Her Hidden Crowns (Suzanne and Austin)

Chapter 13

Suzanne took a deep breath to steady herself before answering tentatively, her voice soft, "Hello?"

Austin's husky voice came through the phone. "What are you doing?"

Maybe it was the distance created by the phone line, but his voice seemed especially deep and magnetic. Suzanne always had a thing for charming voices and felt her heart skip a beat.

She gripped her fork tighter, trying to compose herself. "Having dinner," she replied, her tone neutral.

Immediately, she realized how curt that sounded, so she quickly added, "Have you eaten yet?"

Austin murmured, "Yeah."

The brief exchange left Suzanne feeling awkward. She wondered why he called if

he had nothing to say. Still, since he hadn't hung up, it didn't feel right for her to end the call either. The silence between them was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Finally, she forced herself to ask, "Did you... need something?"

She had expected him to brush it off with a simple no, but instead, Austin answered softly, "I do."

However, he seemed to be implying something in his tone, and Suzanne felt her nerves tighten. What could he want? Was this about the hospital? Her mind flashed back to the events yesterday. Considering Austin's influence and his no- nonsense approach, it made sense that he had heard about it by now.

Since they were already married, she thought clearing up any misunderstandings was the right thing to do. Her voice was hesitant but earnest. "Jenson and I are over. There's absolutely nothing between us anymore, so please don't overthink it

She hadn't even finished when Austin interrupted her.

"I didn't expect my wife to be Jane Smith," he said flatly, his tone giving nothing away.

Suzanne froze, her surprise evident. She hadn't thought he would bring up her identity.

come from a powerful family. I promise I won't cause

quietly focus on doing the things she loved. If Austin decided to interfere, it would

lightly. His tone softened as he said, "I don't think you're causing

surprised by his response. Her grip on her phone tightened slightly, and she couldn't stop a small

she

made her happy to hear him

immediately, a

as Austin snapped, "I don't want to

lightly and quickly said, "I... I'm

she had taken on a bashful

with amusement flickering in his eyes.

just been reaching for her food, stopped in mid-air. Surprised, she asked, "What? Didn't you say you'd be

"I can wrap things up early. Besides, it's time to take

from her hand, hitting the plate with a crisp sound. Her heart skipped a

had known this day would come, but she hadn't expected it so

not ready

over the phone, Austin could sense her unease. He couldn't help but smile faintly at the thought of her current expression. "My mother already knows about you, and she's very kind. There's no need to worry. Just be

to ease Suzanne's tension.

"Okay," Suzanne replied absentmindedly.

sighed quietly. He could tell she hadn't taken his words to heart. She was probably overthinking things, wondering what

her down, so he softened his voice and said, "Finish your dinner.

brief exchange, they ended the

she curled up

phone and scrolling

meeting

she found were all over the place, and none of them