"Juniper, how''s Celine?" Warren rushed forward, his gaze trembling, his eyes filled with a lost, desperate hope.
"She''s asleep." Juniper lifted her gaze, her lips pressed into a thin line. “The procedure was a sess. As for any side effects..."
"As long as she''s okay," Warren whispered, cutting her off. He seemed to be in a daze, his voice slow and distant. “Her health is more important than anything.”
Juniper stared at him. The man''s face was calm, but the fist clenched at his side betrayed the storm of emotions within him: panic, despair, agony.
"Thank you for everything," Warren managed, forcing a faint smile. "You should get some rest."
With that, he nced at the sleeping Celine for a few seconds before turning and walking away, looking utterly bereft.
He passed Shanley, who was justing in, their shoulders brushing.
“Is your brother-inw alright?” Shanley asked, quickening his pace to reach Juniper as he watched Warren''s dazed retreat.
Juniper tore her eyes away from Warren''s retreating figure and leaned wearily into Shanley''s arms. “I did my best,” she murmured, her voice light andzy with exhaustion. “I really did."
During the final, critical stage of the treatment, she had spent ten grueling hours without food or water, all to prevent any potential side effects. As for the result...
"I know." Shanley wrapped his arm around her waist, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "At least she''s safe. We can deal with the rest one step at a time," he soothed.
From what he''d seen, Warren seemed resourceful enough. Winning his wife back should be a piece of cake.
"I''m so tired," Juniper mumbled, pressing her face against his chest.
"Okay."
Shanley bent down and gently lifted her into his arms, carrying her back to the bedroom. Heid her down and was about to pull away to get her something when she suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Where are you going?"
Shanley turned back to find her staring at him, her eyes bloodshot.
"I was just going to get you something to eat," he exined patiently, leaning down to stroke her hair.
Ten hours without food or water, on top of performing aplex medical procedure... Did she really think she was made of iron?
"Don''t want to eat." Juniper frowned, pulling him forcefully onto the bed beside her and snuggling into his arms.
"Just sleep with me," shemanded, her tone surprisingly bossy, like a mobster giving orders.
"Alright."
Seeing how exhausted she was, Shanley didn''t move again. He gently patted her back, his palm moving in a slow, steady rhythm.
Within seconds, Juniper''s breathing evened out, and she fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke again, five hours had passed.
"Your sister is awake," Shanley murmured, propping himself up on his hands above
her. "The others are waiting for you outside."
Awake? Juniper immediately scrambled out of bed, asking as she threw on her clothes, "Are there any side effects? And where''s Warren?"
"She''s still in her room. No one dared to go in without your permission Shanley stilled her fumbling hands and carefully straightened her clothes for her As for Warren he not here."
Perhaps he couldn''t muster the courage to face her and was hiding somewhere.
"Tsk." A smirk yed on Juniper''s
lips, a hint of wickedness in her
eyes With that little courage hav?, no idea how he ever became the Lord of Liberty Ind."
Shanley looked-up, a faint smile gracing his handsome, aristocratic face, but he didn''tment. He was
hardly one to judge Warren.
something had happened to Juniper, he''d probably be even more of a coward.
Once she was dressed, Juniper crossed the living room and headed for the treatment room.
Jimmie and the others saw her and quickly followed, their nerves stretched taut. No one dared to ask any questions.
"Creak-"
The door to the treatment room opened. Celine, who had been sitting on the bed in
a daze, slowly turned her head.