Chapter 36
Chapter 36:
Rachel’s eyes widened, her voice brimming with genuine admiration. “Trey, you’re incredibly pretty!”
In that fleeting moment, she found herself struck by how similar he was to Jeffrey. The resemblance was uncanny: the same age, the same height, and a striking similarity in their features. If only life had treated Jeffrey more kindly, if illness hadn’t stolen his childhood, he could have blossomed into a confident, vibrant young man, just like Trey.
Trey, momentarily taken aback, scratched his head with an awkward grin. “That’s… unexpected. You’ve got me blushing here.”
Rachel’s thoughts drifted once again, momentarily lost in memories of Jeffrey. She stared at Trey, almost seeing only Jeffrey in him, a bittersweet ache in her chest.
“Wait a second,” Rachel suddenly exclaimed, her voice sharp with realization.
Trey stiffened, instinctively halting his movements. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Rachel reached out, her delicate fingers combing through his soft hair as the light from the sun danced around them. Her touch was as gentle as the softest breeze, tender and soothing.
“All set,” Rachel said, admiring her work. After a few careful adjustments, she smiled, satisfied. “This style suits you much better, don’t you think?”
Trey didn’t even glance at himself in the mirror, simply nodding enthusiastically. “If you say so, I’ll keep it this way from now on.”
Meanwhile, just outside the hospital room, Brian stood in the shadows, his expression cold and unreadable.
His voice was sharp as he addressed Ronald. “Find a way to get him out of here.”
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“Understood, sir,” Ronald responded quickly, sensing the tension in Brian’s tone.
Moments later, Trey’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then turned to Rachel with an apologetic smile. “There’s an urgent matter at the office. I need to head back.”
“Go ahead,” Rachel said with an encouraging smile. “Give it your best.”
disappoint you,” Trey
Rachel lying asleep, an IV drip gently flowing into her arm. The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound, a quiet rhythm that seemed to mirror her
of her vision blurred, and she thought she saw a figure standing nearby. His face, so familiar, lingered in her groggy mind. For a moment, she believed it was him. But
be a dream, a lingering fantasy she hadn’t fully woken from. But the air around her seemed thick with Brian’s presence—his warmth, his scent, and even
jolt of disbelief, Rachel closed her eyes tightly, willing the illusion to fade. But when she opened them again, Brian was
eyes once more, a voice broke through
do you really not want to see
of realization through her. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she
her voice soft but full of something deeper. She hadn’t expected him to return, to linger in the
Ronald bring over his laptop and a stack of files. He was engrossed in work, his phone constantly buzzing, his attention divided between calls and emails. Even as
glass down, he
he asked casually,
offering him a playful grin. “It’s really sweet. Want to try?”
her lips. His usually
sweet?” he asked, his voice
Rachel insisted, holding the slice closer, her eyes urging Brian to
with a smooth, effortless motion. Her body pressed against his, his solid frame anchoring her as her head lightly bumped into his chest. The unexpected
her voice full of sweetness, making Brian’s heart
warm and low.
little,” she replied, her lips curling into a smile. “Do you
amusement clear in his eyes. “Feed
held the apple to his lips. The fading sunlight bathed the room, casting everything in a soft, golden glow that seemed to highlight the quiet intimacy between them.
he finally finished, she leaned in, her eyes bright with
enough,” he replied, his voice teasing, a faint smile tugging at
Try this piece,” she said, picking out another slice, more carefully
shaking his head. “I’m fine. No
an eyebrow in mock disbelief. “Really? You’re not going
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