The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 472

Stella decided not to push it. Suzie was radiating heat; her temperature was dangerously high and she needed a doctor immediately. Stella hurried around the front and climbed into the passenger seat.

As the car sped down the road, Stella kept glancing over her shoulder. Suzie seemed to have fallen back asleep, a feverish flush painting her cheeks. But she was no longer just sitting on the leather seat—she was resting entirely on Jamie's lap.

He had one arm tucked beneath her neck, supporting her back, while his other hand held her securely by the waist. He was cradling her the way a parent might soothe a sick child.

There was no way Suzie had agreed to that positioning. Jamie had clearly taken advantage of her falling asleep to pull her into his arms.

Stella shot him a withering glare before turning around and sitting rigidly in her seat.

Jamie, completely unbothered, kept his gaze locked on the fragile woman in his arms. His eyes were brimming with heartache, refusing to look away from her face for even a second. His hold tightened imperceptibly, as if he were guarding a priceless treasure.

Perhaps the slight shift in pressure roused her, because Suzie's eyes fluttered, blinking heavily in a daze. Exhausted by the severe fever, she managed a few weak blinks before her eyes slid shut once more.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor diagnosed her with a sudden, severe fever but found no other immediate complications. Once she was admitted and hooked up to an IV, Jamie pulled up a chair and refused to leave her bedside.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Jamie's smooth, unhurried voice. "Ms. Vance, I don't owe you an explanation, but you have no right to stand in the way of me winning Suzie back."

His calm delivery only ignited Stella's fury. Keeping her voice to a furious whisper, she snapped, "And where exactly were you before, Mr. Baylor? Setting aside the cheating rumors, you treated Suzie like ice from the day you two got married. I can't even count the amount of grief she suffered because of you."

Stella leaned forward, eyes blazing. "There are plenty of women out there. With your money and that face, you could have anyone you want. Why go out of your way to hurt Suzie again? You want her back? Please. You're just a guy whose ego can't handle the fact that he got dumped."

Jamie's expression instantly frosted over. "Did anyone ever teach you to stay out of other people's private lives?" he replied coldly. "Especially their relationships. Whether she comes back to me is entirely her choice. You're her friend, not her keeper. Even her family wouldn't have the right to interfere."