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Novel Catalog
Chapter 5
Eden’s heart raced as she searched frantically under the bed, her fingers brushing against the cold floor. She could not afford to lose that handkerchief—it was a memento of her daughter, a painting she’d poured her heart into. Her mind raced back to the moment she had pressed it to the man’s head to stop the bleeding. It had been her daughter’s most cherished artwork, and now it was gone.
She stood up and began pacing the room, her breath growing shallow. The hospital seemed to close in around her, and she felt like she might suffocate under the pressure of the situation.
“Are you looking for something?” Victor’s voice broke through her thoughts, low and unexpectedly calm.
Eden froze. She hadn’t noticed that he was watching her, his sharp gaze following her every movement. She turned slowly, guilt creeping into her expression.
“Yes,” she said quietly, trying to keep her tone neutral, “I lost something.”
Victor tilted his head slightly, studying her. There was something about the way he looked at her that sent a chill down her spine. His gaze was intense, almost predatory.
“You seem to care a lot about this… thing you’ve lost,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “It must be important.”
Eden didn’t respond, unwilling to explain. She didn’t owe him anything, and certainly not an explanation about her daughter’s gift. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was watching her too closely, as though he saw right through her.
“I don’t suppose you would have seen a handkerchief lying around?” Eden asked, her voice softening just a little as she looked at him. She had nothing to lose by asking, after all.
Victor’s lips curled into a subtle smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Perhaps I have… But why would I give it back to you?”
Eden stared at him, trying to maintain her composure despite the growing tension. She had no time to waste with him. Her son’s piano competition was starting soon, and she was already running late.
Before she could say anything further, she heard footsteps approaching. A man dressed in a suit, clearly hurried, appeared in the doorway, breathing heavily.
“Victor, you’re awake,” the man said, his voice laced with concern. “I’ve been searching hospitals all over River City for you. Are you alright?”
Victor barely acknowledged the man’s presence. His attention remained on Eden, who was still standing there awkwardly, her thoughts racing.
Eden gave one last glance at Victor, her expression hardening. “I really must go now,” she said, her tone more insistent this time.
Victor watched her leave, his smile never faltering. There was something about the way she held herself—something that intrigued him. He had met countless women, but none who had made such an impression.
Eden’s mind was still spinning as she left the hospital, her thoughts consumed with the lost handkerchief. But as she stepped outside, the fresh air hit her, and she shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She had more important things to do than dwell on what was lost.
The performance. Her son. That was her priority now.
As she hurried to her car, she pulled out her phone to check the time again. It was nearly six thirty. There wasn’t much time left.
Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her. “Miss! You forgot something!”
She turned around to find a nurse rushing toward her, holding something in her hand.
Eden’s heart skipped a beat as she saw the familiar handkerchief in the nurse’s grasp. She hurried over, relief flooding through her.
“You found it!” Eden exclaimed, her eyes wide. She took the handkerchief gratefully, pressing it to her chest. “Thank you so much.”
The nurse smiled warmly. “You’re welcome. It was on the floor in the hallway. Glad I could help.”
Eden nodded, still a little shaken, before turning away and heading toward her car.
But as she drove to her son’s performance, her mind kept drifting back to Victor and the strange encounter. What had he meant by his cryptic words? Why had he been so intent on watching her? And why did she feel like he hadn’t been telling her the whole truth?
For now, she pushed the questions aside. Her son’s music would take precedence. But deep down, she knew that her connection with Victor Vance was far from over.