Karma Doesn’t Sleep: The Revenge Queen Rises novel Chapter 239

Clive’s expression darkened in a heartbeat. The irritation he’d just managed to tamp down came roaring back, spreading like wildfire from his chest to his stomach.

He pried Kristen’s arms from around his waist, not unkindly, but with finality.

“I have things to take care of. I’m heading out. You should get some rest.” He didn’t bother looking back as he added, “If you sign the West Medicine contract, the project is yours. When things get started, just tell me what you need.”

He swung the hospital room door open and nearly crashed into Michael and Cameron, who were clearly there to visit. Whether they’d just arrived or had been eavesdropping was anyone’s guess.

Michael scratched the back of his head, an awkward smile on his face. “Clive, we just came to check on—uh—Kristen!”

Clive shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass, and Michael nearly bit his tongue trying to correct himself.

Cameron glanced past Clive’s shoulder and saw Kristen on the hospital bed, her back to them as she wiped at her tears. Cameron’s brows drew together with sympathy. He nudged Michael. “You go in first.”

He turned and hurried after Clive down the hall.

“Clive!”

Cameron had been standing outside the door long enough to catch most of the conversation between Clive and Kristen.

He frowned. “You were too harsh with Kristen. You’d rather trust someone like Amelia, who’s clearly got her own agenda, than believe Kristen? Amelia would do anything just to keep your attention.”

Clive didn’t respond, but Cameron’s words kept echoing in his mind.

Keep his attention? Was that really what Amelia was after?

He thought back on Amelia’s recent behavior, his frown deepening. If anything, she seemed less and less interested in being around him these days.

Just thinking about it made that restless, edgy feeling in his chest flare up all over again.

He pulled out his phone and started to dial Amelia’s number, but after the first few digits, he blanked on the rest. Annoyed, he scrolled through his contacts and called her.

A robotic voice answered. “Sorry, the number you’re calling is currently busy…”

She was on another call.

Who was she talking to?

His irritation spiked. It had been four hours since he’d left with Kristen, and not a single message or call from Amelia. No check-in, no word—nothing.

Clive stepped in, then turned to look back at Cameron. His face was tight, every word squeezed out between his teeth.

“I don’t love her. But Amelia is mine. That’s not up for debate.”

She’d been part of his world since she was twelve.

Maybe he didn’t love her, but he’d still made her Mrs. Salmeron.

Yeah, he’d messed up with Kristen. But it wasn’t like he wasn’t willing to make it right.

The elevator doors slid shut.

Clive let out a slow, shaky breath, pressing a hand to the dull ache in his stomach.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.

Memories of all those years Amelia had quietly taken care of him—waiting up, watching over him—flashed through his mind.

Out of nowhere, his throat tightened. He suddenly wanted one of those peppermint candies she always kept for him.