Chapter 82

Sean POV

"Angela, are you hurt? Is it serious?" The words tumbled from my lips as I burst into the hospital room. The sight of her lying in the bed, looking so fragile against the stark white sheets, made my chest constrict painfully.

But Angela's response wasn't what I expected. She barely glanced in my direction, her face a mask of careful indifference.

"I'm fine," she said quietly, her voice carrying a chill that made me pause mid-step.

The scene before me-Angela in the hospital bed, Christopher standing guard like some self-appointed protector-made something dark and possessive rear up inside me.

Without thinking, I moved toward Angela. "We need to get you checked properly-"

"That won't be necessary," Angela cut me off, her voice tight with barely contained emotion. "The doctors have already examined me thoroughly." She shifted slightly, wincing as the movement pulled at her injured wrists. "I'm quite tired now. I'd like to rest."

The dismissal in her tone was unmistakable. Christopher cleared his throat softly. "Perhaps we should continue our discussion outside?"

I wanted to refuse, to stay by Angela's side, but one look at her closed expression told me she meant what she said. With a tight nod, I followed Christopher into the hallway, the door closing behind us with a soft click.

"How did you find her?" I demanded without preamble.

Christopher leaned against the wall, his usual impeccable appearance showing signs of strain.

"I was on my way to visit Elizabeth, actually. When I arrived at the hospital, Victoria mentioned Angela had gone missing. I tried calling her phone and managed to trace its location."

He paused, his expression darkening.

"What I found was... concerning."

"What do you mean?"

"The kidnappers were Jennifer and a man named Mike-a former security guard who used to work Christina's events." Christopher's voice remained carefully neutral, but his implications were clear.

"Rather interesting coincidence, don't you think?"

The suggestion hit me like a physical blow.

"That's impossible. Christina would never-"

"Never what, Sean?" Christopher's amber eyes fixed on me with unnerving intensity. "Never orchestrate something like this? Then perhaps you can explain why her closest friend and former employee were holding your wife captive in an abandoned warehouse?"

I felt the color drain from my face as the implications sank in.

"You don't understand. Christina was missing too. I was looking for her-"

"Yes, quite convenient timing, wasn't it? While you were searching for Christina, Angela was being attacked. Did you even check your phone when she called?"

The accusation hit home with devastating accuracy. I had ignored several calls from Angela's number, too focused on finding Christina.

The realization made my stomach churn.

"How long had Angela been missing before you found her?" The question came out rougher than I intended.

"Long enough." Christopher straightened his cuffs with deliberate precision. "Long enough for her to realize that her husband was too busy chasing after another woman to notice she was in danger."

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. "Watch yourself, Blake. She's still my wife."

"Temporarily." His lips curved into a knowing smile that made my blood boil. "Your marriage contract expires soon, doesn't it?"

The knowledge that he knew about our arrangement felt like another betrayal. "Angela told you about that?"

"She needed someone to confide in," he replied smoothly. "Someone who would put her interests first, instead of running off to buy strawberries for another woman in the middle of the night."

My hand shot out before I could stop myself, grabbing his lapel. "You don't know anything about my relationship with Angela."

"I know more than you think." Christopher didn't resist my grip, his calm demeanor only fueling my anger. "I know she deserves better than being your backup plan while you play house with Christina."

"What exactly are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything." He removed my hand from his jacket with careful precision. "I'm simply suggesting that you take a good look at your priorities, Sean. Before it's too late."

Through the window in Angela's door, I could see her lying still in the hospital bed, one hand resting protectively over her stomach. The sight made something twist painfully in my chest.

"Just remember," Christopher's voice was quiet but carried clearly in the empty hallway, "the next time your wife calls, you might want to answer. You never know what you might lose by choosing Christina instead."

I lowered my head, falling silent. This time, I had truly made a mistake. But how could I have known...

"Oh," Christopher's voice cut through my thoughts with surgical precision, "I almost forgot. You probably won't get another chance."

His lips curved into a cold smile. "She's unlikely to call you again, isn't she?"