“Wake up!” The voice, sharp and impatient, belonged to Xavier. He stood in front of me, his eyes filled with disdain. “Stop wasting my time.”
I blinked, disoriented. I was no longer on the operating table but in the backseat of a car parked in front of the Fuentez family manor.
My stomach throbbed with the dull, relentless ache of fresh stitches pulling at my skin.
As I gathered my bearings, I noticed Julius Forbes, the butler, stepping out of the manor’s grand doors.
I forced a weak, sarcastic smile. So, that was it, the moment when I had to bow out and make way for Sylus’s true love.
“Get out,” Xavier growled, slamming his hand against the car. “I know you can still walk.”
Seeing I struggled to stand, even my legs trembling as I nearly collapsed upon stepping out of the car, Julius rushed to my side, gently grabbing my arm to support me.
“Are you all right, Madam?” Julius asked softly, concern etched on his face.
I nodded, though the effort to keep myself upright made the pain in my stomach intensify. Sweat soaked my skin, and I fought to stay conscious.
Behind us, Xavier sneered.
“Tch, pretending to be weak,” he muttered, his voice dripping with contempt.