Chapter 12

"Misdiagnosed?" Finnian's brows knitted tight as he stared at her, his dark eyes sharp like a hawk in the night. "Aurelia, don't even think about lying to me."

"Why would I lie to you?"

Aurelia scoffed, curling her lips with the slightest trace of disdain. "Finnian, get this straight - we're done. Over. Not only am I not sick, but even if I were about to drop dead tomorrow, it's none of your business. So how about backing off and letting me live my life?"

"Aurelia!"

Her words hit him like a slap, and he snapped, voice rough and angry. "You really haven't changed a bit. A misdiagnosis? Sounds more like you staged this whole thing."

But this time, Aurelia didn't even flinch.

She'd already made peace with her decision - cutting Finnian out of her life meant never wasting another ounce of emotion on him.

"Sure, if that's what helps you sleep at night. Whatever image you've cooked up in your head, I don't care anymore."

Shrugging like it really didn't bother her, she stepped past him, ready to leave. She barely managed a couple of steps before he darted forward.

"Ah - !"

In a blur, her world spun upside down - Finnian had just scooped her up like it was nothing.

"Have you lost your mind?! Put me down!"

He didn't say a word, face like stone, striding toward the curb like he couldn't hear her at all.

"Finnian, are you seriously not hearing me? Put me down, now!"

Aurelia had trained in judo - breaking free wasn't impossible - but given her current condition...

A sleek black Bentley waited at the side of the road. Lucas, in the driver's seat, saw what was happening and rushed out to open the back door.

"You're insane! Let me go or I swear I won't hold back!"

Still silent, Finnian shoved her toward the back seat with a stiff face and zero patience.

She knew exactly what this was - he was trying to take her to the hospital.

But she couldn't go with him. Not now.

Gritting her teeth, she waited for just the right moment. As he pushed her into the car, she twisted her body, straightened her leg and - bam! - her foot nailed him right in the shin.

Finnian froze in place, his tall frame stiffening as a sharp jolt of pain shot through him, blanking his thoughts in an instant.

Aurelia saw her chance. She flung open the rear car door on the other side and slipped out.

Tires screeched as a red Ferrari skidded to a halt in front of her.

She sprinted over, yanked open the passenger door, and jumped in. Buckling her seatbelt, she blurted, "Zara, step on it!"

Without a word, Zara floored the gas, and the Ferrari sped off like a shot.

Finnian watched the taillights vanish into the night, his eyes narrowing, the air around him tense enough to snap.

Lucas approached cautiously. "Mr. Dawson, should we go after her?"

"Follow her. Around the clock. Don't let her notice. Report any updates immediately," Finnian said, his tone cool as ever.

Lucas gave a quick nod. "Understood."

With a deep, resigned sigh, Finnian pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to head back toward the hotel.

---

He stepped back into the private suite, the door softly clicking shut behind him.

"Mr. Dawson." Edward was the first to stand, clearly surprised but pleased to see him return. He quickly moved forward to greet him.

Finnian exchanged a few polite words, then sat back in the same seat beside Serena.

Serena had already been getting ready to leave - but then Finnian came back. Wasn't he chasing after Aurelia?

Seeing the look on his face now, she couldn't help the flicker of excitement. Seemed like things didn't go too well between them.

"Finnian, your stomach's not great. You should drink juice instead," Serena said gently, offering him a glass like it was the most natural thing in the world. To an outsider, it almost looked like a couple's quiet moment.

Finnian didn't turn her down, just gave her a flat glance.

The truth? He was only here for one reason - to pull more details about Aurelia from Edward.

Nearby, Serena's manager Emma misread the whole vibe, thinking Finnian had come back because of Serena. She chuckled, "We were just talking about you, actually."

Finnian raised an eyebrow, lips twitching into a smirk as he glanced at Serena. "Oh? What were you saying about me?"

His gaze made Serena's palms go clammy. Something about it didn't sit right, and unease started to creep in.