She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 975

Helena's life was suddenly split cleanly down the middle.

By day, she sat at the piano in the rehearsal studio, desperately trying to write the music she had been contracted to compose. But her mind was a chaotic mess of anxiety and exhaustion. She would stare at the keys for hours, her brain completely blank.

As the afternoon wore on, Swain would show up with her favorite coffee and snacks. But instead of enjoying a break, it was just the signal that she had to pack up and rush to the hospital to tend to Morris.

Her personal space had evaporated entirely.

For an entire week, she felt like she was drowning.

To make matters worse, Yelena Yates, the project manager, cornered her about her lack of progress.

Helena had submitted the exact same draft as the week before.

Yelena's expression immediately darkened. "We have a tight deadline on this contract. If you can't deliver what I need on schedule, how am I supposed to justify keeping you? You do realize how much is riding on this project, right?"

Helena lowered her head. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I'll get it done as fast as I can."

Yelena took a deep breath. "Look, I've heard the rumors about what happened with Morris Lonsdale. I don't know what's going on between you two, but it's clearly messing with your head. If you're trying to play both Swain and a billionaire, you shouldn't be dragging your work into the mess."

Helena bit her lip hard. "I'm not doing that."

"I hope not," Yelena replied sharply. "Bottom line: I want to see brand-new material next week, and you need to make up for the time you've wasted."

Helena left the studio feeling utterly defeated.

Swain was waiting for her by his car.

When she got in, he looked surprisingly upbeat. "Hey, do you want to grab dinner somewhere nice? We haven't been on a real date in forever."

He fiddled with the radio as the streetlights blurred past the window. She stared out at the glowing city, Yelena's harsh warning still ringing in her ears.

"Well?" Swain glanced at her, a hopeful smile on his face. "My buddy says that new barbecue place downtown is amazing. You've been working so hard; you need a good meal."

Helena's fingers curled tightly against her thighs. She blinked, pulling herself back to reality. "I have to go to the hospital tonight."

Swain's smile faltered, but he quickly forced it back. "Can't you just take one night off? Just one. You're running yourself into the ground."

"Swain." Her tone sharpened, an edge creeping into her voice.

"The accident happened because you invited him!" she snapped. "If he hadn't come, he wouldn't be hurt. Loyce made this a condition of clearing your debt. Do you really think I'm in a position to say no?"

"That's just an excuse! We all know his hand is never going to fully heal! Are you just doing this because you're in love with him?!" Swain exploded.

The words hung in the air, heavy and toxic. Swain froze, looking like he had just surprised himself with his own outburst.

He opened his mouth, desperately trying to walk it back, but the damage was done.

The streetlights bathed the interior of the car in harsh yellow light. The atmosphere turned suffocating.

Helena's hands clenched into tight fists. "Pull over."

"I'm sorry, I didn't—" Swain stammered. "I just know nothing could ever happen between you two. He's Morris Lonsdale! Even if he lost both his legs, billionaires would still line up to marry him. He's not like us—"

"Stop the car!" Helena yelled, her voice piercing the confined space. She was violently, intensely disgusted by everything coming out of his mouth.