The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1029

Ever since Everett told me he'd propose once he was ready, his nights had been swallowed up by work - or so I thought. He'd been coming home in the wee hours for several nights in a row.

But tonight, when he walked through the door reeking of something unfamiliar, I knew something was off.

"Everett, where have you been?" I didn't expect him to find me awake, considering it was past midnight.

Propping myself up on my elbows, I swung my legs off the bed and walked over to him, barefoot. "You weren't working late at the office, were you?"

Everett pressed his lips together, not saying a word.

"Come on, tell me. Were you or weren't you?"

"I was at the office."

"Liar." I frowned, "You know where you've been has a smell to it, right?"

Silence.

"You went to the hospital."

It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Growing up, hospitals had been like a second home to me. The smell was unmistakable.

The past few days, Everett would head straight to the guest bathroom for a shower upon returning, then join me in our room. I hadn't noticed anything amiss until tonight when he entered our bedroom to grab something. The distinct smell of sanitizer mixed with various medications hit me all at once.

"Just leave it be," Everett said, turning to leave.

I grabbed his arm. "Who's in the hospital? Your mom again?"

"I told you to drop it!"

His voice suddenly rose, startling me. He... he had never spoken to me with such impatience before.

In the dimly lit room, I couldn't quite make out Everett's expression. After a brief pause, I reached out to touch his hand.

"Is it serious this time? Everett, don't panic. With all the advancements in medicine these days, surely they can..."

"Will you be back tomorrow?"

"I don't know."

"Let me get you a jacket at least! Hospitals are cold, and I don't want you catching a cold." I thought he was heading back to the hospital.

But by the time I grabbed a jacket and returned, Everett was gone.

I rushed out, only to see the taillights of his car fading into the distance.

I figured his mom must have been rushed to the emergency room again, and this time it seemed more serious than ever.

The turmoil left me wide awake.

I made my way back to the living room, curled up on the couch, hugging my knees to my chest.

Whenever it came to Amanda, Everett's mom, things always got complicated for me...