Chapter 29 I had no choice … Do you think Alex will kill me ? I looked at Angela , my face full of unease .
To be honest , I was genuinely scared .
Angela hooked her arm around mine , flashing a mischievous grin .
Girl , Ive known you since we were kids , and I never realized you could be this shameless .
But I kind of love it .
I tugged at the corner of my lips weakly .
Staring out the window at the dim night sky , I frowned slightly .
Did I sleep all day ? Angela patted her chest as if still recovering from shock .
Yeah ! You nearly scared me to death , you know that ? I chuckle bitterly .
Fine , Ill let it slide this time since you took care of me all day .
Then , I suddenly remembered my mom and aunt still at the hospital .
Panic crept into my voice .
I said anxiously, Crap ! Ive been gone all day .
Mom and Aunt must be freaking out ! ela squeezed my hand reassuringly .
I already called your aunt and told her you werent feeling well , running a fever .
You didnt say I was at the hospital , right ? I asked cautiously .
Relax , I told her you were at my place .
Angela sighed , a hint of frustration in her voice .
You always hide the bad and only tell them the good .
Thats why your mom and aunt still think Austin treats you well .
It wasnt that I didnt want to tell my mom it was that saying too much would only make her worry .
And besides , this was between me and Austin .
I had always believed we would get married , have kids , and grow old together .
If I dumped every little frustration and unhappiness on my mom , sooner or later , resentment would build , and tension would follow .
But I had never expected that one day , Id finally reach my breaking point and decide to sever ties with Austin once and for all .
After a while , I murmured , Angela , thank you for always being there for me .
Angela shot me a side eye .
Please , if I hadnt been abroad for four years , I wouldve dragged you out of this mess ages ago .
But , you know , I wasnt the one who took care of you today .
I froze , looking at her in confusion .
Angela smirked , her dimples showing .
When I went to find you , Alex was carrying you out .
So , I followed him to the hospital .
You were clinging to his shirt and wouldnt let go , so I figured Id give you a little … opportunity .
I pressed my lips together and then spoke .
Youre saying I was holding onto Alex and wouldnt let go ? Angela nodded .
Dont worry .
Hes not as scary as you think … just a little bit .
You ran off because he scared you , didnt you ? I shot her a knowing look .
Angela cleared her throat .
Of course not .
The air pressure was just kinda low , and I wasnt dressed warmly enough .
But honestly , your husband is ridiculously handsome .
Seeing Angelas overly excited expression , I flopped back onto the bed , exhausted .
Alexs sharp , aristocratic features flashed in my mind , sending an involuntary shiver down my spine .
Angela , I need to get discharged .
I want to go home , I said abruptly , sitting up , my eyes pleading .
Angela waved me off .
Alex was here all day .
He left for a meeting at his company , so he wont be back at the hospital tonight .
Hearing that , I let out a long breath of relief .
First , I used him as a shield .
Then , I shamelessly let him stay with me all day at the hospital .
I mustve been delirious from the fever .
No way Id have the guts otherwise .
The image of his cold , piercing eyes and that barely there smirk surfaced in my mind .
When Alex smiled , it was already unsettling what about when he didnt ? Suddenly , my stomach growled .
Angela chuckled .
Hungry ? Ill go grab you some oatmeal downstairs .
And a hot coffee , I added without hesitation .
I needed caffeine to calm my nerves .
More importantly , my mouth tasted bitter .
After Angela left , I realized the hospital room was a high end private suite .
Money really did make life easier .
At that moment , the door creaked open .
Forget something ? I asked , turning my head toward the door then froze .
1/2 12,57 PM Chapter 29 Austin stood there .
My breath hitched .
Fingers instinctively clenched around the blanket .
Then he stepped closer , staring at me .
Laurel , youre awake ? The next moment , Austin reached out , grasping my hand with one of his and cupping my face with the other .
His touch wasnt forceful , but I couldnt move .
A numbing fear spread through my body .
Still , I forced myself to meet his gaze , my voice steady .
Back off .
Arent you afraid your uncle will see you ? Austin scoffed .
Do you really think Id believe a word of that ? His smirk was laced with mockery .
Youre too naive , Laurel .
You think I dont know what kind of man my uncle is ? It was a direct reminder Austin didnt believe a single thing I told him or his mother about Alex .
And honestly , who would ? I chuckled and said slowly , If you dont believe me , go ask him yourself .
Austin replied , his eyes sharp .
You think I havent ? Of all the men you couldve used as an excuse , you picked my uncle .
What , you think tying yourself to him will make me let you go ? Laurel , youre dreaming .
No one in Newton City would dare cross the Herrera family .
Even the women I throw away wouldnt have the nerve to move on .
I snapped .
Austin , you lied to me over and over again ! Youre the one who betrayed me first ! My voice shook with anger .
I had never imagined that the man I once loved so deeply would stand before me now , saying such cruel things .
Austin let go of my jaw and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear .
His dark eyes gleamed with an icy sharpness .
Laurel , be a good girl and hold that press conference .
Say what my mother told you to say , or Ill make sure your entire family is done for .
By the way , your aunts kids … Didnt your cousin just start as an intern at some ad agency ? And your cousin hes always getting into trouble .
Do you think if something happened to him , hed even get his diploma ? Your aunt has done so much for your family .
Can you bear to see her live a miserable life in the next half of her life ? His voice was soft , but the threat was razor sharp .
I sat there , stunned , staring at Austin .
It took me a while to find my voice .
When I did , it was laced with cold disdain .
I said coldly , Like mother , like son .
