Chapter 16 It's Reyes
1581 Words
Elara's POV
My back stiffened the moment my eyes met Mr. Bryes’s.
For some reason, his gaze had grown even colder than before. The faint amusement that had been lingering in his gray eyes earlier had disappeared completely, replaced with something sharp and probing.
The way he looked at me now made my stomach twist with unease.
For a brief moment, the tension between us thickened again, heavy enough to suffocate the air around our table.
Ice seemed to settle over my chest.
I opened my mouth, ready to explain the situation.
He had seen my kids at the airport before. Surely he would understand what was happening. If he knew my son had been rushed to the hospital, he would stop this strange interrogation of his.
At least… that was what I hoped.
But the moment I parted my lips, Jayden’s voice cut through the silence like a blade.
“Is he your husband?”
I froze.
The question struck me so suddenly that my mind blanked for a second.
Jayden leaned back slightly in his chair, a taunting smirk tugging faintly at the corner of his lips.
“Is that why you changed your surname?” he continued lazily. “Because you got married?”
“What the...”
My words died in my throat.
My husband?
My last name?
Was that really what he was still stuck on?
What did my surname; or some imaginary husband, have to do with the fact that my son was currently in a hospital bed?
More importantly…
Why was this man so concerned with my personal life?
I had only met him twice.
Once at the airport.
And now here.
Yet somehow he was speaking as if my private life was his business to investigate.
My jaw tightened.
I forced myself to take a steady breath, trying to hold back the irritation rising in my chest.
Jayden watched me silently, his eyes narrowing slightly as if studying every reaction on my face.
Then he casually leaned back and dropped the proposal folder onto the table.
“You’re hiding something, Ms. Ashford.”
My patience snapped.
“It’s Reyes,” I corrected immediately, unable to stop the sharp edge in my voice. “Ms. Elara Reyes. Please try not to mistake it in the future.”
There wouldn’t be a future.
Not after this meeting.
Even if the company begged me to return, there was no way I would willingly sit across from this man again.
Jayden tilted his head slightly.
For a moment, it almost looked like he hadn’t even heard my correction.
Instead, he continued speaking as if nothing had happened.
“Your boyfriend then?” he asked calmly.
His lips curved faintly.
“Baby? Darling?”
What the hell was this bastard talking about?
The casual way he spoke... as though he owned the right to question every part of my life... made my blood boil.
And the fact that my son was currently lying in a hospital bed only made my temper worse.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” I said, standing up abruptly.
The chair scraped softly against the floor.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a few nearby diners glance in our direction.
I didn’t care.
“You’ll be discussing business with another company representative from now on,” I continued coldly. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Forget the first impression.
Forget the contract.
I was done.
If Mr. Bryes still wanted to work with the company... and that was a very big if, judging by the countless rumors about his personality, then someone else could deal with him.
I grabbed my bag and turned without waiting for his response.
As I walked away, I could practically feel his eyes on my back.
But I didn’t turn around.
...
The hospital doors slid open with a quiet hiss as I rushed inside.
My heart was pounding so violently against my ribs that it felt like it might burst out of my chest.
Jake’s voice still echoed in my head from the phone call.
'Accident, hospital…'
The words had been rushed and panicked.
I hadn’t even waited to ask for proper details before leaving the restaurant.
All I could think about was getting here as quickly as possible.
Please…
Please let him be okay.
My eyes darted across the busy hospital lobby as I hurried toward the front desk.
But before I could reach it, a doctor in a white coat walked past me.
“Doctor!”
I grabbed his sleeve instinctively.
The man paused, turning toward me with mild surprise.
“Please,” I said breathlessly. “My son… he was brought here earlier. How is he? What happened to him?”
The doctor’s expression softened slightly, as though this was far from the first time a frantic parent had stopped him in the hallway.
“Calm down, ma’am,” he said gently. “Your son will be alright.”
Relief and anxiety collided violently in my chest.
He will be alright.
Meaning something had happened.
“What happened to him?” I pressed.
But the doctor simply gave me a polite smile before gently pulling his sleeve free.
“I think your family member will be able to explain things better,” he said. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Family member?
Before I could question him further, he was already walking away down the corridor.
I stood there for a moment, confusion swirling in my mind.
Family member?
What did that even mean?
My eyes scanned the hallway anxiously, and then I spotted a familiar figure stepping around the corner.
“Elara!”
Helene hurried toward me the moment she saw me.
I met her halfway.
“Helene, what happened to my son?” I asked rapidly. “Why is he in the hospital? Which room is he in? Is he okay?”
The questions spilled out of me in one breath.
My hands were trembling.
Helene placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
“Relax, Elara,” she said softly. “Everything is fine now.”
Fine?
My chest tightened.
“What happened?” I asked again.
Helene sighed lightly.
“The kids were playing a game,” she explained without meeting my gaze. “Leo tried to grab something, but he slipped and hit his head.”
A gasp escaped my lips.
“My goodness…”
“He’s alright,” she quickly added. “The doctor said it’s just a mild concussion.”
Concussion.
The word made my stomach twist.
That must have hurt.
Leo wasn’t the type to get involved in rough games.
If Jake had been the one injured, I might have believed it instantly.
But Leo?
He was always the careful one.
Still, I pushed those thoughts aside.
Right now, all that mattered was seeing him.
Helene led me down the hallway and stopped in front of a room.
“This one.”
Without waiting another second, I pushed the door open.
My eyes immediately found him.
“Leo…”
He was lying on a hospital bed, a white bandage wrapped around his head.
My chest tightened painfully at the sight.
His face was turned toward the other side of the room, as though he had been listening to someone.
Slowly, I stepped closer.
“Leo…”
He turned his head the moment he heard my voice.
His eyes brightened instantly.
“Mummy…”
The quiet word nearly shattered my heart.
I crossed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around him carefully, making sure not to press against his injured head.
“It’s okay,” I murmured softly.
Only then did I notice Jake standing beside the bed.
The moment our eyes met, he quickly looked away.
Guilt was written all over his face.
He stared down at the floor like a child waiting for punishment.
I pressed my lips together before gently pulling back from Leo.
“How did this happen?” I asked Jake quietly.
He opened his mouth, as though preparing to explain.
But I shook my head before he could speak.
“You know what,” I said softly. “You can tell me later.”
Right now wasn’t the time.
I turned back to Leo, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
“I’m just glad you’re both okay.”
Jake stayed silent.
Which was unusual for him.
But I could deal with that later.
I walked over and pulled him into a hug as well.
“It’s alright,” I murmured.
Whatever had happened, they were both safe.
That was enough for now.
We sat quietly for a few minutes.
Then Leo tugged lightly on my sleeve.
“What is it, darling?” I asked.
He pointed at the empty bottle beside the bed.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Okay,” I said gently, standing up. “I’ll go get you some water.”
I picked up the bottle and turned toward Jake.
“Stay with your brother.”
He nodded silently.
I stepped out into the hallway.
But after only a few steps, I collided with something... or rather, someone.
The impact made me stumble slightly.
“Oh...I’m so sorry,” I said immediately, steadying myself.
The person I had bumped into was wearing a hospital patient gown.
He turned toward me.
And then his eyes widened slightly in recognition. “You.”
My eyes narrowed. Did he know me?
- Writer
