarm water. “Rest up. We’re going to give Julian a piece of our mind.”
Serena stared at them, her throat dry and burning. She’d seen this play before. In her past life, every time Julian left her feeling worthless, these three would show up like clockwork, saying all the right things, pretending to patch up her broken heart.
And then? They’d disappear off to fawn over their real darling.
“No need,” she croaked. “I want to be alone.”
The three exchanged glances. Miles was the first to rise. “Alright. Get some rest. We’ll be back soon.”
They left in a hurry, not even bothering to shut the door properly. Through the crack, Serena saw the hallway light spill in–and caught their voices just beyond it.
“Has Evie woken up yet?”
“Julian’s guarding her like a hawk Won’t let anyone near.
“Let’s swing by that bakery she loves, grab her favorite dessert. ”
The door clicked shut.
Serena let out a bitter laugh that dissolved into quiet tears.
She was too tired–too drained to even call them out on their lies,
For the next few days, she stayed in that hospital bed alone. Nurses came and went, changing her dressings, their expressions hesitant and sympathetic, though none dared to speak the truth.
“Miss Whitmore… your friends didn’t come by today either?” one of them finally asked.
Serena shook her head. Her gaze drifted to the bouquet of lilies on the nightstand. Miles had brought them three days ago. Their petals had already wilted and browned–just like the fake concern that came with them.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Grayson:
Serena, urgent company matters popped up. We’re flying out tonight. Don’t worry–we’ve hired the best caregivers for you.
Then Declan:
Princess, we’ll bring you something special when we’re back!
And I
And finally Miles:
Focus on getting better. When I’m home, I’m taking you to that French place you love.
Serena tossed the phone aside.
She didn’t care whether they came or not. What she couldn’t tolerate were the caregivers they’d left her with–clumsy hands and careless eyes.
One spilled boiling water on her hand. Another missed a blood return on the IV. Bandages were yanked off with no warning, leaving her
Chateri
1905
wincing from the sting.
Her wounds weren’t healing. They were multiplying.
“I’m done,” Serena muttered. “I’m checking out.”
She ignored the nurses‘ protests and signed the discharge papers herself.
The day she left, Miles, Grayson, and Declan miraculously reappeared–right on cue, their “urgent business” magically resolved in time to escort her home.
As they passed the VIP ward, a soft voice drifted from a cracked door.
“One more sip, okay?” Julian Blackwell’s voice was low, coaxing, and impossibly gentle. “The doctor said you need to keep your strength up.”
Serena stopped mid–step.
Through the gap, she saw Julian feeding Evangeline Hart spoonfuls of soup, his long fingers steady, his movements tender, as though he were handling something priceless and fragile.
“Mr. Blackwell hasn’t left Miss Hart’s side in days,” a nurse whispered as she passed by. “Even canceled board meetings. Talk about devotion.”
Serena’s fingers curled into the hem of her shirt.
“Serena…” Miles stepped forward, his face etched with what he clearly thought was tenderness. “Don’t let it get to you. Julian’s blind, but we see you.”
“Exactly,” Grayson said, his voice a silky promise. “At your birthday party, you can choose any one of us.”
Declan leaned in with a grin. “We’d treat you right.”
Serena smiled faintly, but her eyes were ice.
“I’m not choosing”
She looked up, her voice flat and final.
Η
“Not one of you four. I don’t want any of you.”
Chapter
