Chapter 47 Shadows on the Court
Chapter 47 Shadows on the Court
It hat on earth had he been through?
Louis was the one she had practically raised with her own hands.
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The sight of him now made Stella’s heart ache in a sharp. prickling way, like hundreds of tiny needles piercing at once.
Sensing the shift in the girl’s mood beside him, Nathan’s brows drew together. His left hand curled into a fist, fingertips pressing into the half–healed cut in his palm.
Was she sad because she hadn’t seen Lucas?
Had he been wrong to stop Lucas from coming?
The strikingly handsome man dropped his gaze, first to the gold bamboo–style bracelet on his wrist, then to the bandage she’d personally stuck on the back of his hand.
Sparkle treated him so well–what right did he have to keep her from seeing someone she cared about?
It was despicable. Shameful.
His Adam’s apple bobbed twice as he pushed his fingertip deeper into the wound, letting the pain keep him in check.
If she ever learned the truth about what he’d done, she would be terrified–and she’d never speak to him again.
His insomnia wasn’t some kind of shield, and in truth, he didn’t want her to have it either.
He wanted his Sparkle to always be free, always without chains.
But at his core, he was a dark, twisted man, and he couldn’t give up this opportunity.
This opportunity had already given him more than he ever dreamed.
Taking a deep breath, Nathan called her name. “Stella.”
She turned her head toward him. “Hm?”
Keeping his tone steady and his expression warm and refined, he said. “Something urgent came up at the company. I have to go take care of it.”
Stella nodded. “Alright. Drive safe”
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As soon as she spoke, she turned back toward the court.
The game had begun, both teams going at it full force.
Nathan didn’t want to take his eyes off her for even a second, but he still rose and walked away.
In his white sweatshirt, tall and long–legged, he drew glances as he moved—more attention, in fact, than the game itself
Yet his expression was cool, his presence edged with a chill that kept anyone from approaching.
“I swear he looks just like Mr. Foster!”
“No way. If Mr. Foster came to a ganie, the school officials would be here to greet him”
“The clothes and vibe don’t match either!”
Definitely not him. Just watch the game.”
Meanwhile, at the hospital-
The doctor glanced over the test results and told the burly man. “Everything looks normal. The nosebleed has stopped. He’s
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Chapter 47 Shadows on the Court
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fine
“Are you sure? Take another look,” the man insisted
Lucas frowned at the guy, now certain the brute was hoping something was wrong with him.
The doctor narrowed his eyes. “If you really want something to mention… he does have hemorrhoids.”
“Cut them out! He’s staying in for surgery today!” the big man barked.
Lucas finally snapped. “Are you insane?”
The insult brought a flash of malice to the man’s eyes. Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out and saw a WhatsApp message.
Don’t bother with him.
The sudden order to stand down caught him off guard, but he didn’t question it. Following his rule of never causing trouble for his boss in public, he gave a quick laugh. “Hey, I was kidding. You took it seriously? If he’s fine, I’m out of here.”
Without another word, he turned and left.
The doctor and Lucas exchanged a baffled look.
“Freak,” Lucas muttered.
He had no idea if the game was still going, but he booked a ride back to Ashford High without wasting time.
Back in the gym, the game was in its final stretch. The score was tight, the energy electric.
Stella’s eyes followed the lean, shadowy boy on the court.
She soon realized that while he looked slim, he had explosive strength.
When he moved, the muscles in his arms came into sharp relief–untrained, perhaps, but powerful when it mattered.
More than once, he stole the ball straight from the opposing players.
His aim was deadly, landing several perfect three–pointers.
When he leapt, his bangs flew back, revealing eyes as sharp as a leopard’s–wild, dangerous, and carrying a violence far
