Chapter 537 Trauma
Nathaniel only managed to sleep for a little over two hours. The unfamiliar surroundings made him feel unsettled, but he found comfort in having Christina by his side.
When he opened his eyes, he saw Christina propping her head up with one hand while her delicate fingers lightly pinched his well-defined nose bridge.
Their eyes met, and a trace of uneasiness flashed in the woman’s gaze; she resembled a mischievous child caught in the act by a parent.
While Christina was caught off guard by Nathaniel’s sudden awakening, he stared at her fixedly.
Embarra*sed, Christina hastily withdrew her hand, her eyes shifting as she attempted to conceal her unusual behavior. “Um… There was a mosquito on your nose, and I was just trying to swat it. It’s not what you think.”
She felt a pang of regret as she noticed Nathaniel’s peculiar gaze, realizing that her words had only made the situation worse.
Just then, Nathaniel grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. “What was I thinking?”
Her heart started to race when she felt his warm breath brushing against her face; the man’s overwhelming seductive aura was utterly captivating.
Nathaniel leaned closer, determined to elicit a response. “Christina, tell me.”
There was no avoiding the topic any longer.
Resigned, Christina briefly closed her eyes, then quickly reopened them.
As she gazed into Nathaniel’s slightly fatigued yet still commanding face, she lowered her eyes and softly confessed, “I simply wanted to touch you. Please, don’t ask anymore-
Before she could finish her sentence, Nathaniel unexpectedly took her hands and pressed them against his face. He said gently. “Everything I possess belongs to you. Feel free to touch; there’s no need to do it secretly.”
After over five years of marriage, Nathaniel could sense the hidden insecurities Christina harbored although she never explicitly expressed herself.
Experiencing two consecutive dangers within a month had scared Christina, no matter how strong she appeared on the surface.
The warmth emanating from their joined palms traveled through Christina’s body and gave her immense
comfort.
In this world, no one understands my desires better than Nathaniel
Her ears flushed with a tinge of embarra*sment as she made her confession. “I had a nightmare. You saved me and lost…”
She hesitated, unable to utter those two haunting words.
When she recalled the gruesome scenes from her dream, her face turned pallid, and her voice quivered as she continued, “Nathaniel, promise me that no matter what lies ahead, you won’t put yourself in harm’s way. Your well-being must always come first.”
Nathaniel could guess the content of her dreams. He hugged her tightly and comforted her. “Dreams. often stand in contrast to reality. Don’t worry too much. Your safety and the well-being of our child are paramount.”
The nightmare continued to haunt Christina’s thoughts, but she couldn’t allow Nathaniel to worry. She had to appear at ease.
Hence, she lifted her head and mustered a smile. “You’re right. I shouldn’t let my imagination run wild.”
Her hand gently caressed her growing belly as she playfully complained, “Nathaniel, I’m famished.”
Hearing that, he helped her to sit up before replying. “I’ll have Sebastian bring some food. Just wait here, and I’ll fetch you a gla*s of water.”
Christina nodded obediently.
After sending Sebastian a message, Nathaniel got out of bed to fetch a gla*s of warm water for her.
Soon enough. Sebastian knocked on the door and entered the ward, carrying several packed food boxes.
The food Sebastian had brought two hours ago had turned cold and soggy. Upon receiving Nathaniel’s message, he swiftly headed out and purchased a fresh meal.
After Christina and Nathaniel finished eating, drowsiness began to overtake her once again.
Nathaniel quietly slipped out of the ward after ensuring she was sound asleep. He found Sebastian patiently waiting on a bench in the corridor.
“Have they apprehended the person who posed as the driver? What is the latest on Madison?” Nathaniel
asked.
With his focus fully on caring for Christina, there were numerous tasks demanding couldn’t personally oversee. Thus, he entrusted them to Sebastian.
However, he promised to settle the score eventually,
“They found the person, but he drowned in the river. Madison sustained severe injuries to her to neck. She can no longer speak, and the trauma has driven her to the brink of madness. She spends her time in a state of lucidity, plagued by the desire for self-destruction. To stabilize her emotions, she relies heavily on sedatives. It seems unlikely that we’ll get much information from her.”
Upon hearing Sebastian’s update, Nathaniel fell silent and got lost in his thoughts.
The former also kept quiet tacitly.
“Arrange for the most renowned psychiatric specialists, both domestic and international, to conduct a thorough psychological evaluation on Madison,” Nathaniel declared with an icy tone. “Since she can’t speak, let her communicate through writing. As long as she’s still alive, we may uncover something.” Sebastian’s heart skipped a beat at that. “Are you suspecting that Madison might be feigning insanity?”
In response, Nathaniel casted him a piercing sidelong glance.
Sensing the man’s displeasure, Sebastian hurriedly explained, “I’m sorry, Mr. Hadley. My relationship with the Taggart family isn’t great, so I typically refrain from involving myself in their affairs. I will investigate Madison’s medical history.”
A lunatic would never dare to venture into a desolate factory on the outskirts and try to harm Christina, unless they were incited or influenced by someone else. If no one was orchestrating the kidnapping. Madison might have been pretending to be insane to evade Nathaniel’s retribution.
Regardless of the truth, Sebastian was certain that neither Madison nor the Taggart family would meet a good end. Nathaniel would not allow them to remain as a lingering threat to Christina.
“Sebastian, I know you can separate personal matters from business.” Nathaniel patted Sebastian’s shoulder and continued, “Do not disappoint me.”
“Got it,” the man replied.
With that, Nathaniel turned around and entered the ward.
Christina slept soundly until the following morning. When Sebastian delivered her breakfast, he informed her that Nathaniel had to return to the company and would only be able to come to the hospital in the afternoon.
She was well aware of Nathaniel’s busy schedule, so it was quite a sacrifice for him to take care of her in the hospital the whole day.
“Sebastian, you can go and attend to your tasks. I’ll be fine on my own at the hospital,” Christina said. She didn’t like being constantly watched, and she knew Nathaniel shouldn’t be separated from his entourage.
Before Sebastian could refuse, the woman waved her phone in her hand. “I will explain it to Nathaniel myself. I won’t cause you any trouble, so you can rest a*sured and go back to the company. The hospital has security guards and nurses, so I’ll be safe.”
Unable to defy her wishes. Sebastian said, “I’ll head back first. If you need anything, you can call me anytime.”
Christina smiled faintly. “Okay, get there safely.”
Once Sebastian left, Christina felt more at ease. She continued eating her delicious, hearty breakfast.
Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open once again.
Assuming that Sebastian had returned midway, Christina said without raising her head. “Sebastian, what’s the matter?”
The person entering didn’t answer. After closing the door, she stood by the bedside.
As a pair of black heels caught Christina’s eye, she paused for a moment before looking up at the visitor.
“It’s only been a few days, and you’ve managed to get yourself admitted to the hospital. Christina, you truly are a harbinger of disaster,” said the visitor with a half-smile.
