Chapter 35 The Debt He Owed Her
Sidonie softened slightly. “It’s all right. So long as you truly believe me.”
“Of course I do,” he replied without hesitation. “You saved my life. How could I not trust you?”
“At his words, a faint smile touched her lips. She lifted a hand and gently brushed a few stray strands of hair from his slightly tousled forehead.
““Exactly,” she said softly. “”I saved your life… so how could you possibly not trust me? Trent, all I’ve ever wanted is for you to believe in me.”””
She wanted him to believe in her innocence and to remember the debt he owed her.
Meanwhile, in the VIP ward of the hospital, Julius set Quinn’s phone on the bedside table. He stood quietly by her side, watching as she slept under the effects of sedation.
Though she had fallen into a deep sleep, it was far from restful. Her usually fair skin was now flushed with fever, a soft sheen of sweat glistening along her brow.
Occasionally, faint, involuntary moans slipped from her lips.
The drug was simply working its way through her system. As long as her body metabolized it properly, there was no real danger.
“Fabian, why do you think she turned me down? She could’ve easily eased her discomfort, couldn’t she?” Julius’ voice echoed through the ward, low and unhurried. Fabian, standing silently behind him, straightened at once.
“Ms. Bridger is still married, sir,” he answered cautiously. “She might have… certain reservations.”
If she’d accepted Mr. Whitethorn’s suggestion, it would’ve been cheating.
Of course, he also knew that for Julius, things like morality and social convention had never meant much.
“So,” Julius mused, “if she gets divorced and returns to being single, would she say yes then?”
Fabian was momentarily speechless, unsure how to answer.
But Julius didn’t seem to be waiting for a reply. He raised a hand and gently wiped the fine sheen of sweat from Quinn’s forehead, his fingers uncharacteristically tender. “What should I do? The more time I spend around you, the more I want to keep you close.”
He couldn’t help but wonder just how many more surprises this woman had in store for him and how many more moments would make him feel like this.
Behind him, Fabian glanced at the sleeping Quinn with faint sympathy.
In Julius’ world, people fell into two categories: useful, or irrelevant. But now… it seemed a third category was emerging-those he desired.
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And for Quinn Bridger, that might not be a good thing at all.
When Quinn awoke, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Her body felt uncomfortably sticky, damp with the remnants of sweat.
“You’re awake?” A voice suddenly broke the silence.
She sat up quickly and looked in the direction of the voice. Julius sat casually on a nearby couch.
“How are you here?” she asked, blinking in disbelief.
“I brought you to the hospital,” he replied matter-of-factly. “You wouldn’t wake up, so naturally, I stayed.”
Memories from earlier trickled back-how she’d collapsed in the car, how Julius had taken her to the hospital, and how everything faded into a haze after the sedation.
“How long was I out?” she asked, rubbing her temples. The feverish heat had subsided. Aside from the sticky discomfort, her body felt mostly normal now. The drug’s effects must’ve passed.
“Eighteen hours,” Julius answered.
“What?” She stared at him, stunned. “Then you…”
“I’ve been here with you for eighteen hours,” he said, raising a brow. “Don’t you think that at least deserves a thank you?”
Quinn opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words.
They weren’t even friends; barely acquaintances, really, and yet he had stayed by her side the entire time.
No wonder people called Julius a madman. He really is impossible to figure out.
“Well?” Julius raised an eyebrow, still clearly waiting for his overdue thanks.
“Thank you,” she said, a little awkwardly.
Shortly after, the doctor came in to perform a follow-up check. Once he confirmed that she was in stable condition, Quinn was finally cleared for discharge.
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