Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
Howard couldn’t believe what was happening. Just as he was about to reply to Samuel, there was a commotion at the hotel room door. Someone shouted, “Don’t move! Armed police officers!” A few cops rushed in and seized hold of Howard, one of them still holding a gun. Howard had never seen such a scene. He was furious, but because of his position, he couldn’t vent his feelings. He glared at Samuel and Natalie and, through gritted teeth, said, “Just wait. You haven’t heard the last of this.”
Samuel couldn’t tell that the person Howard was really addressing was Bryce. Not long after Howard was taken away by the police, Samuel saw that Natalie’s eyes were still drowsy with confusion. He couldn’t help but suspect that she was drugged, and he decided to carry her downstairs, as she couldn’t stand up by herself. When he picked her up, he noticed that Natalie, who was as limp as a rag doll in his arms, had a very high temperature. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be asleep. He wanted to comfort her and wake her up, but he was worried that under the influence of the drug, she wouldn’t recognize him and would be disoriented and afraid.
He carried her to Bryce’s side as fast as he could. Seeing her condition, Bryce realized how serious things were. He immediately ordered, “Samuel, go get my car. We need to get her to the hospital.”
Samuel resented being spoken to as if he were a lackey, but he also knew that now was not the time for delay. He still hesitated, wondering if Bryce was thinking clearly. He started to say, “Bryce, do you—” but Bryce glared at him coldly and asked, “Well, are you going to get the car or not?”
Samuel said meekly, “Yes, I’ll go now.” Although he had a good relationship with Bryce, he knew what the consequences would be if Bryce got truly angry with him. They all got into the car, and he drove to the hospital without delay.
Along the way, Natalie became restless. She felt as if there was a flame burning inside her body, heating her up to such a degree that she was losing her mind and didn’t know what she was doing. The only thing that was clear to her was that she was very hot right now. She really wanted to find a way to vent her feelings. Her hands reached out almost subconsciously to Bryce’s cool skin, her fingers dragging at his clothes.
Bryce’s expression became even darker. He said in a low, hoarse voice, “Natalie, please stop that.” But Natalie was hardly conscious. Everything she did was purely out of instinct. She wriggled around randomly, which made Bryce feel even angrier. His eyes dimmed as he tried to suppress his anger. He held her hands tightly but was unable to control her wriggling and twisting due to the effects of the drug. Her face was flushed, and her body was covered in sweat. At times, she would tightly clench her lips, as if she was doing her best to resist some impulse.
Bryce watched her struggle, pity for her suddenly flooding through him for some reason he didn’t really understand. He abruptly lowered his head and kissed her gently on the lips. Natalie immediately stilled her movements. She looked at Bryce’s face, right close to hers, and her eyes widened, full of confusion.
Samuel, who had been watching them in the rearview mirror, almost swerved the car when he saw Bryce’s actions. Samuel thought, my God, Bryce actually kissed a woman of his own volition. He knew that Bryce had a serious obsession with cleanliness. He was normally angered if anyone so much as touched him, let alone kissed him.
Bryce leaned back from Natalie after breaking the kiss. He still wanted to comfort her, but in the end, he suppressed the impulse. Samuel said, “Bryce, are you feeling okay?”
Bryce’s expression tensed, and he said in a warning voice, “Samuel, just shut up and drive the car. And put your foot down.”
Samuel floored the pedal and sped through the night. At the same time, he felt bitter somehow, wondering how Vivian would have reacted if she had witnessed this scene or found out about it. He wondered if he should tell her the truth about what had happened here. Should he encourage her to give up her hopes about Bryce so that she wouldn’t suffer any more in the future? He wasn’t sure what was the right thing to do.
Not long after this, the car pulled up at the private hospital used by the Claire family. Bryce hurriedly took Natalie to the emergency room. He knew a little about medicine, and he was worried that she might suffer permanent damage if her fever wasn’t taken care of quickly. He wanted the drug she had ingested cleansed from her body as soon as possible.
The doctor in the emergency room recognized Bryce. He looked with surprise at Bryce’s disordered clothes and the disheveled woman in his arms. Before the doctor could say anything, Bryce had laid Natalie down on the examining table. Bryce shouted, “Come on, cut the crap and hurry up. And be damned careful how you treat her.”
The blazing urgency in Bryce’s eyes made the doctor shudder. The doctor lowered his head and said, “Yes, Mr. Claire, we’ll begin right away.” He told the nurses to prepare the necessary equipment. He frowned nervously, knowing that the reputation of the hospital was dependent on satisfying Bryce’s demands.
Bryce waited outside while the doctors worked on Natalie. He didn’t realize it, but his face was haggard with worry. Samuel waited anxiously alongside him. He could feel Bryce’s concern for Natalie emanating from him. He looked closely at Bryce, whose normally composed and handsome features were gray with worry. There were dark circles under his eyes, and the eyes themselves looked sore and red. Bryce’s clothes were awry, and he was pacing to and fro, stealing glances at the ward where Natalie was admitted. Will Natalie be all right, or will more anguish await her?