LOGINChapter 89“Okay.”I didn't push.There was no need.The fear in her eyes was already enough.She closed her eyes again.I looked at the doctor.She was watching me.I gave her a small nod.She understood.She prepared the medication she had brought with her.Nothing dramatic.Nothing that would raise suspicion.Just enough to help Vanessa rest.I leaned toward Vanessa.“Nessa.”She opened her eyes slightly.“You need to sleep.”“I don't want to.”“You need the rest.”She looked frightened again.“Will he come back?”“No.”I answered without hesitation.“I won't let him.”Her breathing slowly settled.“Promise?”“I promise.”She closed her eyes.The doctor administered the medication discreetly.Within a short time, Vanessa's body relaxed.Her breathing became slower.Her fingers loosened their grip on the blanket.She was asleep.I waited.I watched her for several seconds.Then I reached for my phone.The doctor knew what was coming.I stepped toward the window and lowered my voice.
Chapter 88Then Vanessa moved.Her fingers twitched.The doctor noticed immediately.“She's waking up.”I leaned closer.Vanessa's breathing changed.Her eyebrows pulled together.Her head moved slightly against the pillow.Then her eyelids fluttered.Once.Twice.Slowly, her eyes opened.At first, there was nothing behind them.Only confusion.She stared at the ceiling.Her breathing quickened.Her eyes moved around the room.The curtains.The wardrobe.The bedside table.The familiar painting.Her gaze finally landed on me.She froze.I watched recognition enter her eyes.First confusion.Then fear.Then disbelief.She looked around again.The guest room.Of course she recognized it.She had spent enough nights here.Sometimes when she came to visit me.Sometimes when she had conveniently stayed late.And sometimes when she and Adrian had needed a place where they believed nobody would disturb them.Her lips parted.“Serena...”Her voice was barely audible.I immediately softened my
Chapter 87The same room where she had probably felt comfortable enough to believe she was untouchable.The same room where she had once laughed and whispered while I remained completely unaware.Now she was lying on that same bed, injured and terrified.Life had a strange sense of humor.Adrian lowered her onto the mattress carefully.“Easy,” he murmured.Vanessa didn't respond.I moved toward the bedside.“Put her there.”Adrian looked at me.“She's breathing.”“I know.”He stared at me for a second, then nodded.He rushed out of the room.A moment later, I heard the cabinet downstairs open.Then footsteps.He returned carrying the first-aid box.I watched him kneel beside the bed.He opened it and began searching through the contents.“I'm going to clean some of these wounds,” he said.“You don't have to.”“I know.”His voice was sharper than necessary.He was nervous.That was obvious.He picked up some supplies and carefully began tending to the visible injuries.I sat on the oth
Chapter 86"Now?""Yes.""What happened?""My cousin has been found unconscious."There was a pause."Bring her in.""I'm bringing her home first.""Why?""Because my husband is panicking, and I need someone there when we arrive."The doctor sighed."All right.""Please hurry.""I'll be there."The call ended.I walked toward the car.Adrian was already in the driver's seat.I opened the rear door.Then I climbed in beside Vanessa.She was unconscious.I stared at her.For a second, the desire to simply push her back onto the road flashed through my mind.She had hurt me.She had betrayed me.She had slept with my husband.She had smiled at me afterward.The thought of touching her almost made me angry again.I closed my eyes.Calm down, Serena.I inhaled slowly.I was in control.The Phantom didn't lose control.She decided when to act.I looked at Vanessa again."Not yet," I whispered so quietly nobody could hear.Then I leaned back.Adrian started driving.The ride home was complet
Chapter 85I leaned back against my pillows, "Nobody approaches her unless necessary. Nobody says anything that could connect them to me. You're simply people who happened to be there.""Got it.""And Parker?""Yes, Boss?""Make it convincing."I heard him laugh, "You're asking the wrong person to make something look convincing."I smiled, "I know."He paused, "Anything else?""Yes." I lowered my voice, "When Adrian arrives, don't make him suspicious.""He won't notice anything.""Exactly."The call ended. I placed my phone down. Then I smiled.It was almost amusing how simple everything became once I stopped thinking like a wife and started thinking like the Phantom.As Serena, I was supposed to react. As the Phantom, I created the reaction.I didn't wait for circumstances. I built them. And tonight, Adrian was going to walk directly into a scene I had written for him.**************************************I returned my attention to the road. Adrian was still driving quickly. I look
Chapter 84His expression changed. He tried to calm himself. Tried to rearrange his face into something appropriate. Concerned husband. Calm man. Someone worried about a family member. But it was too late. I had already seen everything. The desperation. The urgency. The panic. The way he had reacted before remembering I was watching. He had practically forgotten I existed.That told me everything I needed to know.He cleared his throat, "We should go."I nodded slowly, "Yes."He opened the door. I followed him. Neither of us said much. We walked downstairs.I watched him pick up his wallet. He checked his phone. Then he looked at me, "Are you coming?"I forced a nervous expression, "Of course." He nodded. We walked outside. The cool night air touched my face.Adrian unlocked the car. I climbed into the passenger seat. He got behind the wheel. For a moment, he simply sat there. Then he started the engine. The car came alive. He pulled away from the house. I turned my face toward the wi







