13:44
Chapter 247
“No, officer, it’s not what you think. Miss Griffiths is our employer’s ex–wife. She wasn’t feeling well, so he brought her to the hospital for a check–up, that’s all, the head bodyguard explained hastily.
“If you have anything else to say, you can do it down at the station,” the officer replied, his tone stern.
Ablett, dressed in plainclothes, brushed past the bodyguards blocking the doorway and pushed open the hospital room door.
Blanche, lying in bed, looked up in alarm when she heard the door open. But as soon as she saw Ablett’s calm expression, her panic faded. The next moment, he was at her side, pulling her into his arms.
Eddy stood outside in the hallway, watching through the open door as Blanche curled into Ablett’s embrace. He felt as if he’d been transported back years, to the time when she’d come running to him for comfort, tears streaming down her face after some fright. Now, she was doing the same with someone else.
His heart ached so badly, he thought it might kill him.
It was as if he’d driven Laney, the woman who once loved him, away with his own hands.
Once the door was closed, Blanche clung to Ablett for a long minute before finally regaining her composure.
She tried to pull the blanket over her injured hand, hiding the blood–stained bandages, but Ablett caught her wrist.
“What happened?” he asked quietly.
Ablett carefully unwrapped the bandage from her small hand. The angry, red wounds stood out stark against her pale skin, making his expression tighten. He gently rewrapped her hand with fresh gauze.
“He took me away and forced me to undergo a medical exam,” Blanche whispered.
“He was worried about your–health, but went about it the wrong way?” Ablett <ed, choosing his words with care, as if afraid of frightening her.
Blanche shook her head, pain clouding her eyes. “He doesn’t care about me. It’s just his selfish need to control me.”
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Ablett’s large hand rested on her back, stroking soothingly. “Did he do anything else to you?”
She still carried the faint scent of Eddy’s cologne–like cedar and cold smoke.
He’d held her.
Blanche shook her head. “Can we not talk about him, please?”
Ablett’s hand paused on her back. How could he pretend it didn’t matter, when it was all he could think about?
She was the woman he wanted to spend his life with. Yet to her, he was just a considerate boss.
“Where’s the report from the exam? Is it with the doctor outside?” he asked, forcing himself back to business.
“I think so.” Blanche tried to recall. “Director–General, Dr. Smith and Mrs. Smith helped me earlier. They’re good people.”
Ablett’s voice sounded almost careless. “In your eyes, isn’t everyone a good person?”
Blanche glanced up, sensing a flicker of annoyance in his expression. Was the Director–General angry?
But his face was as calm and composed as ever, betraying nothing.
“I’d like to go home now,” she said, swinging her legs out of bed.
“Have Janet come in and help you bathe and change,” Ablett said abruptly. “Be careful with
your hand.”
Blanche suddenly became aware of how disheveled she must look. He was probably worried about how to explain her condition to the McCarthy family. She nodded her agreement.
Janet came in and helped Blanche to the en suite bathroom.
Ablett settled himself on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the frosted glass door. “Bring me the report.”
His secretary understood at once and hurried off to find Dr. Smith, returning shortly with the paperwork.
Ablett sat quietly, reading through each page.
Fertility: zero.
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Cardiac function; at its limit.
PTSD: relapse.
The sun was setting outside.
Blanche emerged in a fresh dress, her long legs sheathed in soft stockings, feet tucked into comfortable shoes that made it impossible to tell she’d been hurt. She smiled at Janet. “Thank you.”
Janet glanced toward Ablett. “Miss, the master picked everything out for you.”
Blanche looked over and saw Ablett’s grave expression, his brow furrowed as he pored over her report. Curious, she leaned closer. “What does it say?”
