Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 186

Effie shoved Granger away with more force than necessary, took a steadying breath, and addressed him with composure. "Thank you."

Granger flexed his fingers, remembering the softness of Effie when she'd stumbled into his arms, and the faint trace of her perfume that lingered in the air. Now that she'd stepped back, it felt as if something had been ripped from his chest, leaving a hollow ache behind.

He managed a crooked smile. “It's nothing. Really, I was just doing what anyone should."

Across the hall, hidden in the shadows, Isabel watched the scene unfold. Her face twisted with resentment as she muttered through gritted teeth, "She got lucky this time. Next time, she won't be so fortunate."

Isabel was at the hospital herself for a dressing change.

Carole, clutching her chest, eyed Isabel's bandaged arm with a lingering sense of dread. She kept her voice low, "You nearly gave me a heart attack, kiddo. Good thing that hallway isn't under surveillance-if anyone had seen you shove that trash can, we'd be in real trouble."

Carole rubbed her forehead, her worry lines deepening. Lately, nothing seemed to be going right—maybe she ought to take Isabel to church, light a candle, and pray for a change of luck.

Isabel's lips curled into a sly smile, a glint of scheming determination in her eyes. "Just wait. After what Effie did to me, I'm looking forward to the show."

a worried look. "Don't do

shrugged. "Relax. I promise, nothing's going to happen to me this time." Still, Carole's

hospital room, where she introduced him with a gentle smile. Granger greeted her grandmother politely,

how is she?" Effie

longer-she'll need someone around to help her out. Broken bones take time to heal, so it's best if she stays in bed and rests. Moving around too

momentarily speechless

as

her grandmother. "You heard the doctor, Grandma. You have

in bed, recover, just as the doctor orders. I still want to help you raise your little ones, you know.

smile faltered, suddenly at a loss

realized both Effie and her grandmother were sharp as tacks their words

his throat. "If there's nothing else, I'd better get

walk you out," Effie