Blushwood Health
Chapter 13
She wiped her tears and turned to run.
Declan instinctively reached out to stop her–but his hand froze midair.
What the hell was he doing?
He stood there, watching Celeste disappear down the hallway. Lips pressed into a thin line, he said nothing.
Maybe it was for the best. Maybe it was time to figure out what the hell he really wanted.
Three years later.
Westbridge Heights International Airport.
A plane cut through the sky, leaving behind a pale white trail as it began its descent. In the chaos of the arrival terminal, Marissa stood out like a misplaced summer breeze–light blouse, pencil skirt, and a look that clearly didn’t get the “cold front” memo.
Dragging a heavy suitcase behind her, she mumbled under her breath, “How is it this freaking cold
in Westbridge in the middle of summer? I need to find somewhere to change–fast.”
The man walking beside her chuckled, clearly amused. He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over
her shoulders. “Told you it’s unusually chilly this year. But no, you had to be stubborn. Now look at
you.”
His body heat still clung to the fabric, wrapping her in a familiar warmth. She opened her mouth
like she was going to argue–but stayed quiet.
Whatever. He did lend her his coat. She could put up with him for now.
Adrian Carter casually took her suitcase and started toward the exit. But just a few steps in, Marissa
paused.
“I’m gonna hit the restroom. Wait here.”
She turned and disappeared toward the corridor.
When Marissa returned, something felt off.
Chapter 13
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A tall man in black leaned against the wall, his sharp silhouette vaguely familiar, like he was waiting for someone.
She didn’t think much of it, barely glanced his way.
Until he moved.
He turned around, and suddenly, there it was–that face.
Declan Hawthorne.
“Knew it was you,” he said, his voice low and steady. There was something unreadable in his eyes as he looked at her. He didn’t come closer–just stood there, blocking her path.
It took him a long moment before he spoke again.
“Saw someone rushing by… thought they looked familiar. Came to check. How’ve you been?”
Marissa wasn’t entirely sure why he’d stopped her. But she hesitated briefly, then gave a small nod.
“Pretty good.”
And it wasn’t a lie.
1
Three years ago, she’d flown overseas alone–no friends, no money, nothing but the clothes on her back. It had been brutal in the beginning.
But then Adrian showed up.
He was her landlord at first–later, her confidant and boyfriend.
It was a twist of fate, really. She’d been scrambling for a place to stay and a job when Adrian walked
into her life like some half–annoying, half–charming savior.
He’d grown up in Crestfall after his father relocated the family there. Through sheer
determination, he’d built his own clinic from the ground up.
Marissa had just wanted to rent a room for a few weeks and promised to move out once she found a job. But a few days in, they started talking about home and realized they’d actually gone to the same
university.
Different graduating classes, sure–but still, fellow alumni.
Even crazier? They might’ve met on campus years ago if their paths hadn’t taken such different
Chapter 13
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turns.
But fate has its own timing.
They crossed paths in Crestfall instead. And when she had nowhere to go, Adrian didn’t hesitate- he gave her a roof, no strings attached.
Eventually, Marissa joined his clinic as a psychologist. Thanks to Adrian, she had both professional freedom and confidence–something she’d lost while drowning in caretaking and isolation.
He encouraged her, believed in her, helped her rebuild everything from scratch.
And somehow, through all of that, they fell in love.
