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The doctor then moved to check her ankle, concern evident in his expression. “It’s badly swollen,” he commented, looking at Justin. “We’ll need to take an X–ray to ensure there’s nothing more serious.”
Justin offered a nod as the doctor and nurse left the room. Natalie, still processing everything, asked, “It must be my sister, isn’t it?”
Justin hummed in agreement. “Those were her fans. According to a statement given to the police, they were angry at you for hurting their idol. Rest of it you can imagine yourself if they did it on their own or were instigated.”
“Hmm, they must be minors too, thinking they can get away with it without any real punishment,” Natalie speculated.
“But we filed a report claiming they had the intent to murder, so they won’t escape on the excuse of being just ‘crazy fans,” Justin informed her.
“Good,” she replied, meeting his eyes with a knowing look. “You’re intentionally making me stay here, aren’t
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you?”
“If they’ve gone to such lengths to harm you, you’d better not disappoint them,” Justin remarked, his eyes revealing that he had a plan.
Natalie’s thoughts shifted, and she asked, “The video I received about the incident in the hospital with my sister–did you send it?”
He shook his head. “Noah did.”
She chuckled softly. It wasn’t much different. Noah only acted on Justin’s orders.
“I’ll make good use of it,” Natalie assured him.
“Follow the doctor’s instructions and rest,” he
instructed, ready to leave.
As Justin walked out of the room, Natalie’s thoughts lingered on him. ‘Why is he so invested in helping me? Is it just about finding Aiden Handrix, or is there
something else I don’t know?‘
Going through everything the doctor said, having nothing to do, Natalie preferred to rest. Late in the night, she stirred up in her sleep, only to feel.
someone’s presence in the room.
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Alerted she looked around and saw Justin sitting on the couch, with his back resting on the backrest and head tilted a little up at the back support. Sleeping in such an uncomfortable position.
‘Why is he back? To keep me company?”
A warmth spread in her heart to see someone was really there for her in this lonely hospital room, unlike her experiences in the past when the loneliness in the hospital room made her hate it.
After her mother died and Natalie was saved from drowning along with her mother, she was hospitalised for the days. Young Natalie would wake up in the middle of the night, scared and utterly alone, with no one by her side. The loneliness had been unbearable, and she would cry, desperately missing her mother.
Since then, she hated to be in the hospital. If not for visiting her grandpa, she would never step in this place.
Now, as she looked over at Justin, who had dozed off on the couch, she felt gratitude mixed with something unfamiliar. It’s cold these days. I should cover him with
something warm.‘
11:06
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Carefully, she grabbed an extra sheet placed at the foot of the bed and quietly slipped out of bed, mindful not to put too much weight on her injured foot. She moved slowly, making sure not to make any noise that
might disturb his sleep.
With deliberate, careful steps, she limped slightly as
she crossed the short distance to the couch. ‘Just a few steps, but it feels like I’ve climbed an entire flight of
stairs.‘
She stood close to Justin and unfolded the sheet in her
hand. ‘He seems to be in deep sleep. He won’t wake up.’
As she was about to cover him, she found herself
unable to look away from his face. Even in sleep, the aura of nobility and strength that surrounded him didn’t diminish. His features were softened by the peace of slumber, a stark contrast to the cold and unapproachable demeanor he displayed when awake.
The soft glow from the night lamp cast a warm light on his handsome features, highlighting his sharp features, radiant skin. He looked almost ethereal, so peacefully handsome that it was difficult not to stare.
11:06
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His shirt’s top buttons were undone, with a tie hanging loosely around his neck, and his hair was slightly ruffled, adding a touch of casual elegance to his appearance. He looked every bit the man who could
even shake the heart of the most heartless woman.
Natalie gulped, feeling an unexpected surge of attraction. But shook her head the next moment.
‘What am I doing?‘ She felt like slapping herself for feeling this way. ‘Not sure if we can even find Aiden Handrix, but I’m sure this man will turn me into a pervert by the end of it.‘
Deciding to finish the task quickly and return to her bed, Natalie gently covered the sheet over Justin. Her hand moved to adjust the sheet over his shoulder to ensure it wouldn’t slip down, but suddenly…
A strong hand gripped her wrist in a crushing hold, pulling her off balance and almost making her fall onto
Justin on the couch.
“Ah!” she gasped in pain, the sudden grip sending a sharp–ache through her wrist and exacerbating the pain in her injured foot as she stumbled.
11:08
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Realizing it was Natalie, Justin immediately loosened his grip on her wrist, but by then, she had already fallen against him. Her soft body pressed against his, her hands instinctively grabbing his shoulders for support. Her cold breath fanned against his earlobe, her cheek almost brushing against his, and that sweet, tempting scent of hers filled his senses, overwhelming
him.
The unexpected closeness sent a rush of heat through Justin’s body, his pulse quickening as he fought to control the involuntary reaction. His hands hovered uncertainly, unsure whether to steady her or push her away, while every nerve in his body seemed to respond to the contact in a way that felt both natural and entirely inappropriate.
Natalie, too, was caught off guard by the sudden proximity, her heart racing as she realized just how inappropriately close they were. The warmth of his body against hers, the strength in the shoulders she clung to, and the scent of him–a mix of something clean and undeniably masculine–invaded her senses, leaving her momentarily disoriented.
11:06
