The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 89

Opening the front door, the living room was pitch black.

Garnett Harper glanced at his watch. It was only 10:00 PM. She had been going to bed surprisingly early lately.

He closed the door and walked inside quietly. A faint sliver of light spilled from beneath the guest room door. He gently pressed the handle down.

A small nightlight was glowing in the corner. Lavinia was lying on her side, already fast asleep.

The phone next to her pillow was playing white noise—the sound of crashing ocean waves.

Her hand had slipped out from under the blanket, dangling off the edge of the mattress, a bandage wrapped around one of her fingers.

He walked over and gently held her hand, his thumb lightly brushing over the bandage.

Lavinia's eyes fluttered open slightly, registering his presence. She was too exhausted. Her heavy eyelids drooped shut again as she mumbled groggily, "Why are you back?"

Her voice was impossibly soft and sweet, laced with a sleepy innocence. Her little nose wrinkled in annoyance, clearly unhappy about being woken up.

Garnett smiled softly and sat down on the edge of the bed, quietly watching her sleep for a moment.

"Lavinia," he whispered gently. "I have to go on a business trip to Marina Island. If things go quickly, I'll be back in a day or two."

"Go then," she muttered, shrinking further under the covers.

"There's one more thing." He paused, his gaze fixed on her adorable, sleepy face. "I made an appointment with a specialist. In a few days, we're going in for a pre-pregnancy checkup."

That fully woke her up. Lavinia's eyes snapped open in sheer terror, staring wide-eyed at him.

"What did you say?"

"A pre-pregnancy checkup. Why are you so shocked?" Garnett laughed, placing two appointment slips on the nightstand.

He watched her for another moment. Her dumbstruck expression was actually quite cute.

"I'll make sure to be back in time. But," he added, "just in case I only get back from Marina Island on the day of the appointment, I might not have time to swing home to grab the paperwork. You bring the files and meet me at the hospital."

Lavinia just stared at him, completely speechless.

He lingered for a second longer before standing up. "I'm leaving now. Go back to sleep."

He walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Lavinia couldn't sleep anymore. She snatched the two slips off the nightstand and glared at them. They were appointments for a high-end private fertility clinic. A full screening there easily cost tens of thousands.

Was he out of his mind? Seriously?

How could they possibly have a kid with their relationship in this state?

Zoey: [On it.]

He put his phone down.

He had absolutely zero interest in Garnett Harper's messy drama with that woman. Sending Zoey to intervene was strictly to prevent the purchase from actually going through.

It would break her heart if it did.

***

Garnett, Sigrid, and Corinne arrived at Marina Island and checked straight into a hotel.

The second he stepped into his room, he took off his watch, planning to shower and go straight to sleep.

The doorbell rang. He frowned and walked over to open it.

Sigrid stood there in a silk slip dress that clung beautifully to her curves, her makeup flawlessly applied. The pearl necklace rested against her collarbone. She looked up at him, her gaze soft and inviting.

His heart sank slightly.

That necklace didn't rightfully belong to either of them.