Sean’s lips, still pale as paper, carved into a faint smile. “Alright. I promise.”
Not <b>long </b>after James and Lillian stepped out of the ICL, James’s phone rang. The voice on the other end was sharp with urgency.
“Mr. Jasper–bad news, something’s happened!”
At the detention center, Judy imed she was pregnant, so they followed protocol and took her to the hospital for a medical checkup. On the way there, a vehicle came barreling into their car, ramming it violently off the road.
Several tall, muscr men jumped out. They were clearly trained. They moved with precision and quickly pulled Judy from the wreck and drove off with her.
The guards in the car with her were badly injured. The vehicle was totaled, making immediate pursuit impossible.
James’s face twisted in disbellet. “She was taken? Are you kidding mei
“What? Who was <b>taken</b>?” Lillian asked<b>, </b>her voice <b>rising </b>with rm.
<b>James </b>took a few deep breaths, then slumped into a nearby chair, <b>as </b>if the weight of the <b>news </b>had knocked the wind out of him. “It was Judy Caleb “
Lillian’s eyes widened in shock. “What? But she was already in custody!”
James furrowed his brow, deep in thought. “Dad was right! This whole thing with the Gibsons doesn’t add up. Someone’s pulling strings behind the scenes. We need to figure out who she’s really working with—and fast,”
After a few days in the ICU, Sean was transfected to a regr hospital room.
He had been in and out of a deep, dreamlike sleep. When he finally woke, he felt drained, like even breathing took effort.
The harsh smell of antiseptic filled the air. Sunlight poured gently through the window, casting a warm glow across his face.
He lifted a hand to block the light. The motion rugged at the IV in his am, sending a sharp sting up his <b>wrist</b>.
re awake.
“You’r
Charlotte’s voice came from the doorway. When she saw his eyes open, she rushed to the bedside, setting a small thermal food container down on the side <b>table</b>.
*1 just stepped out to cool for you. You woke <b>up </b>at the perfect time.“”
Seanturned his head, <b>his </b>gaze falling on the container, Surprise flickered in his eyes. “You cooked<b>?</b><b>” </b>
She gave a sheepish smile. “I <b>did</b><b>. </b>Made it myself. Want to try some? It’s my first attempt.”
The light softened d the <b>edges </b><b>of </b>his <b>face</b>, and his eyes glowed with quiet warmth. A smile tugged at theers of his lips.
“I’d love to ”
Charlotte leaned in, the sweet scent of fruit and flowers on her skin drifting toward him.
heart <b>pped</b>. He thought she was going to hug or kiss him
His chest filled with something warm and giddy, <b>like </b><b>a </b>teenager caught up in his first crust. His eyes <b>sparklel</b>, lips parting slightly as he braced for her kiss
But then–click–the hospital bed began to rise.
“<b>I’m </b>adjusting the bed so <b>you </b>can sit up and eat,” she <b>said </b>casually.
Sean blinked, then let <b>out </b>a quiet chuckle. He couldn’t believe himself. “<b>What </b><b>am </b>I, fourteen?” he thought
Charlotte pulled over a tray <b>table</b><b>, </bid <b>down </b>a paper towel, and ced the container on top. Slip opened the thennal food <b>container </b>carefully, revealing ayer of sautéed <b>vegetables </b>and poached beet stop.
“The doctor said you need <b>to </b>stick to a light diet while you’re recovering, so I <b>made </b>you some poached beet and greens–something easy on the stomach but still bnced.”
Sean didn’t say a word. He just gazed at Charlotte with gulettes, eyes <b>soft </b>and full of emotion.
The had so that face <b>over </b>and overalls dreams these <b>past </b>few days.
And now, walding up to her–right here<b>, </b>infront of him–it almost felt too good to be <b>real </b>