Marrying my secret admirer after my husband's fake death novel Chapter 86

Edith slumped against Justin’s chest, her voice barely above a whisper.

With one arm wrapped securely around her and the other clutching a rolled canvas, Justin said, “Let’s get you home first. We can talk after.”

Edith summoned what little composure she had left. “No–don’t take me home. If my mom sees me like this, she’ll worry herself sick.”

She was safe now; the last thing she wanted was for Jayne to be frightened for no reason.

Justin understood immediately. “Then… do you want to come to my place?”

There really wasn’t another option. Edith nodded weakly. “Okay.”

Justin’s car was parked beneath an old sycamore, not far from the Sumner house. The streetlights didn’t reach there, shrouding the car in shadows–perfect for going unnoticed.

Truth was, he’d been waiting there for over an hour, just to make sure Edith made it home safe.

When he’d seen Beckett’s car drop her off, Justin had felt a pang of disappointment. He never imagined things would turn out like this.

That bastard Beckett–what kind of monster does this?

After stowing the painting in the back seat, Justin carefully lifted Edith and settled her into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt with deliberate care.

As Edith looked down, she caught sight of Justin’s thick, dark hair, close enough to brush against her chest. Even the strands seemed to carry a faint, woodsy scent–something cool and calming.

With his face so close, Edith’s breath quickened. Instinctively, she wanted to reach out and hold him there, but she bit down hard, forcing herself to

1/3

16:57

Chapter 86

resist.

When Justin finished buckling her in, he noticed something was wrong. Edith’s eyes were squeezed shut, her jaw clenched tight–pain etched across her face.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

Edith didn’t open her eyes. She just shook her head, forcing out, “I’m fine.”

Justin didn’t believe her but knew not to push. Gently closing her door, he circled to the other side and got in behind the wheel.

Once the doors were shut, the car filled with a heavy silence. Only the low hum of the AC and Edith’s uneven, ragged breaths broke the stillness.

Something about those breaths—they didn’t sound right. There was a heat to them, a desperation that made Justin’s stomach twist.

He finally realized what was happening. His hands clenched the steering wheel, rage flickering in his eyes.

His voice trembled with fury as he spoke. “That bastard drugged you, didn’t he?”

Edith cracked open her eyes, letting in a thin shaft of light. The strange heat inside her was burning hotter by the second. Her cheeks were flushed, and she managed a tiny nod.

Justin’s fist slammed into the steering wheel. If keeping Edith safe wasn’t his first priority, he’d already be chasing Beckett down.

He wanted to kill him. He wanted to tear him apart for even daring to do this.

He knew Beckett was a monster, but this–this was lower than low.

“I’m taking you to the hospital. Now.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify