Semua Bab Be Mine Again, Dear Wife: Bab 81 - Bab 90

Harper sat beside Malakai in the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridor just outside the operating theatre. The chairs were hard plastic, the kind that made your back ache after ten minutes, but neither of them moved. The air smelled of disinfectant and old coffee. Somewhere down the corridor, a monitor beeped steadily.Malakai was rigid. His spine was straight, his hands were clasped between his knees, and his eyes were fixed on a single scuff mark on the floor. He hadn't blinked in so long, Harper wasn't sure he remembered how.She reached over and slipped her hand into his. His fingers were ice-cold. He didn't pull away, but he didn't squeeze back either. She squeezed gently."He's going to be fine," she said softly. "Aiden's strong. He's just as stubborn as you are, remember? He'll fight through this."Malakai didn't respond at first. Then, slowly, he lifted his head. His eyes met hers. They were bloodshot, hollow, and terrified in a way that made her chest tighten."What if

Flabbergasted didn't begin to cover it. Harper still couldn't get used to Malakai being so expressive. Parents turned. A few chuckled. One older woman in the row ahead sighed dreamily. Summer spotted him from the stage and lit up like the sun."Daddy!"Malakai grinned and gave his daughter a thumbs-up."Go, Summer!"Harper stared at him, torn between wanting to throttle him and wanting to cry with relief. He wheeled himself down the aisle towards her row, ignoring the curious glances, until he stopped right beside her seat.She still hadn't closed her mouth. He leaned in, his voice dropping low and warm just for her."Told you I'd make it," he whispered.Harper finally snapped her mouth shut."You're impossible," she whispered.His smile softened."Part of my charm."She shook her head, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her, lifting. Then her gaze dropped to his hand where it rested on the armrest. And she froze.On the back of his right hand, clear as day, was a fresh bit

Daniel's eyes never left hers as he gazed intently at her. Harper's heart raced, several thoughts going through her mind in quick succession. Was he really telling the truth? Or was this some kind of trap?"I can give you the name," he said. "The proof. The reason. Everything."Harper's voice was ice cold when she spoke."Why should I trust you?"Daniel grinned, a tender expression on his face."Because I've already killed for you," he said. "And I'll do it again if that's what it takes."Harper went rigid. He killed for her? When? How? He's a murderer?Suddenly, the air in the ward grew suffocating. She knew he was dangerous, but this was on a whole new level. But what if he was bluffing? Merely trying to rile her up and make her afraid?"You're contemplating. Cute. Remember Violet Chen?" He drawled, and her mouth went dry.He leaned closer, his eyes lighting up with an unhinged sparkle."Don't you wonder why her threats suddenly stopped? She was being a pain in the ass, so I

Malakai wasn't sure if this was just a fleeting moment of mind-racing desire for the both of them. He didn't know how far she would let him go. But one truth was clear. He wanted her. Worse, he was swelling rapidly in his pants, fire burning in his veins. Harper could feel herself shaking from pure aching need. Especially with the way he was staring at her like she was his only treasure."Harper..." His voice was deep and hoarse. "You look so fucking beautiful like this."She blushed harder and ducked her head against his neck, hiding her face."Stop," she mumbled, embarrassed but smiling.He chuckled softly."Can't," he whispered. His hands slid up her bare back, his fingers tracing her spine in lazy patterns while she caught her breath.She lifted her head just enough to meet his gaze."How are you so good at seducing me? It's annoying," she said, and Malakai's smile turned wicked."Because you're the only woman I need."He leaned in and kissed her again, his tongue strokin

Harper stepped out of the conference room on the fourth floor of Horizon Care Partners, the door sliding shut behind her with a soft sound. The ethics committee meeting had lasted exactly forty-seven minutes.Forty-seven minutes of questions, charts, time tracking, digital audit trails, and a surprisingly thorough internal investigation report that had traced the chart alteration to a specific nurse's login. One who'd abruptly resigned two days earlier and whose bank account now showed a suspicious offshore deposit matching the exact amount wired to the dummy account in Harper's name.The committee chair had cleared his throat at the end, adjusted his glasses, and said the words Harper had stopped daring to hope for:"All accusations of negligence or misconduct have been dismissed. Dr. Hemsworth, you are reinstated effective immediately. Welcome back."Harper had managed a polite "Thank you" before walking out on numb legs.Now she stood in the hallway, her badge clipp