Ten Days to Leave My Stepbrother (Beatrice) novel Chapter 3

**TITLE: Across Quiet Meadows Rise Dreams Waiting For Their Moment 3**

**Chapter 3**

Beatrice felt her heart leap unexpectedly, a flutter of anxiety mixing with hope. Her gaze shifted toward Maribel, who was sitting in the front seat, her demeanor suddenly charged with mischief. With a flourish, Maribel pulled out her phone, tapping the screen with purpose as she set an alarm.

The seconds ticked away, each one stretching into an eternity, until the alarm erupted into the air like a sudden storm.

Maribel feigned a startled expression, quickly pretending to answer a call. With a dramatic flair, she let a few tears slip down her cheeks, her eyes shimmering as they turned toward the front seat, where Maverick sat.

“Mac, the housekeeper just called!” she exclaimed, her voice quivering with faux distress. “My puppy is sick! I’m so worried. Could you please take me home right now?”

Maverick’s brow furrowed as he pulled the car to a halt. He glanced out at the relentless rain pouring down like a curtain of despair, then turned back to face Maribel.

But when he caught sight of her tear-streaked face, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features. He hesitated, his gaze drifting toward Beatrice, as if seeking her approval.

“I’m taking Ria to the west side now. We’re not heading that way,” he finally stated, his tone firm yet laced with an undercurrent of reluctance. “You can get out and take a taxi.”

Maribel, sensing the impending rejection, swiftly handed Beatrice an umbrella, her eyes pleading.

Beatrice’s gaze flitted nervously between the two of them, her mind racing. In the end, silence enveloped her, and she reluctantly opened the car door, stepping out into the torrential downpour.

The rain cascaded through several small holes in the umbrella’s canopy, drenching her in seconds. She could barely keep her footing on the slick pavement, and as she tried to flag down a passing cab, her heart sank when none stopped for her.

With her bag clutched tightly over her head, she sprinted through the downpour, her feet pounding against the ground as she fought against the elements. Thirty minutes later, she finally stumbled into the visa office, her clothes clinging to her skin and her hair a wild mess.

Even after painstakingly completing her visa paperwork, the rain continued to thwart her attempts to hail a taxi. With a heavy sigh, Beatrice resigned herself to the reality of walking home, the rain soaking her through once more as she trudged along for another hour.

By the time she reached her front door, a fever was creeping up on her, and her body was wracked with aches. She collapsed onto her bed, the world around her spinning as dizziness washed over her.

That night, her dreams twisted into bizarre nightmares, her body slick with cold sweat as she felt a monstrous presence pursuing her.

When she finally managed to pry her eyes open, the “monster” morphed into the familiar figure of Maverick.

He was cradling her in his arms, a glass of medicine in hand, his voice soft and laced with concern. “Good girl, take your medicine. You’ll feel better soon.”

For a fleeting moment, Beatrice couldn’t discern whether she was still trapped in a dream or if reality had broken through.

She swallowed a few mouthfuls of water, her body heavy with fatigue, and drifted back into a hazy slumber.

When she stirred again, the fever had finally broken, and instinctively, she turned her head to check the space beside her.

0.0 %

22:45

**Chapter**

To her dismay, the bed was empty.

Only the rhythmic vibration of a phone on the nightstand broke the silence.

Curiosity piqued, she picked it up and unlocked the screen, her heart racing as she discovered Maverick’s friends were tagging him in a lively group chat.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify