Chapter 1789:


    Alban couldn’t help himself. “Mr. Jones, I had no intention of harming your sister. No need to make threats over a conversation.”


    “Stay away from her.” Bain’s voice dropped to something cold and precise. “I mean that.”


    “Goodbye,” Alban said pleasantly, and ended the call.


    He knew Bain well enough to know that the man was still seething on the other end — possibly more so for having been hung up on.


    “I should take you back soon,” Alban said, ncing at the limited-edition watch on his wrist. “If I don’t, he’ll be through my door in under five minutes.”


    “The hospital,” Christina said simply.


    “Of course,” Alban agreed, already thinking ahead.


    Returning Christina to the hospital suited him perfectly. It gave him a natural reason to pass through the ward, which meant a possible chance to see Gillian and Adide. He had decided, for now, to set aside the question of getting unblocked or added to her contacts. The smarter move was to build goodwill first — to be present, consistent, and patient. Once he had established enough of a foundation, staying in contact with Christina would be considerably easier, and everything else could follow from there.


    The car hadn’t fully stopped in the hospital parking area before Alban spotted Bain.


    He was already there, moving toward them with long, purposeful strides the moment the vehicle pulled in. His expression was hard and unreadable, his eyes carrying that particr chill — sharp and precise — that made him look less like a man about to have a conversation and more like someone who had arrived to finish one.


    “Your brother is quite protective of you,” Alban remarked, without particr weight behind it.


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    Christina didn’t answer. She pushed the door open and stepped out of the car without a word.


    Her family loved her deeply, and she loved them the same way. There was nothing more to say about it.


    “Bonnie.” Bain caught her by the shoulders the moment she was within reach, his eyes moving over her quickly, checking. The crease in his forehead didn’t ease until he was satisfied she was unharmed.


    “I’m perfectly fine,” Christina said, with a smallugh that was more reassurance than amusement.


    Bain exhaled quietly. “Good.” Then his gaze moved past her to Alban, and whatever warmth had been there disappeared.


    “Stop looking at me like that,” Alban said, lifting an eyebrow. “I didn’t abduct her.”


    “Let’s go,” Bain said, taking Christina’s hand and turning away.


    Alban followed them without hesitation or invitation.


    By the time they reached the elevator, Bain’s patience had run its course. He turned around, his expression hard.


    “If you keep following us, don’t expect me to remain civil,” he said, his voice dropping to something with a clear edge.


    “This isn’t your hospital,” Alban replied, a slight, unhurried smile on his face. “I’ll go where I choose.”


    “Bain,” Christina said quietly, and gave his hand a small, deliberate squeeze, apanied by a gentle shake of her head.


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