Claim
Chapter 7
Amelia wasn’t abest to indulge Mandy. After shooting her a glare, s • turned to me, ber expression tense “Grace, what did you just say about a scandal?–
Before Fould respond, Gavin spoke up in a calm tone. “Mom, it’s just the paparazzi making things up I’ve already arranged for it to be dealt with” Hearing this, Anelia immediately understood the station. She glared at Govt better pulling out her phone
Suremagh, every mapiens outlet’s front page was plastered with headlines about Mandy Green’s donece announcement and accompanying scandal The featured photo
holding Mandy protectively in his arms.
Although the paparazzi had thoughtfully pixelated Gavin’s face, Caleb’s Erewas fully visible in the background. Anyone familiar with Gavin would immediately recognize his
assistant
Amelia slammed her mig onto the table, clearly furious. Her sharp paze landed on Mandy
“Gatni might nat understand the ins and outs of the entertainment world, but you certainly do Mandy firem, I’m warning yn Den’t even think about playing any tricks!”
“Mes Gould.”
“Stop! Our family isn’t enough to accommodate a superstar like you!
“Dear, what are you doing? Victor frowned, curly uncomfortable with Amelia’s burst and attempting to smooth things over.
Amelia, still fuming, shot him a glare. “Be quiet!”
Victor’s face darkened, but he said nothing mate
Gunvin and Grace are about to have their wedding.
Mandy suddenly stood, her expression a mix of indignation and hum. “Ms. Gould, yes, and I grew up together, and we did have a past, but now, I only see him as a friend!u didn’t want to be photographed either. It’s not something can contin
It seems I came at the wrong time today, so take my love,” her voice paused momentarily before she continued, her tone righteous. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve done amthing wrong Gain and are completely innocent”
with that she grabbed his bag and turned to leave, her head held high
“Wall, Mandy_“Victor hurried after her. “Let me walk you out.”
Without waiting for Amelia’s response, he rushed out of the room, living her seething
The living room fell into an awkward silence, the atmosphere oddly still
“Anw you having a wedding soun
Tom’s casual voice broke the tension
Now that Mandy was gone, Amelia’s lace soft, and she managed a smile. “Yes. We postponed it because of the old man’s less and only registered their marruge. Now that his beath has improved, it’s time to make it official”
Tom’s warber smile Laded slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. Looks like my timing was just right.”
Gavin chuckled: “Speaking of timing, why did you list so suddenly last time? At least now we can make up for it and celebrate together
Torn lowered his gaze, sing nothing, his expression unnvadable.
meal was ready, with an array of sumptuous dishes covering the entire table.
Gavin and Tum continued their animated conversation, catching up on business topics after so long apart.
Perlaps because of t
pregnancy, I felt unusually tired. After finishing my meal, I quietly excused myself and went upstairs.
had planned to wait in the room for Gavin to have an open and honest conversation, but at some point, I dozed off
In the son of sleep, Helt so approach Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm embrace, and trould feel the heated his body against my back Startled, I woke up and immediately grabbed the person’s wrist.
“Did I wake you?” Cuprin’s cred near my ear, his chin resting lightly to the crook of my neck. His warm breath sent shivers down my skin
Instinctively turned my face away.
Guven leated clogs, planting soft kisses along my cheek as he moved toward my lips.
The faint sort of alcohol in his breath hit me, and my stomach chutted uncomfortably. Fishing against his chest, I stopped him “Ineed to ask you something” Condo Troward slightly, clearly displeased by my rejection
Prepsing himself up, he looked down al
The intensity of his state carried an
ca sharp gate. “Still jealous of Mandy?
welming pressure. I sat up, meeting his eyes without flinching “My moms the news about you and sandy today. She was so angry hal to be rushed to many room
“She’s stable for now, out of inmediate danger”
cun exườnd a sigh of relief before standing up and grabbing his car keys from the table. “Let’s go the hospital”
blinked in confusion “What for
To explain everything to Elizabeth in person,”
\“Explain what?”
The thought of Mand’s claim of being a close friend reignited my tuestration. In this day and age, any man’s relationship with a woman could turn into something unspeakalile, let akone with someone like Mandy–the so–called first love dispused as achildhood friend.
Gavin posed his lips and said nothing bystead, he pulled out his phone, scrolled through it briefly, and landed it
Thesitated but took it glancing at the screen
It was a screenshot of a news article showing a harrowing car accident. The accompanying phoin depicted a bloodied man lying on a stretcher
1 looked up at Gadn, confused. “What is this?”
Gavin’s voice broke the silence. “That’s Mandy’s husband, Andrew Coleman. Years ago, he saved my life in that crash. His legs were shattered beyond repair, leaving him permanently disabled”
I stated at han in shock, barely managing to find my voice. “But Mandy is divorced now, isn’t
Henodded. “Yes. If it hadn’t been for me. They would still be a picture–perfect couple. It’s my fault.”
Thadn’t expected Gavin’s special treatment of Many to stem from guilt over this
Still, guilt could easily rekindle old feelings
“And you… How do you feel about her?” I started to ask but trailed off when Gain ruled my hair with a faint sinile.
“still jealous, aren’t you?” he teased.
I glared at him, swatting his hand away to fix my now–messy hair. “Who wouldn’t be, when you get so worked up over her breaking a glass?”
It was one thing to worry about her after hearing about her accident, especially given Andrew’s past But getting overly concerned about a broken glass. That seemed excessive
“She attempted suicide after Andrew was diagnosed with his disability.” Gavin explained, his tone heavy. “Using a plass.”
My eyes widened in disbelief.
“She might seem cheerful and carefree, but it’s all an act. She’s been battling severe depression for years and can’t handle even the slightest stress.”
For a moment, I was stunned into silence.
If that were true, it would explain Gavin’s unusual behavior around her
“Gult is one thing, but there are other ways to pay her considering the sensitive nature of your relationship, it’s better to limit your interactions with her going forward,” I said, unable to hide my concern.
Gavin nodded. “Don’t worry. I know where the boundaries are”
His firm response eased my tension slightly, and I let out a small sigh of relief
Still, a trace of worry lingered in my heart.
I could only hope that Garin would truly follow through on his promise.
Each the next morning, Gavin drove me to the hospital to visit my mom
When we arrived at her room, we found it empty. The bed was made, and there was no sign of her belongings.
Pank vaped in my chest as grabbed a passing nurse. “Excuse me, where’s the patient from Room doj?”
“The patient from Room 60” The muse pointed down the halbay, “She was transferred to a VIP suite earlier this morning”
1 mode for a moment, then tumedioGavin “Tidymui arrange for my most to be moved to a VIP room?
Gavin hesitated briefly beloer nodding. “Of course Who else would it be?
A wave et pratitude fidedine. “Thank yon, honey,”
Semering a regular room at Starlight Hospital www.already diffiendt, let alone a VIPsuite, Even the regular room had been obtained through Gurrin’s connections.
Elizabeth’s late–stage liver cancer had severcle distipted her sleep, and the elderly woman in the next bedetten groaned in pain through the night, making it worse Alex had tried to arrange for a more comfortable room der her, but VIPF suites were always billy booked.
Thadn’t expected Gast to go est et his way for Elizabeth like this. The frustration Thad felt mer Mandy’s drama yesterday dicipated instantly.
There’s no need to tham
“Gardin said with a soft chuckle, taking my hundas we walked toward the VIP sulie.
Looking up at his handsome profile. Helt astirof emotion and finally embed to tell him. “Grin, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Thadn’t shaved the news of my pergruncy yesden der because of the betision over Mandy. But now that everything had been cleared up, I didn’t want to keep it from him any longer
**What is it?” he asked.
Topened my mouth to spook but stopped when I heard Alex’s voice from inside the VIP suite.
“Me. While, I can’t thank you mough. If it weren’t for you, my mom wouldn’thane been able to move into this VIP suite,”
“it’s no troubile at all,” Tom replied casually, his voice carrying clearly into the hallway.
Iturned to surprised. “Did you ask Tom to help with this?
Gavin besinned again, then nodded with some reluctance. “Ves”
1 frowned in confusion–why would he hesitate over such a simple question?
Before I could think further, Gavin pushed the door open and walked in.
“Alex’s tone immediately turned key as he spotted Gavin “Oh, so you finally decided to show up?”
Alex had never gotten along with cavin, especially after our marriage. He felt Gavin didn’t treat the well enough, which only deepened his dislike for him
Genignosed Alex and tumed to Elizabeth, who was propped up in bed, “Mom, how are you feeling?”
