Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN’T LOOK AWAY
Adrian rolled toward the door and yanked it open.
The hallway was empty.
Grace stepped out behind him.
“Someone was there.”
“I know.”
“You think it was your brother?”
“I don’t know.”
But Adrian was lying.
He had already started thinking the impossible.
Marcus had been managing more of Cole Enterprises since the crash.
Marcus approved medical expenses.
Marcus communicated with Dr. Hayes.
Marcus picked up prescriptions.
And Marcus had seemed almost disappointed when Adrian mentioned business expansion.
Adrian turned toward Grace.
“Give me the bottle.”
She handed it over.
“Forget this conversation.”
Grace crossed her arms.
“No.”
Adrian stared at her.
“No?”
“If someone is messing with your medication, pretending it didn’t happen seems like a bad plan.”
“You work for me.”
“Yes.”
“Then do what I said.”
Grace’s expression remained calm.
“You hired me because Mrs. Dalton retired, not because I promised to be stupid.”
Adrian almost laughed.
Instead, he said, “You’re very close to being fired.”
“Probably.”
She started walking away.
Then turned around.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“You moved your foot, didn’t you?”
Adrian’s face went still.
Grace nodded toward his wheelchair.
“When I came in last night, you were looking at your legs like they had just spoken.”
He said nothing.
Grace lowered her voice.
“My mother was told she’d never use her left hand again after a stroke.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“This is different.”
“Maybe.”
“She recovered?”
“Enough to slap me when I got smart with her.”
That pulled a short laugh out of him.
It surprised both of them.
Grace smiled slightly.
Then her expression became serious.
“Get a second opinion.”
Adrian looked down.
Hope felt dangerous.
He had learned that the hard way.
That afternoon, Vanessa arrived from Boston.
She swept into the mansion wearing a cream coat and carrying shopping bags.
“Adrian.”
She kissed his cheek.
“I missed you.”
He watched her carefully.
“You were gone four days.”
“Four terrible days.”
She smiled.
“Come upstairs. I bought you something.”
“I need to ask you about Dr. Hayes.”
The smile disappeared for half a second.
“What about him?”
“My medication.”
“What about it?”
“Did you know the dosage changed?”
Vanessa blinked.
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Of course.”
Adrian studied her.
She stepped closer.
“Why are you suddenly suspicious?”
“I’m asking questions.”
“You’ve been depressed for months. I don’t want you getting paranoid too.”
Paranoid.
The word landed strangely.
Adrian leaned back.
“Who said I was paranoid?”
Vanessa exhaled.
“Adrian, please.”
Her phone buzzed.
She checked the screen.
Then immediately turned it facedown.
Adrian noticed.
“Who is it?”
“Nobody.”
“Then answer it.”
She smiled too quickly.
“I’m here to see you.”
Vanessa walked toward the bar.
Adrian waited until she turned her back.
Then he looked at her phone.
A message preview was still visible.
Three words.
May you like
From Marcus.
DID HE NOTICE?
