บททั้งหมดของ THE BRIDE HE NEVER WANTED: บทที่ 81 - บทที่ 88

The safe world I had built was about to be tested like never before. And I didn’t know if it would survive. We went back inside the ward together. The air felt thicker than before, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. Adrian walked beside me, his steps heavy but controlled. His face was still pale from the shock, but he kept his posture straight, the way he always did when he wanted to look in control. I could see the storm behind his eyes, the questions, the anger, the disbelief. But he didn’t speak. Not yet. The doctor was waiting near Lila’s bed, checking the monitors. Clara sat beside Elias, who was still sleeping peacefully on her lap. Emma stood close to Lila, her hand gently resting on the edge of the bed. When we entered, everyone looked up. The room felt small with all of us in it. Adrian cleared his throat. His voice was low but steady when he spoke to the doctor. “What do you need me to do? Tell me exactly.” Dr. Patel nodded, her expression professional

Lia knew Victor didn’t like her at the moment. The thought sat heavy in her chest as she stood in front of the mirror in her room. The mansion felt colder than ever, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. She had spent the last few days crying in private, begging for Adrian’s attention, only to be ignored. Her parents had tried to comfort her, but even they could see the Laurent family was slipping away from her grasp. She couldn’t let that happen. She had sacrificed too much. She chose her clothes carefully. A light, transparent nightdress that clung to her body. No bra. No panties. The fabric was thin enough to show the outline of her curves, soft enough to look innocent but revealing enough to tempt. She brushed her hair until it fell in smooth waves down her back. She sprayed a light perfume on her neck and wrists, the one Adrian used to like. She looked at herself in the mirror one last time. Her eyes were still red from crying, but she forced a small, seductive smile.

Lia turned to leave. But before she could reach the door, footsteps approached fast from the hallway. Heavy, urgent footsteps. Someone was coming really fast.The head maid burst into the room, her face pale and her uniform slightly disheveled from running. She stopped short when she saw Lia adjusting her dress, her hair messy, her cheeks flushed. The older woman’s eyes widened for a brief second, but she didn’t comment. She had worked in this house long enough to know when to stay silent.“Master,” the head maid said, her voice shaking. “There’s been an accident. Madam Laurent, was in a car crash on the way back from her trip. She’s at the hospital now. The doctors say it’s serious. They need you there immediately.”Victor stood up so fast his chair fell backward. His face went white, then red with shock and anger. “What? How did this happen? Where is she?”The head maid gave him the name of the hospital and the details she had received from the call. Victor didn’t waste time. He gra

The doctor’s words hung in the air like a heavy curtain. Adrian stood frozen outside the ICU, his jaw tight. Madam Laurent is stable for now. But the next twenty-four hours are critical. He watched the doctor walk away, white coat flapping slightly, before turning to his father who was pacing around the ward worried.“Dad,” Adrian said, voice low. “What really happened?”Victor looked up, eyes tired. He rubbed his face with both hands. “I wish I knew, son. My phone just rang last night while I was on a business meeting with some clients. It was the hospital. They said there’d been an accident. Your mother’s car… hit hard. I didn’t ask questions. I just grabbed my keys and drove here as fast as I could. The police hadn’t even arrived yet when I got the call. That’s all I know right now.”Adrian paced a few steps, hands clenching at his sides. “No details? No one saw anything? A side impact at high speed? That doesn’t sound like a normal crash.”“I know it doesn’t,” Victor replied, voic