<b>hapter 122 </b>


    Reba’s POV


    :


    ??))


    41


    The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in my hospital room. The private suite was tastefully decorated, with warm–toned walls and furniture. I could see a sliver of night sky through the partially drawn curtains, the distant city lights twinkling like artificial stars against the darkness—a teasing glimpse of the world continuing without me.


    My head throbbed with a dull, persistent ache. The doctor had exined something about a mild concussion and contusions, but the medical terminology had blurred together in my foggy brain. All I knew was that Elizabeth had attacked me, and then… darkness.


    I shifted slightly, wincing at the pain that shot through my ribs. The nurse had mentioned bruising there too, from my fall down the stairs. The memory came in fragments – Elizabeth’s face contorted with rage, her eyes glowing that unnatural amber, the sensation of falling backward.


    A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. A nurse poked her head in.


    “Ms. Brown, you have a visitor. Mr. Sterling is here.”


    My heart monitor betrayed me, the beeping increasing noticeably. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I tried to smooth my tangled hair with trembling fingers. The nurse smiled knowingly before stepping aside.


    Dominic appeared in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space. He looked exhausted, the shadows under his eyes pronounced against his pale skin. In his hands was a bouquet of white lilies, their fragrance reaching me even across the room. But what struck me most was his expression – the hardness in his eyes softened as they found mine, his typically controlled features rxing with unmistakable relief.


    “Sir, Dr. Winters is stillpleting her assessment. Perhaps you could wait-” A man in scrubs tried to intervene.


    Dominic’s eyes never left mine as he responded, his voice low and dangerous. “Are you suggesting Sterling Group doesn’t care about the health and safety of its employees?” The words were measured, but the underlying current of authority made the air in the room feel suddenly heavy.


    –


    The hospital staff exchanged nces, clearly intimidated. A woman in a white coat Dr. Winters, I assumed – stepped forward.


    “It’s alright. Mr. Sterling cane in, but please keep the visit brief. Ms. Brown needs rest.”


    –


    Dominic’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He nced at it briefly I caught the word “Mother” on the screen – before silencing it and pushing past the staff to enter my room.


    The door closed behind him, and we were alone. The steady sound of his footsteps approached my bed, and then <b>his </b>warm hand enveloped mine. His fingers were slightly rough against my skin, strong yet incredibly gentle as they wrapped around my smaller hand. To my surprise, he lifted it to his lips, pressing a tender kiss against my knuckles,


    <b>20:39 </b>Wed, <b>Sep </b><b>24 </b>


    his eyes closing briefly as if savoring the contact.


    ??)


    “You scared me, little doe,‘ he murmured, his voice rougher than usual, emotion making it deeper. “Please don’t do


    that again.”


    I tried to smile, ignoring the twinge of pain it caused. “Dominic, why do you look so worried? It takes more than a fall down some stairs to get rid of me.” The attempted lightness in my tone couldn’t mask how touched I was by his


    concern.


    His eyes were bloodshot, I noticed now. The realization that he’d likely spent the night awake, worried about me, made my chest tighten with a warmth I couldn’t quite name.


    “Elizabeth,” I said suddenly, fear spiking through me. “What if shees back? What if-”


    “She won’t,” Dominic interrupted, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. A rare smile of satisfaction crossed his face, transforming his tired features. “She’s received her punishment.”


    “Punishment?”


    He sat carefully on the edge of my bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. He continued holding my hand, his fingers asionally tightening as if reassuring himself I was really there.


    “I yed the security footage of her attacking you at the charity g. In front of everyone.” His voice held quiet triumph, his blue eyes gleaming with vindication.


    My eyes widened. “You didn’t.”


    “I did.” His smile grew sharper, his satisfaction palpable in the air between us. “The entire Silver Moon Shadow pack watched as Elizabeth Collins, with her ws extended and eyes glowing, attacked an unarmed human woman.”


    I shouldn’t have felt pleased. It was petty and vindictive and probably not how mature adults handled conflict. But the knowledge that he had publicly defended me, had made Elizabeth face consequences for her actions, filled me with a warm glow of security.


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