Chapter 434
As soon as Anastasia stepped through the door, she bolted straight upstairs. Marcus spotted her and, thrilled, wheeled himself toward her at breakneck speed. “You finally remembered to come home!”
He’d been counting down the days, and knowing he’d be able to walk again tomorrow had left him too excited to sleep. He wished he could just fast-forward time to the big day.
Anastasia was just as excited at first, but seeing Marcus like this, she immediately put on a cool front and scoffed, “Honestly, look at you-could you be any more dramatic?”
“Yes, yes, I’m hopeless!” Marcus had no shame today, eyes shining with hope as he looked at her. “Wait, why are you back today? Does this mean I can get rid of the poison early? Can I walk again today?!”
“In your dreams! That’d be a lot quicker for you, wouldn’t it?”
Marcus barely even heard her. He spun his wheelchair in circles around her, bursting with energy. “But I can walk, right? I mean, I won’t even need a cane, will 1?”
Anastasia was starting to get dizzy from his antics. She grabbed the handles of his wheelchair, putting a stop to his spinning. “Enough already, let me check on you! Otherwise, you might as well get used to that chair for a while longer.”
Marcus’s face fell instantly. “I still have to wait until tomorrow? Then why did you come today? Just to get my hopes up for nothing?”
“Should I just leave, then?”
Fine, go ahead and check.”
No way was he risking another day stuck in that chair.
Anastasia gave Marcus a thorough examination before finally letting out a relieved sigh. “Just as I thought. Everything’s right on track. By tomorrow, you’ll be able to walk.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “But you’d better keep it together! Don’t you dare give anything away in front of Mr. Harrison Lancaster. Tomorrow, we’re going to blow everyone’s minds!”
Marcus nodded so vigorously his glasses nearly slipped off. He gazed dreamily at his legs, practically radiating anticipation.
Anastasia shuddered at the display and turned to leave-only to nearly collide with Harrison, who had appeared silently behind her.
“Sweetheart!”
She nearly jumped out of her skin, stumbling backward.
A strong arm caught her around the waist just in time, pulling her into the warm, solid embrace of the man she loved.
Anastasia felt her cheeks flush, a little guilty. “What are you doing up here, darling?”
Harrison cast a long look at the two of them, his face unreadable. “I came to ask if you’d like to check on our roses.”
Seeing that he seemed neither
suspicious nor upset, Anastasia let out a silent breath of relief. Behind
her back, she shot Marcus a quick
hand signal, then followed Harrison
out
As he led her downstairs, Harrison spoke in his usual calm tone. “You should
spend less time goofing around with Marcus.”
“Why?” Anastasia asked.
Images of Marcus’s notorious escapades in Riverton flashed
through Harrison’s mind, but his
changed. “He’s not exactly the brightest bulb in the box.”
expression net
Anastasia stared at him, speechless. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
From upstairs, Marcus’s voice floated down indignantly, Excuse me?!” The next morning, Anastasia had a lecture at Global Harmony Medical Institute.
Before she left, she pulled Marcus aside. “The best time to finish the antidote is this afternoon. Just stay put and don’t run off-I’ll be back soon.”
Marcus nodded, looking like he was about to face the longest day of his life. How has it only been a minute? He felt as if he’d just lived through an entire year. Satisfied, Anastasia turned to Harrison. “Honey, I’ll go on my own today. No need to give me a ride.”
After persuading Harrison, she threw
her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his chin, her eyes sparkling Wait for me. okay? I’ve got a surprise for you when I get back!”
A surprise?
Harrison raised an eyebrow, then affectionately ruffled her hair. “All right.”
Only then did Anastasia head out, her heart light with anticipation.