CHAPTER 320: ANNE’S SUSPICION

Anne moved closer to the bed, her eyes never leaving Augustine’s face. A blend of relief and unease flickered in her eyes—she was relieved that he was finally home under her watch, but worried that he was still in a coma.

She always remembered him as a strong man. Seeing him in this fragile state was unbearable. His stillness tugged at her heart.

"What about his daily check-up?" she asked quietly. "Did you talk to the doctor properly?"

Sam rubbed the back of his head, his gaze dropping. In truth, Augustine’s condition was improving steadily. The head injury was healing as expected, and what he needed most now was rest.

The attending doctor was already aware that Augustine had regained consciousness, but they couldn’t make it public yet due to security concerns. The irony was that he couldn’t even let her know about it.

"The doctor will come every day," Sam replied. "There is no need to worry, madam. The trauma in his brain caused the coma, but his injuries are healing well. There is every possibility he could wake up soon. Perhaps tomorrow... or in a few days."

The corners of her lips curved into a smile. She longed for the moment his eyes would open, for him to call her name.

"It’s a relief." Turning to Sam, she added softly, "Thank you for looking after him. You must be tired. Go and rest now—I’ll take care of him from here."

Sam gave a small nod before quietly stepping out.

Anne set the bag and the envelope on the side table before lowering herself onto the edge of the bed, brushing her fingertips against the back of his hand, her eyes lingering on his face with unspoken yearning and determination.

"You are home," she whispered. "I hope you can smell the fresh lavender aroma. Do you like it?"

Her gaze clung to his face, desperate for even the smallest response. And then—it came. His eyeballs shifted slightly.

A radiant grin broke across Anne’s face. "You like it. Alright, I’ll bring fresh lavender tomorrow. What do you say?"

Again, she searched his closed eyes, her heart hammering, and once more, he responded with a subtle movement.

Joy welled up in her chest. "Oh my God... Augustine. You can really hear me." Unable to contain herself, she bent forward, wrapping her arms around him, pressing her cheek against his chest.

"I miss you. When are you going to wake up?"

Augustine’s hands twitched faintly, aching to rise, to close around her frame, to taste the warmth of her lips. Every part of him burned to respond, but he forced himself into stillness.

’Patience,’ he reminded himself. For now, it was enough. He was home, with her.

He would have enough time to hold her – just like last night. Thinking this way, he remained still.

Oblivious to the storm of emotions in him, Anne continued, "Dad and Nathan came up with an idea to counter Gabriel and Denis. We won’t let them succeed in their plans..."

She lifted her head and looked at him, weaving the details of her father’s strategy.

"This will keep him busy," she said finally, "too furious to meddle in your business. By then, I’m sure you’ll wake up and resolve the rising tension in Sphere Group."

While Anne was hopeful, Augustine was worried, his heart tightening with dread. Beneath his stillness, every muscle in him was taut.

He knew Gabriel too well. That man was cunning, ruthless. And now Anne was talking about going head-to-head with him while she was pregnant. The thought of her stepping into such danger was unbearable.

He longed to sit up and forbid her from throwing herself into the fire. He could no longer lie there silently and watch her walk toward peril.

His breath quickened. He was ready to push himself upright, to break his disguise and reveal the truth. But before he could act, a sudden vibration of her phone shattered the moment.

Anne pulled back, her hand darting for her phone. She glanced at the screen. "It’s Nathan," she murmured. "I need to take this call."

She leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead before taking the envelope from the side table and stepping out of the room.

Anne walked swiftly down the hallway, pressing the phone to her ear. "Hello?" She slipped into the study.

"What is happening there?" Nathan asked with concern. "You left in a hurry. Is he alright?"

Anne relaxed as she sat down on the sofa. "Yes, everything is fine. Augustine has been brought home. The doctor said we could keep him here."

"Oh! Is it? Well—that’s good." Relief eased his tone. "At least now you can take care of him. Besides, home is safer."

"Yes, you are right. Those people who orchestrated the accident could try to hurt him again. But here, the security is tight. He’ll be safe. And I don’t have to live in constant fear for him anymore."

"I understand you completely," Nathan said firmly. "Anyway, Dad and I discussed everything after you left. He is already preparing the legal documents and taking precautionary measures. He’ll make a strong case, and no one will be able to stop Augustine from claiming what is rightfully his."

"Thank you, Nathan," she said warmly. "I don’t know how I would have managed without you and Dad..."

The memory of her lonely struggles over the years weighed on her heart. But now, with her family beside her, she felt capable of facing anything.

"Don’t thank me, silly. We are family. Of course, we’ll stand by you." After a brief pause, he added, "Come by the office tomorrow, and we’ll wrap up the paperwork."

"I’ll be there on time. I need to hang up now—see you tomorrow."

As she ended the call, her gaze dropped to the envelope in her hand. Curiosity stirred as she wondered what kind of papers Dimitri had sent for Augustine. For a fleeting moment, she was tempted to break the seal and peek inside. But reason held her back.

"No, Anne, you can’t do that. Better to keep them safe."

She slid the envelope into the drawer of the desk and locked it.

In the bedroom...

Augustine opened his eyes the moment the door closed behind Anne. He dragged himself up, a dull ache spreading throughout his head. He winced, but he ignored the pain and picked up the phone from the side table, his thoughts burning with urgency as he called Gustave.

As the call connected, Gustave’s surprised voice came through. "You are calling me from your home! Didn’t you say you wouldn’t reveal the truth yet? Have you changed your mind?"

"Don’t worry about that," Augustine muttered dismissively. "No one is around."

He looked at the closed door before adding, his voice dropping further, "What is Oliver doing these days? Is he planning something against Gabriel? Anne was telling me about her father and brother filing a case against Gabriel. Check on it quickly and report to me.’

The reply came swiftly, "I don’t know anything about it. I’ll look into it and let you know. But you should be careful. We are very close to winning this game. Don’t do anything to blow it up."

Augustine hummed. "Take necessary safety measures for Anne. And for Gabriel – it’s only a matter of time before he crumbles completely."

While he was still on the phone, Anne came out of the study and made her way back to the bedroom, still mulling over Dimitri’s envelope. As she neared the door, a faint murmur drifted out.

She paused, her pulse leaping. For a breathless second, she swore it sounded like Augustine’s voice.

Her heart stirred with hope. "Augustine?" she exclaimed, believing he was finally awake. With a smile tugging at her lips, she hurried inside.

But the sight before her froze her in place. Augustine lay utterly still on the bed, his eyes shut, his body unmoving as if locked in deep slumber. The smile slid off her face.

Disappointment crashed in her heart. She pressed her lips together, shaking her head. Maybe she had imagined it. Maybe her ears were ringing.

On the bed, Augustine fought to keep his composure. His heart hammered wildly. He had ended the call just in time when he heard the footsteps outside. Jumping onto the bed in a hurry, he lay flat and motionless as Anne entered.

A narrow escape—but his breathing came uneven, betraying the effort it took to remain still.

Anne stepped closer, and her expression dimmed. "Look at me. I am so eager to see you awake that I’ve even started imagining things."

She chuckled. But that smile vanished instantly as she noticed the screen of his phone glowing. Her eyes, suspicion tugging at her chest.

’Was he talking on the phone?’ Curious, she picked up the phone to check. Before she could unlock it, the phone vibrated in her hand, the screen flashing with an unfamiliar number.

Anne’s stomach dropped. ’Who would be calling Augustine while he is in a coma?’

Enemies? Someone was testing if he was awake?

Dread pooled in her stomach. She set the phone back down swiftly. "Who is calling you, Augustine?"

She turned her gaze to him again, searching for any sign. Meanwhile, she noticed one of his legs hanging halfway out of the blanket.

Her jaw dropped. She remembered his body was fully covered beneath the blanket.

"Did you... move your leg?" she asked, casting a suspicious look at him.

’Shit,’ Augustine cursed himself inwardly. His hastiness raised suspicion in her mind. What was he going to do?

"Augustine?" Anne called, looking at his face intently. "Are you awake? Are you hiding something from me?"

She waited, hoping she would see something – a sign maybe. But there was nothing. He didn’t even move his eyeballs.

She sighed. "Maybe I am too anxious," she muttered, hanging her head down.