Chapter 249
Chapter 249:
Ryder’s call wasn’t born of concern. It was a performance—a chance to scold her, paint her as negligent, and score points in the process.
“I appreciate the reminder, Ryder,” Brinley said evenly, though a quiet edge sharpened her tone. “I understand your concern, but please don’t worry. Austin knows his limits, and as his wife, I will be there for him whenever he needs me p>
“You—” Ryder faltered. He hadn’t expected that firmness, and for a moment, he had no words.
“If that’s all, I’ll hang up. I have another meeting waiting,” Brinley concluded, leaving him no room to recover.
Before he could stammer out a reply, she ended the call.
She slid her phone aside and returned to the conference room, the icy mask she’d worn moments ago melting back into her usual composed expression, as if the unsettling call had never happened.
She turned to the table of colleagues. “Let’s continue p>
The meeting moved forward without a hitch—her voice steady, her notes precise. No one detected the storm beneath her calm exterior.
𝘑𝗼і𝗇 𝘁𝗵о𝘶ѕ𝘢𝗇ds о𝘧 𝘧𝗮𝗻𝘴 on
Only when the room emptied did Brinley lean back in her chair with a slow exhale, phone in hand.
Her screen was bare—still no message from Austin.
She tried calling. Once. Twice. Three times.
Each attempt ended with the same mechanical voice: “The number you dialed is temporarily unavailable p>
Brinley stood by the window, fingers tightening around the phone until her knuckles paled. She closed her eyes, willing away the knot in her chest.
When she opened them again, the cool composure was gone, replaced by deep-seated worry. For all Ryder’s provocation, his words hadn’t been empty. Austin was sick—seriously sick.
She tapped into her messages and typed in a rush. “Austin, I know you’re hospitalized. Please message me back p>
Her message vanished into the digital void, met by silence.
She drew in a deep breath, snatched up her coat and bag, and stood to leave.
She needed to see Austin. That was all that mattered.
Striding out of her office, Brinley called to her assistant, “Corbin, postpone the afternoon meeting to tomorrow. And send the Westgate Project files to my email p>
“Mrs. Moore, where are you going?” Corbin asked, baffled by her sudden urgency.
She didn’t slow down. Her voice carried down the hallway, clipped yet resolute. “To see someone p>
Someone who had carried his burdens alone for far too long.
Someone foolish enough to hide his illness from her.