When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)

Chapter 252 Did You Plan To Avoid Me Forever?

Suddenly, Whitney heard a scream or agom, followed by the sound of something heavy colliding with the wall.

Π

She opened her eyes just in time to see the man curled up against the comer, with his features twisted in pain

A hand reached toward her and pulled her into a firm embrace. Hernerves, still taut with fear, instinctively triggered a screamin "It's me."

It was a familiar, deep voice that carried both urgency and concem, accompanieil by the faint, calming scent of ebony wood.

Looking up, het gaze met a pair of deep, penetrating eves.

It was Noel.

All the tector and despair she had bottled up transformed into a flood of vulnerability. Her vision blurred with tears, and she choked on the words caught in hernoveldrama

it's okay now. You're safe." Noel said, holding her tightly. He gently stroked her back, trying to comfort her.

Behind them, faint rustling noises broke the moment.

Out of the corner of her eye, Whitney saw the man by the wall slowly standing up, pulling a knife from his pocket. The blade gleamed menacingly under the moonlight. "You ruined my plan. I'll kill the shit out of you!" the man shouted, lunging forward.

Noel had his back to him, oblivious to the danger.

Whitney barely had time to scream Without thinking, she pushed Noel out of the way, putting herself directly in the path of the attacker.

As a sharp and searing pain shot through her left chest, her vision began to blur.

they?" Noel's panicked cry rang in her ears.

The chaos that followed was a blur. Figures stormed into the room, subduing the assailant as she collapsed into Noel's arms.

With a pale expression, she forced a smile as she asked, "A-Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Whitney. Please, hold on! Call an ambulance!"

Then, Noel camed her up and sprinted out of the room.

Her vision faded. Through the haze, she caught a glimpse of his tense jawline before darkness claimed her.

Estrady berping of medical equipment pulled Whitney from the vold

the sterile scent of disinfectant filled her nose as she slowly opened her eyes, Above her was a pristine white ceiling and an IVbag hanging beside her bed. She was in the hospital

"Whitney" You're finally awake!

The door was pushed open. Seeing Whitney awake, Helena rushed in.

Whitney tried to lift her arm, but a slurp pain in her left chest stopped her, forcing a hiss from between her teeth.

Don't move your injury could reopen the wound," Helena said as alar quickly stopped her.

Gealluwincecainst the dryness in her throat, Whitney asked. "How long was I out?-

"bour days," Helens ieplied, with her teary eyes. "Don't worry, you're sale now. The baby's line too,

As the memory of the tiny life growing inde far sofaced, Whitey's lips curved into a bittersweet smile. Her hand instinctively moved to rest gently

di, a trix of relief and guilt flickering indiereyen.

he

-uth - Mr Howard? li te okay? Did he get lat?" Whitney asked anxiously.

"Voicarved fum, to dou't worry.

lue. He's just out to handle some matters," Helenangplied

After a pause, slae asked, "but Whitney, are you still going to keep lading this? Hiding the truths about you and Noel?"

Wintney wanted to say something but ended up apologizing

You don't need in ejuslugier.

d that you just don't know how to tell."

(jouit of the Howaids and with Damian as far brother, she understood all too well how complicated Whitney's feelings were. Whitney had always been

ed down by Har dynamics and rapectations sumusading them.

fer meement hurt had entmated Whitney bular car. The frame in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever seen them Noel, who was

Wlatey struggled to fad the right words define the could speak, she belt Helena gently take ben bunl

As she looked up, the saw Helenur's kind simile (I was a look of quiet encouragement that made her eyes sting with unshed tears.

Chapter 252 Did You Plan To Avoid the Forever I

Just then, the door was pushed open

"Whitney, you're finally awake!" Yvette's voice burst through the room as she dragged her travel suitcase behind her, breathless and flustered. business trip when I heard you got hurt! You scared me half to death! "When you're out of here, we need to buy some lucky charms for you! Honestly, how many times have you been hospitalized this year?"

Seeing her best friend again filled Whitney with warmth.

Still, the one person she wanted to see most had yet to show up.

Yvette insisted on staying by her side, determined to take over as her caregiver

"I was on

Helena had unfinished work waiting for her and decided to leave the hospital. She had barely stepped out of the building when she ran into Matthew,

Her gaze darted away instantly, avoiding his eyes. "You're finally here. Your sister just woke up, and Yvette's with her."

Matthew didn't respond, staring at her.

When she didn't get a response, she looked up to meet his gaze. However, she avoided his stare anxiously and stammered, "I-I should go."

She turned to leave, hoping to slip away unnoticed, but he pulled her arm back. She tried to shake free, but his grip was firm and unyielding. Behind her, Matthewasked, "Do you plan on running from me forever?"