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67
“You’re ungrateful, Nelly! Let me give you some advice. You’ll be abandoned one day if you don’t learn to control your temper,” growled Alpha Kilian with a menacing tone.
“Thank you for your reminder. I’d rather be alone forever than encounter men like you,” Nelly snapped back defiantly.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
The air was thick with tension as the two glared at each other.
With a final snarl, Nelly hung up the phone, feeling a sense of satisfaction after venting her anger. She flung her phone to the side before closing her eyes to rest.
Meanwhile, Alpha Kilian seethed with fury. He couldn’t believe she had the audacity to mock him.
This ungrateful woman!
He angrily lit a cigarette, taking long, deep puffs. But it did little to calm his frustration.
The more he dwelled on the conversation, the angrier he became, convinced that Nelly was nothing more than a mundane bore.
Just then, Lara entered the room. “Alpha Kilian…”
As Lara noticed Alpha Kilian smoking, a faint smile tugged at her lips. “It’s not often that I see you indulging in such earthly pleasures. What’s troubling you? Do you have something on your mind?”
Alpha Kilian extinguished his cigarette and replied curtly, “It’s nothing.”
“Why resort to smoking if it’s nothing? Are you trying to act tough?” Lara teased, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.
She couldn’t deny that Alpha Kilian’s smoking had a certain allure.
His every gesture possessed an air of elegance, even when partaking in such primal behavior.
Alpha Kilian smirked and asked simply, “How did the surgery go?”
“It went exceptionally well,” Lara sighed in relief.
Alpha Kilian nodded approvingly. “That’s good. He’ll be discharged from the hospital soon.”
Lara nodded in agreement. “Yes, I owe you a great debt. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“You’ve already thanked me countless times. If you truly appreciate it, then show it through your actions,” Alpha Kilian stated, his gaze piercing.
A strange emotion flickered in Lara’s eyes as she locked gazes with him. “How would you like me to repay you?”
“I’ll let you know when the time is right,” Alpha Kilian replied cryptically, glancing at his watch. “It’s late. I should take my leave.”
Though she didn’t want to part with him, Lara knew she couldn’t keep him with her forever.
She nodded reluctantly. “Take care of yourself.”
“Call me if you need anything,” he offered before exiting the room.
As Lara watched him leave, a determination ignited within her. She swore that she would make him hers.
The next day, Nelly took a half-day sick leave and went to the hospital.
She couldn’t shake off the feeling that what happened last night was no mere coincidence, that there was something more to it.
In the hospital, Nelly was accompanied by the doctor to Gary’s ward.
“Gary is a pitiful soul. He’s been confined to this hospital for years and hasn’t been in his right mind…” The doctor’s sentence trailed off as he noticed Gary’s bed was empty. He turned to the nurse and asked, “Where’s Gary?”
“He was right here…” The nurse stammered, her eyes widening in shock. “He was here just a moment ago.”
“Oh no! We have to find him quickly!” the doctor exclaimed.
The nurse hurriedly rushed out to alert others to search for Gary.
“Ms. Jackson, please excuse me,” the doctor said before darting off to join the search. The hospital was thrown into chaos.
Nelly stood at the side of Gary’s empty bed, her mind racing for any clue. But he didn’t have many belongings, having been a long-term patient.
As she made her way towards the exit, the doctor returned, his face filled with worry. “The surveillance footage showed that he left the hospital, but no one knows where he went after that.”
“Yes, yes. I’m already looking for him,” the doctor reassured someone on the phone.
Nelly approached the doctor and asked anxiously, “What happened? Did you find him?”
The doctor hesitated, his expression troubled. “He escaped and disappeared. We have no idea where he went.”
Frowning, Nelly considered her options.
“Ms. Jackson, I’m sorry, but I must continue searching for him,” the doctor apologized before rushing off.
Unable to find any useful information, Nelly left the hospital, a nagging feeling of unease lingering within her.
However, just as she was about to exit, someone stopped her in her tracks.
“Nelly?”
At the sound of her name, Nelly looked up and found a strikingly handsome man staring at her.
Zachary smiled at her. “Don’t you recognize me?”
Nelly pondered for a moment before tentatively answering, “Zachary?”
He chuckled. “You still remember me.”
“Of course. Donna talks about you often at home, mentioning how you’ve been absent from school for a while.”
Upon hearing that, Zachary’s gaze lowered. “I had some family matters to attend to overseas. I only returned today.”
Nelly nodded, relieved. “I hope everything is okay.”
“They’re taken care of,” Zachary assured her.
“That’s good then.”
Zachary’s gaze shifted to Nelly’s foot. “What happened to your ankle?”
“It’s nothing serious, just a twist,” Nelly dismissed.
“Are you heading back now?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m going back to the office.” Nelly declined his offer. “It’s fine, I’ll grab a cab.”
Zachary’s eyes lingered on her. “Let me give you a ride.”
Nelly shook her head. “Really, it’s not necessary. I’ll manage.”
Zachary continued to gaze at her before offering with sincerity, “Please, it’s no trouble at all.”
Unable to refuse a handsome man’s kind gesture, Nelly reluctantly agreed. “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.”
“I’ve taken care of my matters. You’re not inconveniencing me.” Zachary smiled warmly.
Seeing her agreement, Zachary led her to his car. Nelly made her way to the passenger side.
“I can assist you,” Zachary offered his arm.
Nelly glanced at him momentarily. “It’s fine. It’s not that serious.” With that, she continued to walk to his car on her own.
Zachary watched her retreating figure, his brows furrowing.
As they sat in the car, Zachary drove while Nelly occupied the passenger seat.
“I haven’t seen Donna in a while. How is she?” Zachary inquired.
“She’s doing well, but she often talks about you,” Nelly replied with honesty.
Zachary nodded, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. “I miss her too.”
A smile tugged at Nelly’s lips. “If she knew that, she’d be overjoyed.”
“And what about you?” Zachary pressed. “How are you?”
Nelly hesitated for a moment before answering, “I’m alright.”
“With a bandaged hand and a twisted ankle?” Zachary raised an eyebrow.
Nelly looked at herself. “It’s hard to explain, but they’re minor injuries. I’ll be fine.”
Though she spoke lightly, a sense of resilience emanated from her. She didn’t appear to be pretending.
But the more resilient she seemed, the more people wanted to understand her, the stronger the urge to protect her.
Zachary fell silent, and soon, they arrived at her office.
Nelly glanced at him. “Thank you for driving me back. I’ll go inside now. Goodbye.”
“Ms. Jackson,” Zachary suddenly reached out and grasped her hand.
Startled, Nelly turned and looked at his hand, which held hers. Zachary quickly withdrew his touch, realizing his suddenness.
“Is there anything else?” Nelly asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Zachary gazed at her intently, his voice laced with uncertainty. “Are you angry with me?”
“Angry? Why would I be?” Nelly sounded genuinely bewildered.
“Because I didn’t say anything and disappeared for so long,” Zachary explained, his eyes searching hers.