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Chapter 8
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“But there’s no telling when Gideon will die. By then, I might not be able to protect you anymore.”
“Remember–don’t come back until I’ve cleaned this up.”
I staggered.
The evidence… is still inside me?
Damien… and Sierra… they’re siblings?
“Patient? Did you come to the wrong room?”
A male voice rang out behind me.
My whole body tensed.
I turned slowly. A masked man, whose features closely resembled Dr. Sutton’s, was staring straight at me.
Then the door opened.
Damien stood frozen mid–call, shock written all over his face. From inside, Sierra’s voice echoed out:
“Hello? Brother?”
Back at the manor, a stinging slap cracked across my cheek.
Celeste’s eyes were burning with fury. Behind her stood Damien, looking red–eyed and aggrieved.
“If he hadn’t called the doctor to save your life, you’d be dead already!” she spat. “You just injured him, and now you’re pushing your savior down the stairs?”
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Celeste! Don’t believe him! He’s Sierra’s brother! Check his call logs if you don’t believe
me!”
“He staged that jump because I overheard them–he wanted everyone to think I tried to kill
him!”
Tears suddenly streamed down Damien’s face. “Gid, what are you even saying? Her last name’s Merlin. Mine is Locke. How could I be her brother?”
He pointed at me, voice trembling. “And why would I ever be connected to a murderer like her?”
I bit down hard, holding back rage. “You took your father’s name. She took your mother’s. Isn’t that explanation enough?”
Damien’s expression darkened.
“Fine! If I’m so suspicious, let Celeste investigate mel”
He shoved his phone toward her, “Go ahead. Take it. I’m used to being doubted. No matter
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what I do, my brother will never see me clearly.”
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Celeste hesitated. Her eyes softened with a touch of pity as she gently pushed the phone.
away.
“How could I not trust you?” she said, then turned to me with icy resolve. “Gideon, I won’t let you go this time.”
“Three days. I’ll see you in court. And I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life behind.
bars.”
She turned to leave, clutching Damien’s arm.
Panic surged through me. I lunged forward.
“Celeste! Don’t go with him–you’ll be in danger!”
“Enough!” she snapped.
She shoved me hard. I hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Pain stabbed through my chest. My pupils contracted.
Did the blade… shift?
“I trusted you so many times, and every time you let me down. You protect murderers. You lie to my face. I’ve had enough.”
“You’re not my husband anymore.”
I reached for her with a trembling hand.
“Celeste… the hospital…”
For a moment, something flickered in her eyes–panic? But it quickly turned cold.
“Oh please,” she sneered. “Dr. Sutton already removed the foreign body in your heart.
You’re fine now.”
“So what are you playing at? Faking another collapse to gain sympathy?”
My lips were turning purple. I couldn’t speak.
She stared at me for a few seconds, her brows slightly furrowed.
“I’m not in the mood for your drama,” she muttered. “Enjoy it on your own.”
She turned away.
The door slammed shut.
My hand, still reaching, fell limp against the floor.
My vision darkened.
Later, after settling Damien into a room, Celeste returned to the hospital to thank the
surgeon.
“If it weren’t for you,” she said sincerely, “he might have had to live with that piece of metal inside him forever. Thank you for removing it.”
The surgeon blinked, confused.
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“Remove it? Ms. Hartwell, the foreign object is still there. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
Celeste froze, still holding the thank–you banner.
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Chapter 8
