< Chapter 33
Chapter 33.
Armando’s soft voice reached her ears.”Don’t open your eyes just yet. I’ll go grab the cake.”
Juliette giggled playfully.”Alright, I won’t peek.”
He leaned down and kissed her cheek, like a reward. “Good girl.”
Mersi
Jovana’s heart, already raw, was pierced again. She felt like a thief caught in the act, hastily handing money to the waiter before turning and walking away.
She suddenly remembered that last year at this time, Armando had gone to Chicago on a business trip.
He must have gone to celebrate Juliette’s birthday, too.
How foolish she had been, worrying whether he’d get used to the climate in Chicago, reminding him to eat well and sleep early.
Jovana pressed her hand to her chest, the pain choking her.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
It was from Eddie.
“Jovana, something’s wrong. Your grandmother’s heart condition has flared up. She’s on her way to the hospital. You need to come now.”
It was like a blow to the head. Her face drained of color in an instant.
The buzzing in her ears drowned out everything else.
She couldn’t hear what he was saying, and she was frantic as she rushed to the curb to hail a cab.
But it was rush hour, and no cars were available.
Frantic, tears streamed down her face, her hands shaking as she fumbled with her phone. She dialed Armando’s number, only to find it
switched off.
The message from Juliette pinged on her screen, “Jovana, why are you making such a fool of yourself? Can’t you see? He doesn’t want to see you right now. If he did, why would he turn his phone off?”
Jovana froze, her lips trembling as she bit down hard, drawing blood.
So, this was it. To give Juliette the perfect birthday, Armando couldn’t even be bothered to deal with her. He’d turned his phone off, not eve caring to pretend.
A bitter, twisted smile spread across her face, more grotesque than any tears. She shoved the phone into her pocket and reached for the nearest car as it pulled up.
The car screeched to a halt.
Rhett furrowed his brow, glancing at the man sitting in the backseat, his face cold, an aura of unapproachable frost surrounding him.
‘Mr. Frasier, it’s Ms. Atherton,” Rhett said.
Harland’s expression tightened, his brows knitting together as he recognized the tear-streaked face of Jovana in front of them.
She was sobbing, her face a mess of pain and frustration.
Jovana’s eyes flared with a spark of hope as the car stopped.
She hurried toward it, her voice barely a whisper, “Sir, my grandmother is sick. Could you take me to Glenwood Medical Center? I’ll pay extra… please.”
“Mr. Frasier…” Rhett hesitated.
Harland’s deep, measured voice broke the silence.”Give her a ride.”
Rhett quickly rolled down the window.”Ms. Atherton, get in.”
Jovana hesitated for a moment as she saw Rhett at the wheel, then turned her gaze to the man in the backseat-Harland Frasier.
His face was unreadable, his emotions veiled behind a mask of stoicism.
She hadn’t expected this encounter, not like this.
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< Chapter 33.
“Thank you, she murmured, before sliding into the backseat.
Menu
On the way, Jovana’s phone rang again. It was Eddie. Her hand shook as she answered, her voice cracked and strained with emotion as she tried to suppress her panic.
The silence in the car was broken when Harland’s cold command cut through.”Drive faster.”
Jovana’s heart skipped a beat. She raised her eyes, red and swollen from crying, and muttered, “Thank you.”
The car raced through several red lights and soon pulled up to Glenwood Medical Center.
Jovana, still struggling to catch her breath, managed a quick “Thank you.” Then she rushed out of the car toward the hospital. She had forgotten to ask for contact details, her mind too clouded with worry.
As she hurried toward the entrance, she noticed something-a small plush bunny keychain, lying on the seat where she had just been. It must have fallen from her bag.
Harland looked at it, his gaze lingering for a moment.
“Mr. Frasier, it seems this belongs to Ms. Atherton. Should we return it?”
Rhett’s voice was filled with curiosity.”Maybe she’d appreciate it?”
<Chapter 34
Marar
