CHAPTER 40: THE FIRST KISS

Axel arrived later that evening, and the first thing he asked when he walked into the ward was, "Why was Daniel here?"

I didn’t need anyone to tell me that the security guard must have filled him in on what happened.

"I’ll have your security fired," Axel continued. His voice sounded tight, almost like he was trying to hold back his anger.

"No, please don’t," I begged quickly, leaning forward. "It wasn’t his fault. I was the one who asked him to fetch me a drink just before Daniel came in."

"That’s not what he told me," Axel replied, studying my face carefully as if searching for cracks in my story. "He said he had to go to the toilet to handle nature’s business."

"He was trying to take the blame for something that wasn’t his responsibility," I insisted, trying to sound firm and convincing.

Axel raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "So is it him or you that’s trying to take the blame here?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could speak, he sighed and waved his hand dismissively.

"Forget it," he muttered. His eyes softened. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"

"I’m fine," I assured him quickly. My voice softened in spite of myself. "Thank you for caring."

Axel reached for my wrist, turning it gently in his hand. His touch was surprisingly careful, almost tender, as he examined the faint red marks where Daniel had grabbed me. When he looked back up, our faces were suddenly much closer than I’d realised.

The air between us shifted, charged with something neither of us wanted to name. His eyes flicked down to my lips, and before I knew it, I was leaning in without thinking, my heart hammering against my ribs like a wild drum.

"Excuse me!" A nurse bustled in, stopping short the instant she saw us. Her eyes widened. "Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt. You can, um... sign the discharge papers at the front desk whenever you’re ready."

She backed out just as quickly, nearly tripping over her own shoes in her hurry.

Axel straightened, clearing his throat, while I couldn’t help but giggle at the awkwardness of it all.

"You’re getting a little too good at this pretend husband thing," I teased, poking his arm playfully.

Inside, though, I couldn’t help wishing it weren’t pretend at all.

—

We left the hospital together, the night air cool against my skin. Returning home felt like stepping into a sanctuary, every familiar corner of my room grounding me after the chaos of the past few days.

I lay back in my own bed, inhaling deeply as comfort finally replaced the sterile smell of the hospital.

A little while later, Axel came back with a tray, and the delicious smell of the food reached me before I even saw it. It was warm, savory, and mouthwatering.

"Did you make this yourself?" I asked, genuinely surprised as he set it down carefully on my bedside table.

"Yes," he replied simply, almost shyly.

I stared at him, my chest tightening. Why would he go through all that trouble? The gesture felt too intimate, too thoughtful, like something a real husband would do, not just one pretending.

He sat down in the chair beside me. "Were you able to find anything useful while you were at the hospital?"

I hesitated, thinking back to that night when I saw Cassandra and Daniel sneaking around my mother’s room, whispering like conspirators. But I decided against mentioning it. There wasn’t enough proof, nothing solid to share yet.

"Not really," I said instead, picking at the edge of the blanket. "They just seemed desperate to keep me away from my mother. Whatever they’re planning, they don’t want me involved."

Axel suddenly reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not involved. But whatever it is, I’ll do everything in my power to protect you," he said firmly.

I froze. My heart stuttered at the warmth of his grip and the intensity in his voice. He held my gaze steadily, without blinking.

"Why?" I managed to whisper.

He leaned closer, slowly, like a scene carefully unfolding in a drama I wasn’t sure I could survive. His free hand brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers grazing my cheek.

The touch was light, yet electric enough to send shivers racing down my spine.

"Because you’re my wife," he said softly in a low and husky voice.

Time felt like it was stretching. The air around us became heavy, almost like it had a weight to it. His face was right in front of mine, and I could feel the warmth of his breath. My eyes fluttered closed as I leaned in instinctively.

When our lips finally met, the world stopped.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, like testing forbidden ground. Then it deepened, my response meeting his with an urgency I hadn’t expected. Every emotion I had tried to bury came rushing out at once, flooding me with warmth and terror in equal measure.

It was everything I’d been denying. Everything I secretly wanted. And it felt perfect.

Then my phone rang.

The sound shattered the moment like glass breaking against stone. I jerked back breathlessly, my lips still tingling. Axel pulled away too, running a hand through his hair as if trying to steady himself.

I fumbled for my phone. "It’s Erica," I said quickly in a shaky voice. I stood, needing the distance, needing air. Axel looked away, as though he too was trying to process what had just happened.

"Hey, Erica," I answered, pacing toward the window.

"Layla! How are you doing? Are you back home?"

"I’m fine, yes, I’m home now," I replied, trying to sound steady. "Everything’s..."

I didn’t get to finish when a piercing scream ripped through the line.

I froze immediately.

"Erica? Erica!" I shouted into the phone, gripping it so hard my hand shook.

The line went dead.