She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 976

Swain had no choice but to pull over to the side of the street.

Helena grabbed her bag and got out, slamming the door behind her without a backward glance. Inside the car, Swain slammed his palms violently against the steering wheel, but he didn't go after her.

That night, she managed to bury her volatile emotions before walking into the hospital.

Morris observed her closely. He could feel the dark, heavy aura radiating off her, the barely suppressed tension of a woman standing on the edge of a breakdown. His eyes narrowed slightly, his mind working.

Helena kept her head down as she changed his bandages. Her fingers were steadier than they had been a week ago, moving with practiced efficiency.

But her mind was clearly somewhere else. It wasn't until Morris offered a polite, distant "Thank you," followed by, "You can head home early tonight," that she finally snapped back to reality.

She met his dark gaze and shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'll stay until my shift is up."

Morris glanced at the flat-screen on the wall, which was silently playing a broadcast of one of his past piano recitals.

"You can take tomorrow off," he added smoothly. "You don't need to be here constantly."

"I don't want a day off." Helena picked up the remote, muted the TV, and sank into the small armchair in the corner. She pulled her sheet music and a pencil from her bag. "I need to work."

Morris didn't push her. "Suit yourself."

He picked up his phone with his good hand and sent a quick text. Half an hour later, a nurse walked in and placed a takeout bag on the table in front of Helena.

She looked up at him in surprise. "You haven't eaten?"

"It's for you," he replied flatly.

Helena blinked, slightly stunned. She opened the paper bag and found a hot latte—with a double shot of syrup—and two frosted pastries.

Had he actually noticed her specific coffee order?

He met her gaze with an entirely unreadable expression. "Not hungry? I assumed you missed dinner."

"I... thank you." She pulled the lid off the coffee, her mind spinning. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe he just randomly ordered a disgustingly sweet drink.

Helena tore off her clothes, almost violently, and stumbled barefoot into the bathroom.

She didn't turn on the light. The faint orange glow of a streetlamp filtered through the frosted glass, casting warped, twisted shadows across the tile floor.

With trembling hands, she reached into the hidden depths of her vanity cabinet and pulled out a heavy silicone dildo.

*Smack.*

Biting down hard on her lower lip, she forcefully slapped the suction base against the cold, damp tiles of the shower wall.

She slowly backed up, pressing her body against the wall, sinking down to take it in.

Sweat mingled with tears she didn't realize she was shedding, blurring her vision in the dark.

"Morris..."

Helena's defenses finally shattered, sobbing the forbidden name into the quiet, dark bathroom as she rode out her desperate release.