?<strong>Chapter 871:</strong>


    Lucas’ smile grew faintly mischievous, and he offered a half-hearted apology.


    “Sorry.”


    Belinda didn’t respond. She turned on her heel and headed toward the bathroom.


    As Lucas watched her retreating figure, the yful grin slipped from his face. His features grew serious, his brows furrowing in quiet contemtion. There was something he hadn’t told her, something that weighed heavily on his mind.


    He couldn’t shake the suspicion that the hormone medication Belinda had identally taken as a child might somehow have something to do with Holley. But for now, he decided it was best not to tell Belinda about this.


    That night, Belinday quietly on the bed beside Lucas’ hospital bed. Sleep eluded her as her thoughts churned. But she remained perfectly still, not wanting to disturb Lucas’ rest with her movement.


    The room was steeped in silence, broken only by the faint rhythm of Lucas’ breathing. Suddenly, the quiet was interrupted by a soft rustling sound. Belinda froze, her senses sharpening as she heard movementing from Lucas’ bed.


    The moment Belinda heard movement from Lucas’ bed, she sprang out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and hurried over to Lucas.


    “What’s wrong? Do you need to use the bathroom?” she asked, her voiceced with concern as she leaned down to help Lucas sit up. But before she could steady him fully, Lucas tugged her closer with a firm but gentle pull, causing her to stumble toward the bed.


    “You!” Belinda eximed, startled. Her hand instinctivelynded on his shoulder for bnce, her wide eyes locking onto his.


    “Lucas, what are you doing? You—”


    Before Belinda could finish speaking, Lucas interjected, “Sleep in my bed with me.”


    Belinda stammered, taken aback by his words.


    Lucas’ gaze bore into hers, his eyes impossible to look away from.


    “Tonight, I will sleep by your side.”


    Belinda’s breath hitched, her pupils narrowing in shock. She stared at Lucas, her lips parting as if to respond, but no words came out.


    With a casual raise of his brow, Lucas leaned forward slightly.


    “Do I need to make you?” he teased, already reaching for her.


    “Stop!” Belinda snapped, her cheeks flushing as she smacked his hand away.


    Lucas stopped moving, though his intense gaze never wavered from her.


    After a tense pause, Belinda let out a reluctant sigh, slipped off her shoes, and climbed into the bed beside Lucas.


    The bed was big enough for the two of them to liefortably. Once Belinday down, Lucas moved to lie on his side to avoid touching his injury. He then pulled Belinda into his arms.


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