Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 421

Jude Winslow listened to the fading footsteps around the corner, finally raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

He took a deep breath, forcing down the inappropriate thoughts swirling in his mind before turning back toward the hospital room.

He was Hudson Lancaster's friend.

He was also the heir to the Winslow family.

And he had a fiancée, a match arranged before they were even born.

Even though Evangeline Fairchild had been missing for over two decades without a trace, an engagement was an engagement.

He couldn't betray anyone.

With those thoughts grounding him, Jude found himself standing right outside the door to the hospital room.

Professor Campbell's affairs weren't fully settled yet, and he and Finnian Fairchild had only slipped away due to a sudden emergency.

Now that the crisis was handled, it was time to head back so the professor wouldn't be kept waiting.

But just as he raised his hand to knock, he froze.

The hospital room had terrible soundproofing, and through the thin door, muffled voices drifted out.

"Finnian Fairchild, what are you doing?! Stop crowding me..."

The bed let out a series of strained, rhythmic squeaks that left little to the imagination.

Inside the room, Finnian's actions were anything but innocent.

He had thrown back Sienna Quigley's covers and climbed right in, pulling her securely into his arms.

Sienna immediately protested. "This is a twin bed, and I'm a patient! Why are you bullying a sick person? Get off..."

As she spoke, she wriggled and twisted, trying to shove him off the narrow mattress.

For a moment, the suggestive noises only grew more chaotic.

The bed frame squeaked rhythmically, the sound scandalous enough to make anyone blush.

Finnian clearly realized it too. His gaze turned somber as he glared at her. "Stop moving."

Sienna flatly refused to listen, struggling even harder, practically ready to kick him off the edge.

"Then get out! I'm still sick, you..."

"Sienna Quigley!"

Outside the door, the tips of Jude's ears burned fiercely. He let out a low chuckle and turned away.

...

Cloudwater Estate.

Nora Reed dozed in the passenger seat. Sensing the car come to a stop, she sleepily opened her eyes and let out a soft yawn.

Today had been completely draining. First, she had fought with Liana Fairchild, and then Sienna's sudden collapse had terrified her into a cold sweat. Now, entirely devoid of energy, she was utterly exhausted.

Hudson killed the engine and turned to look at her.

"Are you that tired?"

Nora gave a lazy murmur of agreement, not even lifting her eyelids.

Hudson let out a low laugh. Without another word, he stepped out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened her door. Leaning in, he unbuckled her seatbelt and scooped her effortlessly out of the car.

Startled, Nora instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are you doing? I can walk."