?Chapter 1442:


    The hours dragged. Tasha warmed a heating pad andid it across Ste’s stomach, then tucked a hot water bottle under the nket. She sat beside her quietly, watching over her like a silent guard.


    As a mother herself, seeing Ste like this made her chest tighten. It was painful just to watch.


    Late at night, Tasha was fighting off sleep, slumped in a chair by Ste’s bed.


    She’d nodded off for a moment when a gentle pat on her back snapped her awake.


    She whipped her head around and found William standing right there.


    Her eyes went wide, mouth already opening, but he pressed a finger to his lips and nodded toward the door.


    Ste was out cold, so Tasha slipped out of the room as quietly as she could and followed him to the living room.


    “Mr. Briggs, weren’t you supposed to be back the day after tomorrow?”


    His suitcase still sat by the entrance, and he hadn’t even taken off his long ck coat. He’d clearlye straight from the airport to check on Ste.


    He grabbed the handle and headed upstairs without making a sound. “Things finished up early, so I caught an earlier flight.”


    Tasha didn’t push it. Instead, she offered, “Have you eaten? I can whip something up quick.”


    William stowed his luggage, changed into sweats, and came back down. “How’s she doing?”


    Tasha let out a worried sigh. “She’s hurting bad. Painkillers barely touched it. She finally passed outtest night. I tried to get her to eat more, but she only managed a couple of bites before throwing up. After that, she wouldn’t touch anything.”


    William’s face tightened. “Why didn’t you call Dr. Vance?”


    Fresh chapters live g?lnσνe?s?c?m


    “I suggested it, but Ms. Russell said no.”


    Tasha got it. Period cramps were private, and Dr. Vance was a guy. Most young women would rather tough it out than deal with that awkwardness.


    William rubbed his temple, feeling the start of a headache. After a beat, he nodded. “Fine. I get it. Go get some sleep. I’ll sit with her.”


    Tasha’s face brightened. “You’re staying with her tonight?”


    He shot her a look that said enough.


    She mped her mouth shut, cheeks flushing, and hurried off to her room.


    Inside Ste’s bedroom, only a smallmp glowed. William stepped in and saw beads of cold sweat on her forehead. His chest tightened. He ducked into the bathroom, ran a towel under warm water, and came back to wipe her face carefully.


    He hadn’t told the full truth about rushing home. Sure, the meetings had wrapped up, but he was supposed to stay for a key dinner the next day to hash out details.


    Then Tasha mentioned Ste’s cramps were brutal, that she was popping painkillers like candy. The news gnawed at him until he couldn’t sit still.


    He’d grabbed the red-eye flight and left Luca to clean up the rest.


    Even Jewell had teased him—why the rush? To watch her suffer, or because he actually cared?


    .


    .


    .