Chapter: 997

She hadn't seen this coming.

But...

Why hadn't Jonathan just told her straight away?

He was testing her.

He wanted to see how she would handle this and on whose side she would stand.

"Nola and Rowan are waiting for me. I have to go," Jonathan said in a raspy voice, then turned and walked away.

Bethany instinctively reached out to grab his sleeve, but the fabric was so smooth that it slipped through her fingers.

Jonathan remained tall and slender, but from behind, he seemed lonely.

Bethany's phone continued to ring. It was likely B7 calling, given that his computer had crashed just Like Rowan's.

It was foolish of her to doubt Jonathan based solely on words from B7, someone she barely knew.

Jonathan must be feeling heartbroken.

After the meeting, Nikolas hurried down the stairs, his grip tight on the car keys as he rushed to pick up Aimee.

As he approached the villa, his phone rang sharply, jarring him from his thoughts.

He glanced at the screen, frustration creeping in.

“Fuck!" he muttered. He felt haunted.

Pulling over, he answered the call with a grimace.

“Aren't you done?"

“Nikolas! Siena's voice burst through, filled with panic. “Our daughter's in the hospital. You need to come right away!"

Nikolas's jaw tightened. “I'm not coming."

"Please," Siena's voice wavered. "I didn't tell you before that she has a congenital heart disease. You have to come and see her! The situation is critical. She might not survive the surgery."

"I said I'm not coming."

Nikolas ended the call abruptly, staring at the phone as if it were his enemy.

He pulled out a cigarette, flicked the lighter, and the brief flare of light cast shadows on his face.

Fuck!