Chapter 368

 368:
“And who might that be?” Collin asked, his voice steady, betraying no emotion. The assistant was just about to reveal the name when Linsey’s scream echoed through the hallways, slicing through the tense atmosphere like a knife.
The voice was unmistakable—it was Linsey’s, and she was the only one in the room.
Collin’s calm expression shifted in an instant, his focus narrowing. Was something wrong with Linsey?
Without pausing, he quickly turned his wheelchair around and headed straight for the bathroom.
“Linsey!” he called out, his voice barely above a whisper as he pushed the bathroom door open.
A wave of thick, damp heat hit him as soon as he stepped inside. He didn’t blink, his gaze scanning the room, searching for her.
Linsey stood there, wrapped in a towel, her hair loosely tied up and still damp. Fear etched across her face, and when she saw him, she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding.
Collin’s eyes swept over her quickly, relief flooding through him when he saw she was unharmed. He let out a quiet sigh, his voice soft as he asked, “What happened? I heard you scream.”
Linsey’s gaze was fixed on a distant corner of the room, and she spoke in a whisper, as though afraid to disturb something. “Honey, there’s a spider…” Her voice trembled just enough to be noticeable.
Noticing her anxiety, Collin followed her gaze and spotted the spider in the corner of the bathroom. It clicked.
“So, you’re afraid of spiders?” Collin teased, his tone light.
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Linsey shoved him playfully, her voice laced with warning. “Collin, stop it. Don’t make fun of me.”
But her nerves were frayed, her body frozen in place as she watched the spider, terrified it might spring at her.
If that spider really jumped on her, she would probably lose it!
“Collin! Do something!” Her voice trembled, barely holding back tears.
Collin immediately dropped his teasing and reached out for her. “Come here, sweetheart. Take my hand and move slowly. Don’t worry, it won’t come down.” Linsey let out a soft whimper, her eyes glued to the spider, and quickly grabbed his hand.
In an instant, she pressed herself into his arms, trembling with fear. She wanted to curl into him completely, her body shaking uncontrollably. “It’s alright, it’s alright,” Collin whispered, gently rubbing her back. His voice was calm and soothing. “I’m here. You’re safe.”
He looked down at Linsey, her face hidden against his chest, and couldn’t help but smile. Seeing Linsey, usually so bold, like this—so fragile and vulnerable—was a side of her he rarely saw.
But Collin, sensing the moment, wisely chose not to tease her any further. He stayed with her, offering comfort for a long while, until the heat and steam in the bathroom had finally faded.
Collin gently touched the back of her neck and murmured, “Good thing the bathroom’s heated, or I’d be worried you’d catch a cold.”
Linsey lifted her head just enough to glance at him. “I’m not cold.”
Collin tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his voice soft. “Don’t worry, the spider’s gone now.”
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