MARRY ME
1094 Words
The minutes dragged on, each one stretching longer than the last. Brad's impatience gnawed at him as he glanced repeatedly at the clock, his mind replaying the chaotic events of the night. His fingers twitched, craving something to do, but nothing could distract him from the nagging fear clawing at his chest.
Finally, the door to the waiting area creaked open, and a tall, stern-faced doctor stepped inside. His white coat swayed slightly with his brisk movements as he scanned the room, his gaze landing on Brad.
“Young Master Brad?” the doctor called.
Brad jumped to his feet, his heart racing. "How is she?"
The doctor’s expression softened, but only slightly. "Miss Claire is stable for now, but she’s not out of danger yet. The injuries she sustained are serious. She has a very high fever, and we’re monitoring her closely."
Brad felt a wave of relief mixed with the heavyweight settling in his chest. She was stable. “I want to see her.”
The doctor nodded. “You can. But only for a few minutes. She's still unconscious, but she should be awake by morning.”
Brad didn't hesitate. He followed the doctor inside the room. The door opened to reveal Claire, pale and unconscious, connected to several machines that beeped and hummed with a rhythmic persistence.
He stepped inside, his eyes locking on her fragile form. A lump formed in his throat, and he fought the urge to swallow it down. It wasn't the first time he had seen Claire in this state, but she looked worse now.
The doctor paused in the doorway. "I'll leave you alone for a few minutes. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."
Brad nodded absently, his gaze never leaving Claire's face. As the doctor exited, Brad pulled a chair closer to her bedside, settling into it with a heavy sigh. The events of the night played over and over in his head. He still dreaded his dream.
Exhaustion weighed on him. He wanted to go home, but he couldn't leave Claire. Then, he noticed a bed at the other end of the room. Reluctantly, he stood up and made his way toward it. He lay down, his body sinking into the mattress, and sleep overtook him almost instantly.
It was already 1 AM when Sebastian entered the room. His steps were silent, but his gaze was sharp as he took in Claire’s fragile form. His eyes trailed over the bandages on her body, her pale face, and dry lips. There were red circles around her eyes, a sign that she had cried for a long time. His mind drifted to the cheerful girl in her w******p profile picture. She looked nothing like that now.
He reached out, brushing a strand of her hair from her forehead, his fingers trembling slightly. If they were allies, then she needed him at this moment, he thought to himself. Determined, he pulled out his phone and made a call, his voice low but urgent. The person on the other end seemed groggy from sleep but quickly came to attention. After a brief exchange, Sebastian ended the call and left the room as silently as he had come.
***
The next morning, Olivia arrived at the private hospital room with Cecelia. The drive had only been fifteen minutes from the manor, but Cecelia had spent the entire time gushing about her recent trip. Olivia had listened with feigned interest, nodding at the appropriate moments while her mind remained elsewhere.
As they entered the room, Olivia's sharp gaze fell on Brad, who was still asleep in the small bed across from Claire. His face was drawn with exhaustion, his body curled slightly as though he had spent the night in restless sleep.
Cecelia, oblivious to the tension in the room, walked over to Claire’s bedside. "She looks terrible," she muttered,
"Wake up soon, Claire," Cecelia murmured, her tone unreadable.
Brad stirred at the sound of voices. His eyes fluttered open, and for a brief moment, confusion clouded his gaze. Then, as his mind cleared, he sat up abruptly, his eyes locking onto Olivia's.
He straightened, brushing a hand through his disheveled hair before his gaze landed on Cecelia.
“What are you doing here?” Brad’s voice was hoarse from sleep.
Olivia met his gaze with a cool, measured look. “Checking on Claire, of course. Didn’t you nearly burn the house down last night running up and down? You look awful. Didn’t you go home at all?”
Brad ignored the jab, his focus shifting back to Claire. He wasn’t interested in Olivia’s words—he was wary of her. Had she come out of concern for Claire? Or was there another reason?
His jaw tightened. “Mum, I’m not going to let you hurt Claire.” He stood, his stance firm. “You should leave.”
Cecelia’s sharp voice cut through the tension. “Brad, don’t talk to Mum like that! She’s doing all this for Claire’s good. Heaven only knows what Claire did to end up in this mess.”
Brad clenched his fists. He knew exactly what had happened, but this wasn’t the place to say it. Not here, with doctors and nurses moving around, tending to Claire.
Olivia remained composed, her expression unreadable. The world wasn’t ready to know she wasn’t Claire’s real mother. If the media caught wind of it, questions would arise. Suspicions would grow. And that was the last thing she wanted.
***
The first thing Claire saw when she opened her eyes was a pair of piercing blue eyes, a gaze so intense it felt like it could see through her soul. The man’s expression was unreadable.
There was another man in the room—similar to the first, but with a more relaxed, almost amused expression.
Claire’s mind struggled to catch up. Those eyes. She recognized them anywhere. But what was he doing here? And where was she?
It took her a moment to register the unfamiliar surroundings, the stark white walls, the faint beeping of machines.
“Where am I?” she managed to croak.
“The hospital,” the man responded immediately.
His voice sent a chill down her spine.
Sebastian.
Her heartbeat picked up as fragments of the past night flashed in her mind.
Sebastian stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “Claire, you’re in danger.”
She swallowed hard, confusion clouding her mind. “What…?”
He crouched beside her, lowering his voice. “Marry me.”
Claire’s breath hitched. “What?”
- Writer
