Chapter 228

"Are you done, Mr. Castillo? Anything else?"

"If you're done, get out."

Royce lifted his chin, his voice cold.

I knew what Royce was planning, and my face flushed. I couldn't help but grab the blanket, feeling a bit nervous.

I silently mocked myself. I'm a mother of three, yet I still get butterflies like this?

"Why? Caroline just woke up. I should stay..."

She didn't finish her sentence because Royce's icy glare was too obvious. She shrank back and walked out.

Savannah left the room, closing the door behind her.

Royce's gaze was fixed on me, the implication in his eyes clear.

I felt embarrassed and avoided his gaze, looking down.

The cut on his lip was too noticeable to ignore.

"You're hurt. Do you want to clean it up?"

I coughed lightly and spoke softly.

Royce wiped his lip with his thumb. He was undeniably a very mature man. Every move he made exuded an innate elegance and nobility.

This was a quality Brandon could never imitate.

"It's nothing, doesn't interfere with anything."

His words were heavily suggestive, making my face turn even redder.

I shrank back, unable to meet his gaze.

But he reached out, turning my face towards him, leaning in closer.

I nervously closed my eyes, my eyelashes trembling.

I could feel his breath on my face, warm and ticklish.

Just as I felt the warmth of his lips, the phone by the bed rang.

Royce frowned. I instinctively reached for the phone, but he grabbed my hand. "Ignore it."

I glanced at the caller ID. It was Kathy.

"If I don't answer, she'll keep calling. You know how persistent Kathy is."

Royce cursed under his breath, sitting back with a displeased expression.

Feeling a bit awkward, I picked up the phone.

"Kathy?"

"Thank God you're awake! How could you just faint like that?"

"That damn Brandon, he's definitely going to hell."

"Don't worry, your mom doesn't suspect a thing. Do you need me to come see you?"

I quickly said no. "I'll be heading home soon. Let's talk more when I get back."

"Alright, hurry back."

After hanging up, I looked at Royce, feeling a bit uneasy. "I should head home."

He sighed deeply. "Let's go."

Seeing his helpless expression, I couldn't help but smile secretly. I actually enjoyed seeing this side of Royce, the one who couldn't always get his way.

He helped me pack my things while I changed out of the hospital gown in the bathroom. We headed downstairs and got into the car.

Savannah was in the driver's seat, and Royce and I sat in the back.

Royce must have rescheduled a lot to come here. As soon as we got in the car, he started taking calls non-stop, his expression growing more serious.

"Alright, I understand. I'll be back tomorrow. Handle things there for now."

I watched his furrowed brow. "You're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, there's still some unfinished business in Skyview City. I'll head back tomorrow."

"I'll call you once I have news, and you can come back too."

I nodded, understanding what he meant by "news."

Royce had been working hard to find this child. If I didn't recognize his feelings for me now, I'd be too heartless.

That's why I made the move today, responding to Royce's feelings.

I whispered, "Thank you."

He smiled gently, patting my head.

"It's nothing."

I looked up and saw Savannah glancing at us through the rearview mirror, her expression gossipy.

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly pulled away from Royce.

Royce seemed to notice too, giving Savannah a warning look.

She immediately focused on the road, not daring to look back.

When we arrived at my house, Kathy was waiting at the door.

She rushed over as soon as she saw me. "You're finally back! Do you know how worried I was? Why did you faint?"

"Weren't you meeting Alfonso today? Did he hit you?"

Her barrage of questions left me a bit helpless. "Which one do you want me to answer first?"

"Let's go inside first, okay?"

Kathy finally realized and led us inside.

On the way, Kathy kept glancing at Royce curiously.

"When did you get here?"

Royce was still annoyed about Kathy interrupting him at the hospital, his expression cold.

"Just now. He was at the hospital the whole time."

I asked Savannah to take Royce to the living room while I pulled Kathy into her room.

I knew some things needed to be said privately.

"What's going on?"

"You're fully recovered now. Why did you faint?"

"Because Alfonso threatened me."

"Threatened you? He doesn't have anything on you. How could he threaten you?"

"Do you remember when we came back from Silverpeak City, and I was holding Aria?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"I found out a secret at the hospital in Silverpeak City. Aria isn't my biological child. She was switched at birth."

Kathy's eyes widened in disbelief.

"How is that possible? Did Brandon do it?"

I nodded. "His whole family, and Karen was involved too."

"That whole family is awful. If Karen were still alive, I'd slap her."

"Getting worse with age."

She cursed angrily but then realized something. "Wait, who else knows about this?"

My expression froze. I knew Kathy would pick up on this.

"Savannah, Royce, Simon."

"They all know."

Kathy's face turned angry.

"So everyone knew? Except me?"

"Caroline, you kept this from me? Do you even consider me a friend?"

I sighed. I knew Kathy would be upset. I was prepared for this when I decided to keep it from her.

"I didn't mean to hide it from you. Do you know why I'm still raising Aria? Because I've grown attached to her."

"But I was afraid you wouldn't support me. I was afraid you'd want me to send her away because she's Brandon's child with another woman."

"I was afraid of your reaction, so I didn't tell you, Kathy."

"I didn't mean to keep it from you."