BookToReadChapter 210 She didn't cacross as the scheming, manipulative type. And as for McNeil, there was no way a man like him could have climbed so high without sharp instincts. He wasn't a fool.
Now he wondered if he'd missed something. He needed a reasonable explanation —one that had nothing to do with Victoria.
Restless and unsettled, McNeil picked up his phone almost without thinking and dialed Victoria's number.
Victoria was still at the hospital, getting a physical therapy session from the doctor.
Marcus had been by her side the whole time.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtMax, clearly worried, hovered nearby as well-fetching things for the doctor, fussing over Victoria, and generally being far more attentive than usual.
When the doctor prepared to adjust Victoria's ankle, Max couldn't help but keep repeating, "Please be gentle," as if that might somehow protect her.
Marcus found it odd. Max had never shown much concern for anyone, but with Victoria, he was a different person.
Victoria had already had an X-ray; the bone was slightly out of place.
Thankfully, Marcus had gotten her to the hospital quickly-if they'd waited any longer, it might have been the end of her dancing days.
"It's just a mild dislocation and a hairline fracture," the doctor reassured her. "Nothing as bad as you all seem to think." Maybe it was Max's anxious, adorable face that warmed Victoria's heart. She felt a strange comfort, despite the pain.
She remembered a tbefore Gwyneth lived with Violet. Once, when Victoria had smashed her finger, little Gwyneth had crowded close, her face scrunched with worry, trying to blow on her injured hand and asking through tears if it hurt.
Victoria knew her daughter had truly loved her then. But now, everything had changed.
"It's just a quick adjustment," Victoria said, trying to sound brave. "It won't hurt that much. I'll get through it." Marcus joined in, "I broke my leg once, remember? The doctor set it, and I was fine in no time." Max fixed Marcus with a suspicious look. "Really? Grandma toldthat when you broke your leg as a teenager, you cried so loud half the street could hear you Marcus shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. Max immediately zipped his lips.
Victoria couldn't help but stifle a laugh, noticing the tips of Marcus's ears turning red with embarrassment. "Don't listen to the nonsense kids make up," he muttered, with a warning look at Max that clearly meant, 'Say another word and you're grounded.' The doctor took hold of Victoria's ankle, his tone both professional and teasing. "Why don't you have your boyfriend and your nephew keep talking to you? Distraction helps-setting a joint does sting a little, but if you chat, it'll be over before you know it." Marcus seemed rather pleased at being called her "boyfriend," but Victoria was focused on her foot. When the doctor's hands touched her ankle, a wave of fear hit her.
Just then, her phone blared to life, the sudden ringtone making her jump. The caller ID made her heart sink.
McNeil? Why was he calling her now? Maybe it had something to do with his daughter-perhaps he was busy picking up Violet from the hospital and needed Victoria to watch Gwyneth.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmWith that thought, Victoria quickly answered.
But on the other end, there was only silence.
She tried, "Hello?" but still, no one replied.
At that moment, the doctor saw she was distracted by the call. Without warning, he pressed firmly on her ankle, realigning the bone. The sudden pain made Victoria let out a long, piercing cry.
Through the phone, McNeil heard it all. The sound, sharp and drawn-out, sent a jolt through him-filling his mind with all sorts of wild and ambiguous images.
He had just stepped out of his car when he heard Victoria's cry through the phone. His expression darkened immediately as he caught his own reflection in the window-his jaw clenched, eyes stormy-and for a split second, he almost lost control.
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