ログインCHARLOTTEThe haze around my head seemed to lift every time I focused on the tiny dirt high on the ceiling. I have been at it for a while.I shut my eyes and exhaled, feeling an instant relief from the tightness in my head. The sound of a door opening broke my reverie. Groaning, I opened my eyes and blinked through the haze until the room came into focus.My heart skipped for a second as two men walked towards me. One was taller than the other. Younger too. The younger one hurried towards me. He cradled the back of my head and gently lifted it. “It’s so good to see those eyes again,” he whispered breathlessly before dipping his head down and placing his lips on mine.I stiffened at the contact. He seemed to notice because he released my head and stepped back without another word.What was that?My eyes followed him as he moved to the corner of the room. Unabashedly, I stared at him, feeling a tingle start at the back of my head.Dark brown curls graced his head. His chiselled jawline
CHARLOTTEI took a step back and smiled warmly, hiding my unease at her close proximity.“Congratulations?” I replied, unsure and barely processing what she had said.Her smile dropped. The look on her face made the back of my head tingle. It looked awfully familiar, like I had seen that before.I narrowed my eyes slightly, studying her face. “And you are?” Shock flashed through her face, replaced by irritation. “Vivienne Rothford,” she said tightly, extending her hand. “Christian’s fiancée.”I took it without missing a beat but stalled as her words slowly sank in. Fiancee?My gaze snapped to her face. Her eyes sparkled with a triumphant glint.Oh, she was serious. But how was my supposed husband her fiancé? Did they change the rules of marriage within three years?“If you would excuse me…” she smiled sweetly, withdrawing her hand. “I have to welcome my man.”My chest tightened at the way she said it.“Baby!” Her voice was loud. “You should have said something to me about your guest
Chapter 52CHARLOTTE“Please take a seat.”The two men reached for the chair at the same time. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as the tension in the room made it almost impossible for me to breathe. Dr Nanni raised his hands in surrender and stepped back behind his desk. My companion, ignoring the awkwardness in the room gestured me towards the chair. Taking a deep breath, I settled into the chair.I stiffened as his hand lightly grazed the back of my neck as he pulled away. If he noticed my reaction, he gave nothing away as he took the chair beside me and sank into it.“How are you feeling now, Charlotte?” Dr Nanni asked, focusing his gaze on me. He looked at ease but his smile had lost its glow.“I would ask you to refrain from addressing her so informally.”I opened my mouth to disagree, but Dr Nanni beat me to it. “Addressing my patients with their first name creates an atmosphere where they feel relax and free. It’s part of the process, so my acquintance with your wife has no
CHARLOTTE“Please take a seat.”The two men reached for the chair at the same time. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as the tension in the room made it almost impossible for me to breathe. Dr. Nanni raised his hands in surrender and stepped back behind his desk. My companion, unbothered gestured me towards the chair. Taking a deep breath, I settled into the chair.I stiffened as his hand lightly grazed the back of my neck as he pulled away. If he noticed my reaction, he gave nothing away as he took the chair beside me and sank into it.“How are you feeling now, Charlotte?” Dr. Nanni asked, focusing his gaze on me. He looked at ease but his smile had lost its glow.“I would ask you to refrain from addressing her so informally.”I opened my mouth to disagree, but Dr. Nanni beat me to it. “Addressing my patients with their first name creates an atmosphere where they feel relaxed and free. It’s part of the process, so my acquaintance with your wife has nothing to do with my job here.”
CHARLOTTE“Are you ready, Charlotte?” Nurse Amelia caught my eye, winking.Heat rushed to my cheeks at the mention of my name.We shared an inside joke, but it was at my expense.The nurses assigned to me had noticed my reaction whenever they addressed me as Mrs. Hale. So, unknown to me, they recorded my reaction every time I made a face. At the end of the shift, they had gathered in my room, showing me hilarious, meme-worthy pictures of myself.Since then, they have opted to call me by my name. Which I was grateful for.“In a minute,” I replied, circling today’s date on a miniature calendar she had given me. I scribbled in the tiny circle and stepped back to admire my art.“Oh, I can’t believe it,” Nurse Amelia muttered, peeping over my shoulder. “I’m going to miss you terribly. You’ve been my patient ever.”I turned to face her, my eyes misting at the sight of her teary eyes. I reached for her hand. “I’m going to miss you too. But I’m so glad to be out of here.”It’s been ten days s
CHRISTIAN“You’ve got blood on my shirt, Jesus,” Ethan rolled up his sleeves hiding the bloodstain. “Maybe now we can get a little messier.”I stood behind them, taking it all in. The warehouse was soundproof, so I wasn’t worried about the screams coming from his mouth. Soundproofing the warehouse was just an additional precaution I wanted to take, even though it was miles from town.It was one of our warehouses scattered across the country. They were mostly leased but this one was special. I had specifically kept it aside for situations like this. The proximity to town was just the perfect distance.“Or you could just tell us what we need to know and put an end to this torture.” Ethan offered before landing a blow on Jesus’ face.His head rolled backwards and when it came back up, a large smile showed off his bloodied teeth. “Vete a al mierda.” Go to hell.I flexed my knuckles just as Ethan punched him again, this time, in his stomach. This was getting nowhere. Ethan had been on h







