CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: THE FUTURE MRS. THORNE MUST LIVE WELL AND STEADFASTLY

After resting for a while in the car, Natalie Vaughn’s mental state improved greatly. As Zane Thorne kept staring while the doctor applied medicine to her, Natalie started to feel embarrassed.

"Can you stop staring at me?"

After being slapped three times, her face must be quite a sight now.

Thinking about it, Natalie frowned.

Why does she always end up in a mess in front of Zane Thorne?

Natalie’s mouth couldn’t open properly, and her speech was unclear, so Zane Thorne didn’t catch her words. Seeing her wince from the pain while speaking, the man’s voice, filled with concern, was low and somewhat stern.

"If it hurts, don’t talk."

Zane Thorne felt a surge of annoyance, his brows knitted tightly, giving him an air of fury and gloom.

This was his second time bringing Natalie to the hospital. The young girl wasn’t spoiled; she endured injuries and bleeding alone. He hated people who were too delicate, but with Natalie, he always felt she was too stubborn.

He wished Natalie could be a bit more delicate.

Now, the extreme contrast of red and white falling on Natalie elicited more pity than admiration.

Zane Thorne raised his right hand to pinch his left wrist, feeling a dryness in his throat.

The craving for a cigarette hit.

Natalie couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Zane Thorne; if it weren’t for him being the first one to come to her aid and his good looks, she wouldn’t put up with his unpredictable temper.

Where is the demeanor from the car now? She thought Zane Thorne might have undergone a change after going to Altara, becoming more gentle.

It seems she was just too weak in the car, leading to an illusion of Zane’s gentleness.

Indeed, Zane Thorne is just this kind of person, and she finds it reassuring; if he were easy to change, it would be too boring.

This time, after being kidnapped, Natalie took on fifty percent of the responsibility herself, as the opponent was too stupid, and she stepped right into such a simple trap.

The more Natalie thought about it, the more embarrassed and depressed she felt.

Seeing her face suddenly fall, Zane Thorne thought it was because the doctor was too rough, causing her pain.

With unfriendly eyebrows and a not-so-good tone.

"Be gentle with your hands."

The doctor’s hand trembled, which was steady until now.

Natalie noticed Zane Thorne’s actions, understanding that he wanted to smoke.

"If you can’t wait, go outside; stop loitering here."

She felt uncomfortable with him standing here, and now he was taking out his temper on the doctor.

Upon hearing Natalie’s words, Zane Thorne’s chest was filled with unresolved agitation, his hands resting on his waist. The man now realized that Natalie had a knack for saying two words that fired him up without a place to vent.

Not wanting to see Natalie injured, Zane Thorne left the room to find a place where he could smoke.

Felix Langdon, who was on a call with the secretary, hung up quickly and followed him.

The autumn night’s wind was too cold; Zane Thorne took several tries before he managed to light his cigarette.

Having rushed here to save Natalie right after getting off the plane, he hadn’t been able to rest yet. His eyes were bloodshot, his eye sockets dry, only relaxing a bit after taking a puff of the cigarette.

Felix Langdon had seen Zane Thorne like this before, five years ago, but in a much more disheveled state, even risking his own life.

It was his first time seeing Zane in such a state over a woman.

He knew the kind of reaction Zane Thorne had over the call.

So, he posed the question he had asked Natalie to Zane.

"Mr. Thorne, have you fallen for her?"

The man leaning against the wall, puffing on his cigarette, dropped ash at Felix’s words; the glowing tip looked like an obsidian in the dark.

"I’m six years older than her. It’s only right to take care of her."

Only right to take care of her?

Felix Langdon raised an eyebrow, since when has age become something to worry about? They only cared about their preferences and interests, when did they conform to so-called principles?

He never expected to hear such words from Zane Thorne.

Not speaking of love, not mentioning feelings, he used this line to reply.

Zane Thorne’s thoughts weren’t hard to guess; he was someone who didn’t shy away from showing his likes and dislikes.

Felix Langdon thought, Zane Thorne hasn’t figured it out yet.

"In a few days, you’ll be registered and have a family; should we find some time to go out? I’ll arrange a bachelor party for you."

"We’ll see."

After Natalie finished with her treatment, not seeing Zane outside the ward, she decided to sit and wait on the chairs. Hospitals are colder than any other place, and Natalie hugged herself tightly, shivering.

When Zane Thorne returned from smoking, Natalie was direct.

"Let me borrow your jacket."

The man hesitated for a moment, noticing her trembling lips and recalling the warmth when he held her earlier.

With a furrowed brow, he took off his jacket and placed it over Natalie’s shoulders.

"A cold?"

Seeing the wounds on her face, Zane hadn’t considered the redness as a fever.

The inside of Zane Thorne’s jacket carried his natural warmth, and the scent on him hadn’t fully merged with the smoke yet, which Natalie greedily inhaled.

"Yeah, you should get me some cold medicine."

Zane Thorne glanced at Felix Langdon, who immediately raised his hands.

"Alright, I’ll go buy it."

Once Felix Langdon left, Zane’s unabashed gaze drifted back to Natalie.

In the past few days, the young girl had lost weight and now bore wounds on her hands, feet, and face.

Zane Thorne pressed his tongue against his cheek, beginning his settlement.

"Tell me, how did a karate expert end up like this?"

Natalie’s head was already drowsy; Zane’s words brought a wave of shame and annoyance.

Before leaving for Altara, Zane Thorne had sent her back to her apartment, where she laughed at his overthinking, even boldly claiming her skills would keep her safe.

The proud little cat refused to admit her mistakes in front of others, so Natalie blamed it on the cold.

"A headache, can’t think straight."

Seeing Natalie’s nonchalant attitude, the fire in Zane’s heart flared up again.

"Do you really not care about your health and safety?"

His voice was deep and heavy, the redness in his eyes intensified by fatigue added a sense of anger.

Natalie paused, not understanding the reason for Zane’s anger, tilted her head, and asked.

"Aren’t you the same?"

In his racing days, Zane Thorne was known for his daring recklessness that shocked many.

Even after leaving the field, at the club that day, he spoke of death-defying games without a second thought.

He accused her of not valuing her health and safety, but did he value his own?

Moreover, this kidnapping only resulted in a few slaps for her, and even if Zane hadn’t arrived, she had already untied herself and could have dealt with the man.

For years, despite his family’s lectures on racing, Zane Thorne always had ways to respond or simply ignored them. Yet, he hadn’t expected Natalie’s simple retort to leave him speechless.

Her alluring eyes, filled with mere curiosity, easily peered into his heart.

His throat moved sensuously several times, the man raised a hand to cover the young girl’s eyes.

He said.

"It’s not the same."

Natalie blinked, her long eyelashes tickling the man’s palm.

"How is it different?"

Zane Thorne leaned down to scoop Natalie up from the chair.

"I’m doing it for racing, what about you? Natalie, the future Mrs. Thorne must live safely and soundly."

Unscathed and without pain.