All Chapters of After Three Years: She Wakes Up: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

As the newcomer’s voice settled around us, it was like the whole yard took a collective deep breath, holding it, waiting to see what would happen next. Including me. Turning to lie on my side, I winced as I tried, and failed, to get myself off the ground. Closing my eyes, I did a silent scan of the aches and pains in my body. Other than my scraped palms and bruised ego, nothing else seems to hurt–no broken bones or twisted ankles. And yet, I couldn’t help but sit there, frozen, looking up at the man who came out of nowhere to speak up for me. I didn’t know him, but there was something about this gentleman that felt trustworthy. Maybe it was the way he commanded a space without lifting his voice, his back straight and proud as he stood above me ordering everyone else to clear the path, glowing like an avenging angel edged in mid-morning sunlight. Or maybe it was the sincerity that flashed in his silver-gray eyes as he reached out to help me stand with strong, tan hands that enveloped

The sound of my name on his lips made my palms sweat like a nervous child ready to be reprimanded–a feeling that only intensified as I followed him out of the lab into the hall as he guided me into a staff kitchen adjacent to Dr. Winchester’s office. “Can you make this quick,” I added, thinking of my appointment with Ryland. “The professor…” “I’d rather speak outside,” he insisted as he pulled his container of food from the refrigerator. “And Ryland will wait. Or he won’t and he’ll forget. It won’t matter,” he shrugged as he set the timer and began heating his food, “either way we’re going to have this talk.” The way he brushed off my concern got under my skin like a rash. Uncomfortably irritated, I demanded he just tell me what he wanted to say. But he didn’t respond other than to clench his chin stubbornly.“Dr. Clark, this isn’t going to work I…” This time he turned towards me and raised a single, silencing finger. “Outside. Or do you want every intern who might walk in to hear

I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back. I just kept marching forward, shoving my phone into the pocket of my borrowed coat. His coat. Damn it, that’s right, I still have his coat. Groaning, I realized I couldn’t go home like this. If I’m supposed to be playing nice with Misha in order to get more information on him, I can’t show up in another man’s coat. It won’t matter that I have ZERO interest in a man like Dr. Clark, my husband might get the wrong idea. And that’s the last thing I need. Not just because he and I do not get along, but because I can’t even fathom the idea of starting a relationship with someone new. As much as it would feel like poetic justice to give Misha a taste of his own medicine, even if Dr. Clark was a real option, I wouldn’t pursue it. He’s…not my type. And even if he were, I’m not that type of person to pursue a romantic interest when I’m still technically in a relationship with someone else. Not to mention the baby I’m still trying to hide. What would I do i

We walked down a long corridor and were taken into a room lined with high-end designer rifles that easily cost as much as my annual salary. “Ally, I don’t need a gun,” I insisted as she pointed to a smaller rifle from a nearby rack for the shopkeeper to bring into the room along with the massive one Ally is planning for herself. “I’ve never even fired one.” “That’s why we’re at the range, silly,” Allison shook her head as if the answer was obvious. “Because if I have to go to this stupid family function, I’ve decided I’m bringing my best friend along.” “When did you decide this?” I scoffed, frowning at her.“About 5 minutes ago,” she grinned devilishly at my grumpy expression. “Besides I need a buffer between me and my jerk brother,” her expression darkened as she added, “He’s bringing her.”Allison’s lip curls with distaste. Apparently she doesn’t like whoever this “her” is, and for someone like Allison, once she doesn’t like someone, it’s for life. Thankfully, the same is true ab

“There’s nothing going on,” I lied again, not wanting her to pity me. “I mean, I am having money troubles, but you already helped enough. Thank you again for helping me with the lawyer.” She brushed off the complement as if it were nothing, even though it was a real lifesaver. I’d have never had a chance of even scheduling an appointment with Stephanie Quinn, but she not only made it happen, she paid her retainer. She’s already paid tens of thousands of dollars to help me. It doesn’t seem right for her to help me again. I tell her as much but Allison rolls her eyes and snorts. “Seriously, Ari, that was nothing. Now tell me the truth,” she demanded, her tone gentle but her fist clenched as if she was imagining punching my husband in the face as she asked, “Is Misha threatening you?” Something must have shown in my eyes, because she persisted, asking me more questions to test me. “Spill, Ari. Is it your mother?” Bullseye. “Ah, so he’s threatening you with your mother,” she tak