Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
Austin, watching her frantic retreat, felt a pang of amusement laced with frustration.
He clicked on the bedside lamp, the warm glow chasing away the eerie shadows, then eased himself onto the edge of the bed. Softening his tone, he murmured, “Brinley, it’s alright. You were caught in a bad dream p>
“Bad dream?” Her lashes fluttered as she blinked, gaze darting between the familiar walls of the bedroom and Austin’s steady face. Realization finally dawned—it had only been a nightmare.
Relief escaped her in a shaky breath, but embarrassment rushed in to replace it, her cheeks flaring crimson.
“You were mumbling in your sleep…” Austin shot her a look, his raised brow full of playful provocation. “I was after your kidney p>
If the bed could have swallowed her whole, Brinley would have welcomed it.
The absurdity of the dream, paired with his crooked half-smile, left her squirming with mortification.
“Um… I was just rambling nonsense,” she stammered, her voice small and unsteady. “Some… stranger was chasing me.” Forcing herself to regain composure, she lifted the blanket as if to get out of bed. “It’s late. You should head back to your room p>
Austin’s brow arched, his expression making it clear he didn’t believe her. His gaze lingered on her reddened ears and wide, uneasy eyes, already guessing what had flustered her.
Instead of pressing, he gently guided her back down and pulled the blanket up around her shoulders. “Get some sleep. Tomorrow, tell me what you want to eat. I’ll have Miguel buy whatever you need p>
“There’s no need!” Brinley blurted, her voice a touch too sharp. “I can take care of it myself p>
𝘕𝖾𝘄 𝘤h𝖺𝗽𝘁𝘦𝗿ѕ 𝗲𝘃er𝘆 𝘸𝘦e𝗸 оո g𝗮𝘭ո𝘰𝘃е𝗹s.𝘤𝗈𝗆
After he left, she clutched her overheated face in both hands, humiliation prickling under her skin.
Once inside his room, Austin slouched against the door, a grin tugging at his lips.
“Kidney?” he muttered to himself, equal parts amused and baffled. “What on earth has been going through Brinley’s head p>
Shaking his head, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Miguel. “Check Brinley’s recent searches. See if there’s anything about organ transplants p>
Miguel replied almost instantly. “Mrs. Moore’s recent search history includes ‘high-society organ trade scandals p>
Austin read the message, rubbing his forehead with a quiet sigh.
Clearly, he’d need to talk to Brinley tomorrow—before she convinced herself he was some underground organ trafficker.
Meanwhile, Brinley lay cocooned under the covers, her cheeks still burning as the nightmare replayed in her mind.
Damn it. She had made a fool of herself in front of Austin.
By morning, the atmosphere at breakfast was tense.
Brinley sat quietly, spooning porridge with her lashes lowered, while Austin watched her from across the table, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his porcelain bowl.
“Do you have time this morning?” His voice carried clearly through the hushed dining room. “I’d like to talk… about last night. We p>
Brinley froze mid-motion, the spoon hovering in the air. Without meeting his eyes, she muttered, “It was just a dream. Nightmares happen. Don’t read too much into it p>
The memory still made her squirm, so she ducked her head and ate faster, as if speed alone could keep the conversation at bay.