Chapter 241
Chapter 241:
Thirty minutes ticked by, and still Austin hadn’t appeared.
Brinley’s chest tightened as a memory surged back—Austin, pale and feverish, collapsing from a gastric hemorrhage. Anxiety propelled her toward the stairs.
Upstairs, the hallway lay in hushed stillness. The master bedroom door stood slightly open, the room beyond swallowed in darkness.
Only a soft amber glow spilled from the bathroom, the air quiet—too quiet. The water had stopped running long ago.
“Austin?” Her knuckles rapped lightly against the door.
Silence pressed back at her. She raised her voice, unease sharpening the edge of it. “Austin, are you in there p>
Still nothing.
Brinley’s pulse thudded in her ears, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.
The doctor’s warning echoed in her mind—Austin’s body could no longer handle exhaustion or hunger. Yet for days, he had sacrificed sleep to help her keep the company afloat.
“I’m coming in!” she snapped, teeth clenched, shoving the bathroom door open.
A rush of steam billowed toward her, dampening her cheeks with warmth and carrying the faint, clean scent of soap.
𝗗і𝘴𝘤o𝗏𝘦r 𝗁і𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝗀e𝘮𝘀 o𝗇 𝗀a𝗹ոo𝘃elѕ.𝗰𝗈𝘮
Before her stretched a wide marble tub, its surface shimmering beneath a thin layer of white foam, like delicate lace floating on still water.
Austin lounged in the tub, wet hair plastered to his neck, beads of water sliding down his defined collarbones before vanishing beneath the foam. His broad shoulders and sleek, muscular back gleamed under the soft light.
Brinley’s breath caught, heat rushing to her face. She looked away, but her gaze was helplessly drawn back.
The sight of his chest half-hidden by bubbles, and the water streaming along his taut waistline, struck her like a physical blow.
“I was worried when you didn’t answer…” she managed, her voice unsteady, fingers frozen on the doorknob. “Since you’re fine, I’ll go now p>
Before she could turn away, his hand shot out—warm and sure—closing around her wrist.
Austin had stepped out of the tub, his skin still glistening. Damp warmth radiated off him as he closed the distance until she could feel the weight of his presence pressing in.
His palm burned against her wrist, and his voice came low and rough. “Why are you trying to get away p>
Brinley’s back hit the cool doorframe, the faint, clean scent of shower gel clinging to the steam around them, fogging her thoughts.
The heat rolling off his chest, the nearness of him—every detail sent her pulse skittering and turned her face scarlet.
“I’m not trying to get away,” she blurted, forcing herself to sound unfazed while staring down at her shoes. “Just… put some clothes on p>
Austin’s laugh was quiet and deep, vibrating through his chest and into her arm where they touched, leaving a shiver trailing up her skin.
He leaned in deliberately, his breath ghosting over her ear. “Like what you see? Don’t be shy—I’m your husband. Enjoy the view p>