Chapter 550
Anathea stopped short when she realized she was half–cocooned i Gregory’s arms, his pine scent subtly tickling her nose. It was a far more pleasant scent than antiseptic, but she quickly snapped out of her daze and stepped aside to avoid him.
Having put some distance between them, she answered, “Just water.”
“You got it.” Gregory bought her a bottle of water.
Anathea was about to bend over and retrieve the bottled water when he beat her to it. He handed her the bottle.
“Thanks,” she said, taking the bottle. Gregory’s fingers flexed slightly and grazed the back of her hand. She couldn’t tell if he’d done it on purpose, but when she cut a sidelong look at him, his expression remained the same.
“That’s two bucks,” Gregory pointed out.
“Excuse me?” Anathea asked in puzzlement.
“The water’s two bucks. You can transfer me the cash,” Gregory said.
Anathea was silent for two seconds as she shot him an odd look. He was the CEO of Sinclair Group, for heaven’s sake. Did he have to be so stingy? Nonetheless, she fished out her phone and pulled up their conversation, then transferred him the money.
Gregory couldn’t suppress his smile when a new message–from Anathea, no less–sprang into the conversation box that had long been silent. But he did not take her money; he was happy enough that she texted him voluntarily.
Anathea didn’t know why Gregory was grinning, either, not that she cared to find out. She turned to leave, but when her gaze fell on the long and dim corridor ahead, not to mention the less–than–welcoming fluorescent lighting overhead, she couldn’t help gulping.
“Are you scared?” Gregory saw through her emotions right away and chuckled as he asked.
“That’s none of your business,” Anathea ground out. She didn’t like showing her vulnerable side to others.
But the next second, Gregory took her by the wrist and made to lead her down the corridor. She froze, and an odd look flashed in her eyes.
“Don’t be scared. I’ll escort you.” Gregory’s voice rang out like a deep, warm chord of a cello, tickling her ears. The hot touch of his palm threatened to leave a mark on her wrist.
Anathea wanted to pull away, but he gripped her tightly. She frowned. “Let go of me…”
“Shh.” He put a finger to his lips and drawled meaningfully as if in warning, “Don’t attract them now.”
“Them“? Anathea felt a chill run up her spine, for she had heard that a hospital was one of the most haunted places, especially at late night or in the wee hours of the morning.
She closed her eyes and did not try to pull away from Gregory again. Instead, she allowed him to lead her toward Adam’s room.
However, she avoided his gaze entirely and stubbornly stared at the sky outside the window. It was dark, and the lights of the hospital illuminated her and Gregory’s reflections in the glass.
At some point, she found herself staring at Gregory’s side profile.
He’d changed a lot since the last time they saw each other. He’d lost plenty of weight, for starters, and his jawline was far more visible now. He wasn’t as intimidating or cold as before, either, but gave off a grounded impression. It was different and strange, almost reassuring.
Anathea froze when the thought crossed her mind, and Gregory happened to glance over. Their eyes met in the glass, and she thought she saw the tempestuous emotions in his dark gaze.
Pressing her lips into a thin line, Anathea quickly withdrew her gaze and hurried forward. Just then, Gregory’s grip tightened around her wrist as he hauled her back, then turned her to face him
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Chapter 550
+25 BONUS
“What are you
Before Anathea could finish speaking, Gregory took off the jacket raped around her shoulders and tossed it to
him.
bench beside
He then shrugged off his own jacket, and instead of draping it over her frame, he grabbed her arm and shoved it into the sleeve, then did the same with the other. For good measure, he buttoned the jacket when he was done. That way, she wouldn’t take the jacket off.
“Mine’s thicker and warmer.” Gregory’s warm breath brushed over Anathea’s cheek.
Anathea’s hands, which hung at her sides, were hidden by the long sleeves of Gregory’s large jacket as she clenched them into fists. “You could have thrown it away if you didn’t want it.”
She made to unbutton the jacket, but Gregory put his hand over the back of hers to stop her.
