Chapter 17
Courtney tightly clutched Hayden’s coat, her body tense and trembling. She didn’t want to see Austin–not even a glance.
Seeing Courtney was shaking, Hayden shot a cold, sharp look at Austin before taking off his coat and draping it over her shoulders. “Let’s go he said firmly.
“Courtney! Who is he?” Austin approached, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Hayden.
Austin didn’t care about Courtney’s limping, injured leg; instead, he was questioning her about the man who made him feel a sense of insecurity “Who are your
are you?* Hayden asked nonchalantly,
His height made him seem like he could completely shield Courtney, creating a sense of security that was almost indescribable.
Hayden stood at six–foot two, while Courtney was only five–foot–four–she was petite, delicate, and whenever she saw a man as tall as Hayden, she felt intimidated.
Though Austin wasn’t short at six feet, he still felt small and less imposing compared to Hayden.
“I’m her husband, Austin replied, furrowing his brow as he tried to take Courtney’s hand.
But Courtney would rather stay hidden in Hayden’s embrace than go with Austin.
Courtney was scared of Hayden, but compared to him, Austin now felt even more unfamiliar and frightening to her.
“Husband?” Hayden asked with a faint smile. “As far as I know, Mr. Gilbert, your wife is the daughter of this hospital’s director.”
Austin frowned, eyeing Hayden warily. “This doesn’t concern you. This is a personal matter between me and Courtney, and we’ll handle it.”
When Hayden didn’t react, Austin spoke again, his tone firm. “At least for now, she’s still my legal wife.
Austin had already consulted with a lawyer. In situations like theirs, unless Courtney agreed to a divorce, his second marriage would be invalid. That meant they were still a couple.
“Courtney, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken your phone earlier. But you have to understand… You’re on your own now. If this blows up, it won’t help your life,” Austin turned to Courtney.
“We can’t fight against them–they’ll come after you all together, and you’ll get nothing but misery. You’ll be driven crazy by the pressure: Austin, self–righteously, believed he was doing what was best for Courtney.
Because Courtney had no family left, no one to stand behind her and fight with her, Austin believed she would break under the pressure once the Lewis family all united against her.
Courtney tightly clung to Hayden’s jacket, her head lowered as her whole body trembled. What Austin said was true–she really was alone now. “Who said she’s all alone? Can’t you see I’m by her side? Hayden sneered, tightening his hold on Courtney” As for you, if you want to take Courtney, you’d better clean up your mess first, or you won’t have the right to say anything.”
A black SUV stopped by the side of the road, and Tyson stepped out, his face dark with suppressed anger.
“Courtney, get in the car,” Hayden said softly, urging her to get into Tyson’s vehicle first.
“Courtney…” Austin, anxious, stepped forward, trying to stop her. “Courtney, you just returned to the country–how do you even know these people! They’re clearly bad news, come home with mer
In Austin’s eyes, the murderous aura and hostility around Hayden and Tyson were unbearable.
Courtney ignored Austin, bowing her head in apology to Tyson.
Tyson opened the car door himself, his face grim as he looked at Hayden. “You get in too.
Hayden relaxed his clenched fist. He had planned to punch Austin before leaving, but since Tyson was here, it seemed he wouldn’t get the chance.
Therefore, Hayden grabbed Austin by the collar. “You’re lucky today, but next time, you won’t be so fortunate.”
He then shoved Austin away.
1/2
2/2
Chapter 17
Austin stumbled, barely staying on his feet, his face filled with rage as he glared at Hayden. “Courtney!”
Courtney didn’t turn around or look at Austin. She sat tensely in the car, almost pressed against the door, trying to stay as far away from Hayden as possible.
“You’re really heartless, Courtney…” Hayden sighed as he slouched back in the seat, frowning, his face pale. Clearly, he had been repressing the pain until now.
He took a deep breath and seemed to be in pain, clutching at his chest. Courtney instinctively glanced at him, but didn’t dare come any closer.
The corners of Hayden’s eyes reddened with pain, looking weakly at Courtney “Courtney, why are you sitting so far away from me? Am I really that scary?”
Courtney nodded slightly, agreeing that he was indeed intimidating,
Hayden sighed helplessly and then decided to play dead, lying down across Courtney’s lap.
Courney pushed him angrily, but his chest was soaked with blood, and she feared he might blame her if she pushed him too hard, so she stopped. Hayden smirked, his voice weak. “Courtney… if I die, just put my ashes in your h
house. Even as a ghost, I wouldn’t want to leave you…
Courtney shuddered, thinking this was Hayden’s retaliation. She tensed up, not daring to move.
Tyson shot Hayden a disgusted look. If you run away from the hospital again, we might as well go straight to the crematorium”
SEND GIFT
