The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 420

+15 8rms

Hotch Wakes Up

MARY’S POV:

His mouth opened wide, then snapped shut, then opened up again. Not a single sound came out of his throat. He looked just like a fish washed up on the grass gasping for air, his pale face cycling through a whole series of different emotions, total confusion, deep anger, and complete disbelief. The bright red handprint from where I had slapped his cheek back in the driveway was still clearly visible on his skin, serving as a loud reminder of what had just happened. He looked as though he desperately wanted to argue back, but the right words simply would not come to his mind.

Marl just stood there staring down at him with a mocking look, raising one dark eyebrow while his lips curved up into a faint, quiet smile. He looked as though he were patiently waiting to see what kind of foolish excuse Alistair would try to invent next, clearly enjoying the entire pathetic spectacle unfolding in front of us. The heavy silence stretched out between the two men, thick, awkward, and extremely uncomfortable.

Marl even raised his left arm, pulling back his torn suit sleeve, the one that had been shredded to pieces when he smashed through the glass window of his car, and held it right up in front of Alistair’s face. The expensive fabric was completely ruined, the edges frayed and ragged, with a dark red stain sitting near the cuff. The bare skin underneath was covered in deep scratches and raw cuts, serving as clear proof of the violent struggle that had taken place just half an hour ago.

Sitting there watching them, I suddenly realized that Marl and I shared a strange, quiet understanding between us. It was not just something that happened when we were cracking jokes back and forth in the quiet hallway. I seemed to be able to read every single mocking expression that crossed his face, and I even had a strong feeling inside my chest about what he was going to say or do next. The subtle tilt of his head, the way his dark eyes crinkled at the edges, and the tiny, almost invisible shrug of his broad shoulders, it all felt completely familiar. It felt as though the two of us had known each other for many long years, rather than just a few short weeks.

He was clearly just a complete stranger in my life, yet I felt an strange, unexplainable sense of deep comfort whenever he was standing near me.

The thing that was confusing me the most right now was the strange way Vesper was behaving. By all logic, she should have started throwing a massive dramatic temper tantrum by now. She should have been crying at the top of her lungs, wailing loudly, and making sure every single person in the hallway was looking at her. She should have been clutching her foot, groaning in fake pain, and demanding that the doctors drop everything to focus on her. But strangely enough, she did not make another sound. She just sat quietly on the edge of the bed holding back her tears, her eyes glistening wetly and her lower lip trembling, as if she were waiting patiently for Alistair to turn his head around and look at her.

She was waiting quietly. Watching every single move. Biding her time for the right moment.

I could see the sharp calculation shining inside her dark eyes, the careful way she was measuring all her options. She was studying the room, trying to figure out which move would give her the biggest advantage. She was far too smart to waste her energy fighting a battle she knew she could not win right now.

Just then, the tired doctor poked his head out from behind the heavy double doors of the room behind us. “Your friend Mr. Hotch has finally regained consciousness. You may step inside to see him now.”

I quickly stood up from my chair, preparing to follow Marl inside the room, but he reached out his hand and stopped me in my tracks.

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