Chapter 54
Chapter 54:
Once breakfast was over, a nurse came in to replace Austin’s IV.
His complexion looked steadier, though the pallor hadn’t fully left his face. The moment the nurse stepped out, Miguel slipped inside carrying a stack of documents.
“Mr. Moore, these need your signature,” he said, setting the papers neatly on the bedside table before lowering his voice. “A handful of media outlets wanted to speak with you this morning about your hospital stay. I shut them down. The Moore family also sent someone to check whether you required assistance, but I turned them away for you p>
Brinley’s ears twitched at the mention, though she kept her gaze fixed on the glossy pages of her magazine, pretending she hadn’t heard a thing.
𝖱𝘦а𝗱 𝗳𝘳𝖾𝘦 n𝘰𝘃e𝗅s 𝗈𝘯
“Got it.” Austin’s expression didn’t shift. He picked up a pen and signed the papers with crisp strokes. “Turn them away. Let my father know I’m alright, and I’ll be back in a few days p>
Miguel inclined his head. “Understood,” he replied, then quietly retreated from the room.
Silence settled in again.
Brinley flipped through her magazine a little too loudly, her thoughts snagging on Miguel’s words.
The Moore family…
She had only ever read about them in financial reports—an empire sprawling and intricate, far removed from the comparatively straightforward Shaw family.
When the last signature was finished, Austin caught her distant stare. “What’s on your mind p>
“Nothing.” Brinley snapped the magazine shut and rose to her feet. “I’ll get you some water p>
As she headed for the dispenser, her thoughts refused to settle.
Why on earth had the Moore family merely sent someone to inquire, instead of coming to tend to Austin themselves?
The indifference felt strangely cold.
Still, Brinley didn’t dwell on it for long and forced the thought aside.
That evening, just after the nurse finished changing the IV, Austin suddenly tensed, pressing a hand to his stomach with a sharp intake of breath.
Brinley, who had been clearing away the plates, spun around at the muffled sound of pain. “Is it flaring up again p>
“Yeah,” he muttered, sweat beading on his pale forehead. “It’ll ease soon p>
Not convinced, she hurried to his side, lifting a hand toward his forehead.
Before she could touch him, he caught her wrist.
Feverish heat radiated from his palm as he gripped her hand tightly.
“No need to call anyone,” he rasped, his voice rough. “I know myself well enough. This isn’t a big deal. If the doctors show up, they’ll fuss over me, draw more blood, and order another round of tests. Too much hassle p>
“But sometimes hassle is necessary.” Brinley tried to yank her hand free, but his grip only tightened. “Let go. I’ll call the nurse p>
“Brinley.” Austin lifted his eyes to hers, the haze in them softening his features like a wounded hound’s. “Just stay with me p>
The raw plea in his gaze—his unguarded dependence—turned her refusal into a lump she couldn’t force past her throat.