Garrett’s lips twitched as he stepped aside, not wanting to interfere with Brandon’s performance.
He glanced at the deserted car,then back at the woman in front of him.He recalled Brandon’s message about finding Natalie,but where was she?Could this woman,who looked uncannily like Natalie,actually be her?
“Brandon…Have you found Natalie?”Garrett asked Resting weakly against Natalie,Brandon didn’t even muster the energy to glance at Garrett, much less offer an explanation.
Baffled, Garrett turned to Laney and whispered,”Where’s Natalie?And who is this woman?”
Equally perplexed by the situation,Laney replied,”I don’t know.”
Garrett and Laney studied the woman with suspicious eyes,attempting to decipher her identity Their sudden scrutiny made Natalie instantly guarded.Her grip on Brandon tightened nervously,and she bit her lip,not uttering a word.
Upon locking gazes with Natalie,Laney felt a strange sensation stir within her.
Drawing from her extensive experience as a bodyguard and her familiarity with Natalie, Laney deduced that the woman before her was not only a stranger to her but was also highly on guard,even around Brandon.
If it were Natalie,she wouldn’t feel unfamiliar around her,nor would she be wary of Brandon.
However,could there truly be two individuals so alike in the world?
Laney examined Natalie closely before turning to Brandon,asking,”Mr.Larson,who is this
Sensing subtle hostility emanating from Laney,Natalie’s defense instinctively rose.She swiftly adopted cold and impassive demeanor,addressing Brandon,”You’re safe now.My presence is no longer necessary.I’m leaving.”
With that,she brusquely handed over Brandon to Garrett.
Caught unawares by Natalie’s abrupt change in demeanor,Brandon nearly tumbled into Garrett’s arms.However,he managed to regain his balance and ended up back in Natalie’s arms.
Both Natalie and Garrett were rooted to the spot,taken aback by the unfolding events.
With no other choice,Natalie held onto Brandon,her beautiful face betraying her disbelief.
Following a day of relentless pursuit and combat,coupled with his injuries and excessive blood loss,Brandon’s physical strength was severely depleted.He had been fighting to stay conscious,just to keep Natalie by his side.
Yet,everyone around him seemed to disregard his injury, continuing their conversation at the entrance.His head spun, and he could barely keep himself conscious.
Leaning on Natalie’s arms, he came dangerously close to passing out several times.
Only when Brandon was truly on the verge of unconsciousness did they remember his still -bleeding wound.Garrett hastily suggested, “We should get Brandon inside to rest.”
Natalie gave a silent nod,struggling to a
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ssist Brandon into the room.
Laney,being observant and thoughtful, noticed Natalie’s struggle and was about to help.Suddenly,Brandon,who had been semi -conscious,shot her a chilling glance.
Taken aback,Laney withdrew her hand and subtly moved over to Garrett’s side.
Natalie,oblivious to this interaction,managed to get Brandon into the room and gingerly placed him on the bed.With the task accomplished,she sighed in relief,silently complaining,”This guy looks lean,but I didn’t expect him to be so heavy.”
As soon as Garrett entered the room,he began searching for a medical kit,voicing his concern as he rummaged,”Your wound looks quite serious.Should I call a doctor,or would you prefer to go to the hospital?”
Brandon’s intense gaze landed on Garrett,his annoyance palpable.He wished nothing more than for Garrett to leave immediately.
However,oblivious to the tense atmosphere, Garrett misinterpreted Brandon’s stare.He scratched his head awkwardly,saying,”Hey, don’t just stare at me.I know you’re grateful, but… “
Before he could complete his sentence,he noticed Brandon’s disgusted expression and silent command.”Leave.”
Garrett was taken aback,his heart sinking. After all his efforts to help his friend Brandon, he still received contempt in return.
That hurt.
Seeing Garrett still in the room,Brandon’s expression darkened further.He gestured for him to leave,making it clear that he wanted him out Eventually,Laney intervened.She rolled her eyes and gently ushered the disheartened Garrett out of the room.
Laney quietly closed the door behind her.As she turned,she found Garrett’s eyes locked on the door in a glare.
Laney exhaled in mild frustration,querying,”Why are you being so childish?”
His fists tightened as Garrett shot Laney an irritated look.”You’re Natalie’s friend.Don’tyou feel angry on her behalf?”
Laney looked perplexed.”Angry?Why would I be?”
“Humph!”Garrett huffed,his eyes full of contempt for Brandon,yet also filled with sympathy.”Brandon’s such a jerk.He c ouldn’t find Natalie,so he simply found a woman who resembles her as are placement.”
Seeing his fury,Laney couldn’t resist teasing him,”If I were to disappear,would you find a replacement for me?”
“Brandon’s such a jerk.He couldn’t find Natalie,so he simply found awoman who resembles her as are placement.”
Seeing his fury,Laney couldn’t resist teasing him,”If I were to disappear,would you finda replacement for me?”
“Absolutely not!”Garrett affirmed.”I only want you.If you were to disappear,I’d search for you,no matter where you are.”
The resolve in his eyes rendered Laney momentarily stunned.But before she couldfully absorb the sentiment,he was already clenching his fist,ready to storm into the room.He protested,”I can’t let Brandon make such a grave error.He must be deeply grieved after losing Natalie.I need to reason with him…”
Laney rolled her eyes yet again.
“No need.Let’s leave,”she suggested,guidinghim towards her room.”You always worry excessively.”
“No!It’s a necessary worry!”His fingers interlaced with hers,a sense of elation evident on his face,albeit his words suggested otherwise.”I’m helping Brandon.IfNatalie returns and finds out he’s with another woman,she’d be devastated.”
Expressionless,Laney playfully smacked himon the head.”You’re an idiot.”
He yelped,”Why’d you hit me?”
“Because you’re excessively foolish.Haven’tyou noticed?That woman earlier,she’s Natalie.”Garrett was stunned.”How could that be?It’sonly been three months.Why does she lookso different?Even if she underwent cosmetic surgery,there should be a recovery period.Butit doesn’tlook like she’s had any surgery.”Laney was equally puzzled.”I’m not sure whyshe looks so drastically different,but havingknown her for so long,I could sense that sheis Natalie.”
Garrett was flabbergasted.”Is she really Natalie?Does Brandon know?”
Laney rolled her eyes at him,replying,”Doyou think everyone’s as dense as you?Brandon adores Natalie.He must have recognized her instantly.”
Garrett scratched his head awkwardly,preparing to argue his case,when Laney shothim a squintedlook.”If my appearance wereto change one day,or if my face were tobecome disfigured,wouldn’t you recognizeme?”
Garrett shook his head promptly,trying toplacate her.”Of course,I’d recognize you!Nomatter how you change,I’d be the first one torecognize you.Even if you transformed intoa guy,you’d still be my wife!”
He pledged his loyalty.
Laney averted her gaze,snorting,”Finally,some wisdom.”
******
Meanwhile,Natalie had just laid Brandon onthe bed and adjusted his pillow.As sheturned around,she realized they werealone.
In the isolated room,she was left alone withthis stranger.The scent of blood was quicklypervading the room.
Casting a glance at Brandon’s blood-stained shirt,she queried,her brows knitted inconfusion,”Where did they go?Why didn’tthey attend to your wounds?”
Faced with Natalie’s displeasure,Brandon tried to deceive her.”I barely know those two. They probably didn’t want to get involved,so they left me here.”
Brandon painted Garrett and Laney as villainous figures.
But Natalie wasn’t naive.The more he protested,the more suspicious she became. She had clearly observed the pair’s genuine concern for Brandon’s injury,especially the man who had been inquiring about Brandon’s health.Their relationship clearly wasn’t as distant as he claimed.
“It’s not proper for us to be alone in this room. Plus,it’s late,I need to go back.”As she spoke, she moved towards the door.”Ill call them in to treat your wound.”
Before she could finish,a pained cry from Brandon halted her.
Reacting instinctively,she quickly moved to his bedside,inspecting his injury with worry.
“What’s wrong?Are you still in pain?”
Slumped weakly against the headboard, Brandon said,”I need to bandage my wound. Could you get the first aid kit?”
Seeing him on the brink of fainting,she felt a pang of heartache and dismissed any thoughts of leaving.She fetched the first aid kit,placing it on the bedside table as he had instructed.
She glanced at the first aid kit,then at Brandon lying on the bed.”I don’t have any experience in wound treatment…What should I do?”
Despite his pale countenance,Brandon managed a comforting smile.”It’s okay. Don’t worry.I’ll guide myself.You just need to assist me.”
Swallowing her apprehension,she nodded. Brandon began tearing the hem of his shirt.
Blood had already soaked the fabric,adhering it to the wound.As Brandon tore the shirt away,fresh blood welled up,quickly staining the bed sheet crimson.