Chapter 41. Not Now, Not Ever

“Where have you been?” I asked, the disappointment evident in my voice. “It has been a while since I last saw you.”

I didn’t want to sound like a jealous girlfriend, but my tone and expression gave me away. River was also too observant to notice, causing him to chuckle.

“I’m sorry. I just needed to take care of some… things.” It even looked like he was hesitating when he said those words. “I should have come back earlier. I didn’t even have an idea that this was too bad.”

“What?” I frowned. “Do you have an idea that this will happen to me—”

My head spun before I could even finish my sentence. If River wasn’t holding onto me, I might have stumbled to the floor again, just like what I did a few days ago.

“Shit,” I muttered, my breath hot and ragged. “I’m not feeling good. Maybe I’ll just go back to my room—”

“No,” River interrupted, holding onto me tightly so I won’t be able to move. He frowned as his expression became dark. “This won’t do. I’m call