Chapter 269
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Chapter 269:
Dr. Evans cleared his throat. “When she is discharged, she will need round-the-clock care in a familiar, highly controlled environment p>
Jocelyn bit her lower lip. “My apartment is a studio. It barely fits a bed. I cannot fit a medical team in there p>
“Grandma is moving into my penthouse in Manhattan tomorrow,” Gaston stated. It was not a suggestion.
Jocelyn turned to him, eyes wide. “Gaston p>
Gaston stepped into her space. He leaned down until his mouth was inches from her ear, close enough that she caught the sharp cedar and bergamot of his cologne.
“For her health, she needs stability,” he murmured, his breath brushing the sensitive skin of her neck. “And to give her that, we are going to play the most devoted, perfectly in-love married couple this city has ever seen p>
The black Maybach glided smoothly into the underground parking garage of the Manhattan luxury high-rise, its tires squeaking softly against the polished concrete.
Gaston stepped out first. He walked to the passenger side and helped Grandma into the waiting wheelchair. Jocelyn followed, carrying a small overnight bag, her palms damp with nerves.
They entered the private elevator — no buttons, just a biometric scanner. Gaston pressed his thumb to the glass panel, and the elevator shot upward, leaving Jocelyn’s stomach somewhere far below.
The silver doors slid open directly into the penthouse foyer.
Mrs. Higgins, the head housekeeper, stood waiting in a crisp uniform. Beside her were two women in high-end medical scrubs.
𝗥𝗲𝘢𝘥 𝗳𝘳𝗈m 𝘺о𝘂r рh𝘰ոе o𝗻
“Welcome home, Mr. Collins,” Mrs. Higgins said warmly.
She stepped forward and took the handles of the wheelchair with practiced care. “Right this way, Mrs. Wolfe. We have prepared the south-facing suite for you. It gets the best morning light p>
Jocelyn followed them down a wide hallway. The guest room looked nothing like a hospital room. The medical monitors had been cleverly built into custom oak cabinetry, and the hospital bed was disguised beneath a heavy, luxurious down comforter.
Grandma looked around, her eyes wide with childlike wonder. She reached out and took Jocelyn’s hand.
“He is a good provider, Jocelyn,” Grandma whispered — loudly. “You picked a very reliable friend p>
Jocelyn forced a smile, her cheeks burning. “Yes, Grandma. He is very reliable p>
Dinner was served at a long dining table built to seat twenty. The three of them sat at one end, the clink of silver forks against china echoing softly through the quiet room.
Grandma set her soup spoon down. She looked around the vast, still space, her brow creasing.
“This house is too big,” she announced. “It is cold. It needs noise. It needs the sound of little children running around p>
Jocelyn had just taken a sip of ice water. The liquid went straight down her windpipe. She choked, coughing violently into her linen napkin, eyes watering.
Gaston calmly reached over. His large, warm palm settled against the center of her back and rubbed firmly, steadying her through the coughing fit. His touch was entirely too natural.
“Do not worry, Grandma,” Gaston said, his voice smooth as glass. “We are putting a great-grandchild on the schedule very soon p>