I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis novel Chapter 370

**TITLE: The Attention 370**
**Chapter 370 Grounded**

As consciousness slowly crept back in, I fluttered my eyelids open, the world around me coming into focus. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the faint hum of machines.

“How are you feeling?” A voice sliced through the stillness, jolting me upright.

I turned to see Ashton standing there, concern etched across his face. In my haste to sit up, a sharp, throbbing pain radiated through my head, causing me to wince.

“Lie back down,” Ashton instructed, stepping closer, his expression a mixture of worry and authority.

I obeyed, allowing myself to sink back against the pillows, waiting for the pain to ebb. “What are you doing here? Where am I?” My voice was hoarse, laced with confusion.

Suddenly, memories rushed back—flashes of the confrontation with Daniel, the tension, the betrayal. “Daniel?” I gasped, the name escaping my lips like a whispered prayer.

Ashton’s brow furrowed, and his tone turned reproachful. “It took you that long to realize? I thought you’d severed ties with him. Why would you go to see him?”

A wave of embarrassment washed over me. “I only went because he claimed to have crucial information about the kidnapping. I never imagined…” My voice trailed off, the weight of betrayal heavy in the air. I had trusted Daniel, and now I felt foolish.

Ashton’s expression softened slightly, though the sternness lingered. He extended a hand to help me out of bed, his grip firm yet gentle.

As we made our way home from the hospital, I couldn’t hold back my concern. “Is the baby alright?”

A hint of sarcasm crept into his voice. “So you do remember to care about the baby? You’re pregnant, yet instead of resting at home, you run off to meet a man who harbors a grudge against you. What were you thinking?”

His lecture was uncharacteristically lengthy, and I felt my cheeks flush with guilt. Leaning in, I silenced him with a kiss, our lips meeting softly.

After a moment, we pulled apart, and I offered a sheepish smile. “Alright, I know I was wrong. Can we stop the lecture now?”

His brow arched, skepticism in his gaze. “You think that’s enough to make me forgive you?”

I grinned playfully. “Want another one?”

A reluctant snort escaped him, and I could see the irritation and anger melting away, replaced by a flicker of amusement.

***

Once we arrived home, it was clear I was grounded. The notion of stepping outside, even to fetch the morning paper, was off-limits. The confinement felt suffocating, and I found myself chafing against the restrictions.

Days turned into a monotonous cycle of eat, sleep, and repeat. Over a week passed, and I reached my breaking point.

One Tuesday morning, I awoke long after the sun had climbed high in the sky. Ashton had already left for work, as was his routine.

Rubbing my aching lower back, I cursed him silently for keeping me awake for hours the previous night. After a quick wash and change, I made my way downstairs to prepare brunch.

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