Chapter 6 They Looked Just Like A Couple

A timid voice called from outside the room, "Mr. Moore, your colleagues are getting ready to leave. Are you done talking with your friend?"

Luke hesitated, and then pulled off his gloves with an indifferent look. "Give me a second," he replied.

He tossed his lab coat onto the edge of the bed, turning to Gillian with a cold glint in his eyes. "If I ever find out you've let Ashton touch you, don't blame me for what comes next. It'd be smart for you to keep your distance and stay on my good side. Don't push me, Gillian."

With that, he strode out, and the oppressive tension in the air finally broke.

The moment he left, Gillian rushed to fix her clothes and slipped out of the exam room before anyone else could show up.

Once she got outside, she hurried to her car and drove straight back to work. No matter how hard she tried to relax, a strange ache in her legs made it impossible to focus. All afternoon, her mind spun with worry.

How much longer could she keep getting tangled up with Luke? Who knew what else he might try to pull?

Her thoughts were still a mess when a knock sounded at her door. A nurse peeked in to tell her that the hospital director wanted to see her.

After climbing the stairs to the director's office, Gillian learned that the hospital was about to host a joint seminar with a team in Khoyver, and she had been chosen to represent her department.

She agreed without hesitation.

The idea of putting some distance between herself and Luke sounded like the best news she had heard all day. She even wondered if she could have the procedure done in Khoyver, somewhere far from his reach.

Since the seminar was set for the next afternoon, Gillian wasted no time booking a flight and rushed home to pack her bags.

Halfway to the airport, her phone rang. It was her closest friend, Nina Foster.

Gillian answered with a puzzled frown, saying, "Nina? Is something wrong?"

"Gillian, where are you?" Nina's words tumbled out in a panic. "I just saw Ashton at a jewelry store with another woman! He spent over five million on a necklace for her, and they looked just like a couple!"

Shock drained all the color from Gillian's face. It was one thing for Ashton to lose interest in her, but stepping out with someone else before they had even called off the engagement? That was something she never expected.

"I'm... I'm at the airport. I'm about to board my flight," she said, her voice tight with nerves. "Maybe it's all a mix-up? I'll talk to him."

Once the call ended, she tried dialing Ashton, hoping for an explanation. He didn't answer.

Her chest tightened. He used to answer on the first ring, no matter how busy he was. What had changed so suddenly?

She stared at her phone, waiting, until his name finally flashed on the screen.

"Sorry, I ended the call by mistake earlier. What is it?" Ashton's voice was short, clipped, and carried an edge of annoyance. "I'm swamped with work right now. If this isn't important, I'll get back to you later."

The background was silent, nothing but his breath on the line. It seemed that he was really working. Maybe Nina had gotten the wrong idea, or seen someone who only looked like him.

Trying to sound steady, Gillian forced a little smile into her tone. "It's nothing. I just wanted you to know I'm flying out to Khoyver for a conference."

She added quietly, "You should focus on your work."

Gillian was about to end the call when a high, sweet voice floated through the phone. "Ashton, who's on the phone with you, baby?"

Before she could react, the call cut off. Gillian's hand went stiff around her phone.

That voice was unmistakable. It sounded just like Meagan Brown-her father's adopted daughter.

Meagan was supposed to be at school. Why was she with Ashton?

Gillian stared at her darkened phone, heart plummeting, unable to make sense of any of it.