Chapter 289 Holding Her Hand in a Dream
Ashley wrapped up her check-up, got the all-clear, and found Hendrix hanging out by the door. "How long have you been waiting? Weren't you supposed to see the orthopedist? And stay in the hospital for observation? How'd you sneak out?"
Hendrix looked all serious, like his word was law. "This hospital just isn't my scene. You're right; I should head to my hospital, so I don't need to worry about seeing anyone I don't want to."
Ashley didn't bother asking who he meant. If it was orthopedics, it must be Hayden.
"Let's get out of here." Ashley was done with this place. Running into Hayden would just remind her of Damian. And even if she didn't want to think about it, Hayden might go and talk to him.
Seeing her ready to bolt, Hendrix chuckled, "Not a fan of this place either? Next time, let's hit up Serenity Heights Medical Center for your follow-up. I'll hook you up with the best doc. You know our Serenity Heights has top-notch neurology and neurosurgery, perfect for head injuries."
Ashley smirked, "Thanks, but my head's fine."
Hendrix mumbled, "Fine, my foot. Your brain's so big, you should share some with me."
"What was that?" Ashley asked.
"Hmm? I said I can't make it to the law firm these days. Got a ton of work, so they'll have to send the docs to my place." Hendrix said.
Ashley didn't get why he was grinning and kept walking.
Hendrix's private driver pushed his wheelchair while Ashley strolled beside him, chatting about the case now and then.
Turning a corner, she spotted a tall figure in the sparse crowd. Even without a close look, she knew it was Damian.
He had this icy vibe, like a ten-foot warning sign to keep people away.
Ashley turned her head, pretending not to see him, and picked up her pace.
Damian saw Ashley and Hendrix side by side, laughing and chatting like they had all the time in the world.
In that moment, he felt a pang of jealousy. It was like a wildfire, a poison, choking and deadly.
His throat hurt. He'd been battling insomnia and a sore throat for a week, and now it was worse.
"Mr. Hearst?" Jessica's eyes lit up with surprise and delight when she saw Damian. From afar, she'd noticed a man with a unique aura but hadn't dared to think it was him.
Damian replied coolly, "Jessica."
Jessica clutched her handbag tighter, trying not to show any unusual reaction. She smiled softly, "I came to see my uncle. He's swamped with outpatient appointments today. Maybe more people are getting fevers with the weather change. Mr. Hearst, what happened to your arm?"
Seeing the bandage on his arm, Jessica's concern was evident.
Damian shrugged it off, "It's nothing."
Jessica didn't push and said sensibly, "Mr. Hearst, are you leaving? Got something urgent?"
"Yeah," Damian said.
Jessica, anxious, blurted out, "If it's not urgent, why not stay?"
Damian frowned slightly, "Why?"
"Your insomnia's been worse lately. Phone consultations have their limits. I want to give you a face-to-face diagnosis to make sure there's no mistake," Jessica said.
Damian, already in a foul mood from his insomnia, didn't argue, "Get in the car."
"Okay," Jessica said.
The car cruised smoothly towards Damian's villa.
Though the place was luxurious and in a prime spot, Damian never saw it as home. He only went there for treatment, so it felt cold and lifeless.
Jessica sighed inwardly.
Whether it was the villa or his office, to Damian, she was just a doctor, nothing more.
She hadn't even been to his real home.
As usual, Damian lay there quietly, eyes shut, not saying a word. Jessica just stared at his face.
It had been a while since she last saw him. He looked thinner, his jawline sharper, and those long lashes cast shadows over faint dark circles.
What was eating at him? How did he hurt his arm?
Three years together, and she still didn't have the right to ask about his personal life.
"Not starting yet?" Damian asked.
"Almost ready, just a sec," Jessica replied.
She gently pulled his arm closer and began the hypnosis induction.
After forty minutes, he finally relaxed, his breathing deep and steady, and he drifted off to sleep.
This time, it took ten minutes longer than last. He needed more and more time for hypnosis.
Why was he getting worse? Was her treatment method flawed?
Jessica quietly studied his face, her fingers tracing the outline of his features in the air, carefully sketching each line, wanting to imprint it by her fingertips.
A crazy thought kept growing in her mind—she wanted to kiss him.
Those sealed lips held the most wonderful taste in the world. She wasn't greedy; just one kiss would be enough.
Driven by her thoughts, Jessica leaned in slowly, inch by inch, feeling Damian's breath on her face, warm, alluring, and dangerously charming.
Jessica's heart almost stopped, her whole body trembling with excitement.
"Jessica?" Someone suddenly spoke outside the door, and Jessica stood up in a panic, feeling like her soul had been scared out of her. "What is it?"
The butler reminded, "Mr. Hearst said that after he falls asleep, the driver will take you home."
Jessica reluctantly said, "Tell him to wait five minutes. I'll be quick."
"Okay, Jessica," the butler said.
The footsteps outside the door faded away.
Jessica, still shaken, clutched her chest and slowly squatted down, her fingertips gently touching his long fingers.
His jade-like hand, with the allure of an artist, seemed to promise a new world if she held it.
Jessica held her breath and gently squeezed. Suddenly, she was stunned. Damian, in his sleep, had grabbed her hand!
Jessica covered her mouth in shock, afraid of making a sound.
Damian was holding her hand?
Damian's palm was dry and warm, perfectly enveloping her fingers. It was so fitting, so inclusive, and so gentle.
Jessica's eyes filled with tears, and they spilled over.
The next day, Ashley returned to the law firm and, unsurprisingly, saw fresh red roses again.
How long would Sean keep this up?
"Ashley! Ashley! You're finally back!" Hannah joyfully ran over and gave her a big hug.
Ashley poked her head and gently pushed her away, "Did your thesis pass?"
Hannah had been secluded, writing her thesis and preparing for her defense, ignoring everything else. After much effort, she passed her thesis defense and even won an excellent thesis award, gaining some recognition.
Seeing Ashley, she happily presented her certificate, "Ashley, am I qualified to be your apprentice now?"
Watching her abilities develop step by step, Ashley was very happy for her. "It's still a bit early to be my apprentice. Let's start with a case to get some practice."
"Great! Great! What case?" Hannah said.
Ashley handed her a thick stack of files from the drawer, "Tina Robert's divorce case."
"Oh! I know this one. You and Lynn are working on it together. I heard she's been very diligent, clearly trying to outshine you! She just went out to meet the client, looking all smug. It made me so mad!" Hannah said.
Ashley said, "The case hasn't even started yet. What's the point of being arrogant now? Let's see what happens later."
Hannah leaned half her body on the desk, her face almost touching Ashley's nose, and smiled mischievously, "Ashley, do you have a secret weapon? How about we also meet with Tina and get her to switch lawyers so only you represent her?"
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