Chapter 39
Chapter 39:
June’s stomach turned. She could not believe she had ever loved this man.
“You are pathetic,” she said, her voice steady and sharp. “You know how to bully people with money and leverage. You don’t have the courage to face your own reality p>
Cole’s eyes narrowed.
“You hide behind the ghost of your dead brother,” June continued, pressing on the wound deliberately. “Because it’s easier than admitting you’re a coward p>
The mention of Caleb was the only trigger that still reliably detonated him.
Cole’s hand moved in a flash. He grabbed her chin, his thumb pressing hard into her jawline, forcing her to look up at him.
“Do not ever,” Cole breathed, his voice vibrating with a fury that went beyond anger, “say Caleb’s name. You don’t have the right p>
𝖠𝘥𝗱𝗂𝖼𝗍𝗶𝘃𝗲 ո𝘰𝘃е𝘭ѕ о𝗇
June’s eyes did not waver. The last remaining ember of anything she had felt for him went out completely and quietly.
She raised her hand and calmly removed his fingers from her face, the way one removes something unclean from a sleeve.
“I already have what I came for,” June said, adjusting her collar.
Before Cole could process her words, the heavy double doors of the ICU swung open. The lead attending physician walked out, pulling his surgical mask down beneath his chin.
Cole dropped his aggressive posture in an instant. He turned his back on June and moved toward the doctor.
“How is she?” Cole demanded.
“She is stable,” the doctor said, pressing the sweat from his forehead with the back of his wrist. “She is out of immediate danger. But her heart is extremely weak. She requires absolute rest. Any further emotional distress could be fatal p>
The doctor walked away, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence in the hallway.
Cole leaned back against the wall, pressing his thumb and forefinger against his temples. He let out a long, ragged breath.
The elevator chimed again.
Mrs. Lynch, the head housekeeper of Compton Manor, hurried down the hall carrying a thermal bag and several thick manila envelopes. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She spotted Cole and moved quickly toward him, holding out one of the envelopes.
Cole assumed it was Eleanor’s medical log. He snatched it and tore it open.
The crumpled New York Post and the default judgment motion slid out and fell to the linoleum floor.
“She found these,” Mrs. Lynch said, her voice trembling. “The Madam saw them on your desk in the study. That is what caused the attack p>
Cole stared at the papers on the floor. He turned his head slowly toward June, who was still standing against the wall.
“Which only proves my point,” Cole said, his voice soaked in contempt. “She put them there deliberately to trigger my grandmother p>
Mrs. Lynch gasped. She shook her head and stepped directly between them.
“No, sir — you are wrong!” the housekeeper said firmly. “Mrs. Compton was there to collect her personal belongings. She never even spoke to the Madam before the attack p>
Cole scoffed. “And I’m supposed to take your word for it p>