Chapter 9

Chapter 09:

Kane's POV

“Caroline!”

She didn't respond.

I panicked, tightening my grip on her. Her body was slack in my arms, her breathing shallow.

“Shit!” I muttered under my breath.

I didn't even take time to think. I searched her bag quickly for her apartment key.

And I had found it, I scooped her into my arms and rushed towards her apartment.

The place was small and quiet. It smelled faintly of paint and something sweet. I barely registered it as I laid her carefully on the couch.

“Caroline,” I tried again, brushing her hair back.

There was no response.

I could feel my pulse beating faster. What was wrong with her?

Then something caught my eye. There was a small paper bag on the counter, prescription bottles half-spilling out.

Painkillers. Supplements. And some medications I didn't recognize.

This was my chance to gather some clues about what she was hiding.

I hit myself immediately when the thought came in. What was I thinking?

My gaze went back to the medications. I shouldn’t act on my thoughts but there's no guarantee that I'll have another chance like this.

My jaw tightened as I strolled over and grabbed one.

The front door suddenly burst open.

“What the hell…”

I turned sharply.

A woman stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes locked on me then shifted to Caroline's laying on the couch.

For a second, she didn't move while her face drained of color. Then her expression shifted.

Was it fear? Anger? I couldn't really tell.

I stood up and faced her. “Caroline, she…”

She pushed past me and knelt beside Caroline.

“Shit!” She cursed under her breath as she inspected Caroline's unconscious body.

She turned sharply back at me.

“Who are you?” She demanded.

I met her glare. “Kane Brown.”

Her eyes widened with recognition.

Interesting, it seems like Caroline mentioned me.

“What happened to her?” she asked, her voice full of concern.

I heaved a sigh, rubbing my temple. “Well, I drove her home and when we got here, she just collapsed all of a sudden.”

She didn't look convinced. She looked back at Caroline and checked her pulse.

After a moment, she exhaled, her shoulders eased up a little. But when she turned back to me, her expression was stone-cold.

“You need to leave.”

I didn't move. “Not happening.”

She narrowed her eyes on me. “I don't know what game you're playing at but Caroline doesn't need this right now.”

I clenched my jaw. “I'm not playing any game and you're right, she doesn't need this. She needs a doctor, I'll call my private doctor to come over now and give her a check up.”

I reached for my phone but the woman immediately snatched it away from my hand.

“You're not calling anyone.” she said with a firm voice.

I forced myself to be cool. “You've got to be kidding me. She collapsed in front of me. And it looks like you know why.”

She tensed.

I took a slow step forward, lowering my voice. “I won't ask you what it is but tell me…. Is she sick?”

Something like worry flickered in her face. She hesitated for a bit then shook her head.

“This isn't your concern…” she said tightly.

“The hell it isn't….” I shot back. “I..”

I stopped myself. What did I want to say?

I what? I care?

I barely knew anything about her. I wasn't supposed to care.

I exhaled slowly, my hands flexing at my sides. I wasn't going to get anything out of her.

“Just tell her I was around.” I said, forcing a smile, then stretching out my hand. “My phone?”

The lady hesitated like I was going to call the doctor the moment I got the phone.

I just took it from her and put it into my pocket.

I slipped the bottle of medication back on the table.

I should trust Caroline, earlier before she collapsed, she had let her guard down a bit.

I gave Caroline one last glance before turning toward the door.

And if she refused to tell me, I'd find out what was going on. One way or another.

Caroline POV

The thing I noticed was the weight in my chest and every breath I took was heavier than the last. I tried focusing on the ceiling but my vision was a blur.

Something was off. I wasn't in Kane's car anymore. I was home but how?

Then it hit me. The car. Kane. His voice shouting my name.

I tried sitting upright but a wave of dizziness hit me, forcing me back down. I struggled to steady my breath as my head throbbed.

“You’re awake.” a voice cut through the haze.

I turned, finding Gina perched on the arm of the couch with her arms crossed.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice came out sore.

“You tell me,” she countered. “I come home to find a man carrying you inside like you were about to die in his arms.”

Uurgh, Kane.

I swallowed, pushing back the wave of memories.

“I'm fine,” I muttered, swinging my legs over the couch.

I instantly regretted it. The whole world seemed to tilt and Gina caught me in seconds just before I could collapse again.

“Fine? You collapsed, Caro. And apparently once wasn't enough for you.” She huffed, shaking her head. “The worst part of all this is you collapsed in front of Kane and he looked… I don't know… desperate.”

I managed to give a dry laugh. “Kane? Desperate? Very unlikely.”

Gina didn't laugh. “Then why did he stay?”

My breath hitched. “He stayed here?

Gina nodded. “Pacing like a caged animal. He left just before you woke up, but Caroline,” her voice sharpened. “What are you doing?”

“What?”

“I thought you were trying to hide your pregnancy from him. Not fall into his arms like a helpless maiden.”

I heaved a huge sigh. “It wasn't like that. I didn't mean to….”

“Oh really?” Gina raised a brow. “Then tell me why Kane Brown, a man you've been trying to avoid like a plague, was carrying you in here like his world just caved in?”

I didn't answer. She was right. Why would Kane care?

But judging from what she said, he did.

Gina sighed, shaking her head. “You need to be careful, Caroline. He's not stupid. If he was watching you this closely, then he's already suspicious.”

I felt a chill down my spine. “Do you think he knows?”

Gina hesitated. “You better hope he doesn't. But you collapsing in front of him? Oooh girl, that's going to make him ask questions?”

Oh God. How did I get myself into this mess?

I swallowed hard. “I’ll handle it.”

She gave me a long look. “You sure about that? Cause from where I'm standing, you just let Kane Brown get closer to you in one night than you have in months”

I opened my mouth to argue but no words came out.

At this point, I felt tempted to reveal the truth.

But I couldn't tell him yet, not when there's a risk of Kane branding me as a gold digger.

Gina was right

And if I wasn't careful, Kane would find out before I had the chance to tell him.