The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 201

Aveline

The world came back to me in fragments—blurred shapes, muffled voices, the sensation of floating between consciousness and something deeper. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy as I struggled to open them, but gradually the darkness gave way to soft lamplight.

The first thing I saw was a face hovering above me, etched with such profound worry that it took my breath away. Dark eyes searched mine frantically, as if looking for signs of life, of recognition, of anything that would confirm I was truly okay. When those eyes met mine and registered awareness, the expression of pure relief that flooded across his features was so genuine it made my chest tighten with unexpected emotion.

Before I could fully process what was happening, strong arms encircled me, pulling me against a warm, solid chest. The familiar scent of expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely masculine filled my senses, and I knew immediately where I was.

"Let go, Orion," I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible. "You're crushing me."

He released me instantly, his hands hovering near my shoulders as if he couldn't quite bring himself to break all contact. As my vision cleared, I realized I was in his bedroom—a space I'd only glimpsed before, all dark wood and masculine elegance. Mitchell stood beside the bed holding a crystal glass filled with what looked like fresh fruit juice.

"Miss Aveline," the butler said with characteristic gentleness, "please try some of this recovery drink. It contains electrolytes, vitamin B complex, and natural sugars to help restore your energy."

Orion took the glass and carefully helped me sit up, supporting my back with one hand while guiding the drink to my lips with the other. The liquid was cool and surprisingly pleasant—a mixture of citrus and something herbal that immediately made me feel more alert.

It was then that I noticed Ryan perched on the edge of the bed, his small face grave with concern but his posture careful and controlled, as if he'd been instructed not to disturb me. The sight of him trying so hard to be good while obviously wanting to comfort me nearly broke my heart.

"Hey there, sweetheart," I said softly, managing a smile. "I'm fine—I was just very tired and fell asleep. Why don't you go with Mitchell? Your daddy and I need to talk."

Ryan's lower lip trembled slightly. "I've never seen Daddy so scared before, Miss Aveline. If bad people are trying to hurt you, you have to tell me, okay? I'll protect you. I'll fight them."

The fierce determination in his little voice was both touching and heartbreaking. I reached out to stroke his cheek, but Orion was already signaling to Mitchell, who gently guided Ryan toward the door.

"Come along, young master," Mitchell said kindly. "Perhaps we could work on that puzzle you started earlier."

Once they were gone, I turned to Orion with disapproval. "Why did you let Ryan see me like that? He's just a child—he shouldn't have to worry about things like this."

"I was rushing to get you to the hospital," Orion explained, running his hands through his hair in obvious agitation. "The doctor examined you, administered some medication to counteract whatever you'd been given, and said you'd be fine. I brought you straight back here, and Ryan happened to see us arrive. I couldn't exactly hide the fact that you were unconscious."

I sighed, understanding his logic even if I didn't like it. "I suppose that makes sense."

But then his expression darkened, and I could see anger building behind his eyes. "Now tell me—who drugged you? Please don't tell me it was your beloved stepsister again. Vivian?"

I remained silent, my mind racing through the events of the evening. If I had lost consciousness but somehow avoided whatever danger Vivian had been planning, and if Orion had managed to rescue me, then something had changed between the drugging and the rescue.

"How did you know I was in trouble?" I asked carefully.

"I got a phone call," he said, his jaw clenched. "Someone told me you'd been drugged and that Dwayne was coming for you."

My heart skipped a beat. Dwayne was in New York? The implications were staggering. But more importantly...

"It was Vivian who called you, wasn't it?"

Orion stared at me. "I couldn't tell who it was on the phone. Her voice was disguised but she sounded frantic. But it looks like you really were having dinner with Vivian tonight... So I'm guessing it had to be her."

I closed my eyes, piecing together the logic. "Yes. She drugged me—that much is obvious. But she also changed her mind. She couldn't go through with whatever she'd planned, so she called you to save me."

"What the hell?" Orion's voice rose with incredulous anger. "She poisoned you! How is that not harmful?"

I shook my head, trying to make him understand. "Yes, she drugged me. But she also had a crisis of conscience and chose to save me instead of letting whatever was supposed to happen next actually happen."

Orion began pacing beside the bed, his hands clenching and unclenching. I could see him struggling with his temper, the muscles in his jaw working as he fought for control.

"Aveline, please don't start making excuses for her," he said through gritted teeth. "I don't care about the details or her supposed change of heart. She's dangerous, and she's going to pay for what she did to you. Along with that bastard Dwayne—I can't believe he actually had the balls to come back to New York."

But something was nagging at me, a growing sense of unease that had nothing to do with my own safety.

"How long did it take you to reach me?" I asked urgently. "From the phone call to actually getting me out of the restaurant?"

Orion calculated quickly. "Even driving like a maniac and calling in every favor I had for emergency clearance through traffic—maybe thirty minutes."

My blood ran cold. "That's what I was afraid of."

"What are you talking about?"

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and reached for the bedside phone, ignoring Orion's protests as I dialed Vivian's number. It went straight to voicemail. I tried again with the same result.

A terrible suspicion was forming in my mind. I dialed Grandmother's number instead.

"Hello, darling," Grandmother's voice came through slightly irritated. "You and Vivian are certainly making a night of it. Didn't she promise to be home early to help me organize my jewelry?"

I forced my voice to sound casual and cheerful. "Oh, Grandmother, we're having such a wonderful time! We decided to go to a few clubs after dinner. Don't wait up for us—we might be very late."

"Well, how lovely that you two are finally getting along properly," Grandmother said, her tone immediately brightening. "You young people enjoy yourselves. I'll be perfectly fine on my own."

I hung up and turned to face Orion, my expression grim.

"Let me guess," he said with exasperation. "You want me to go looking for Vivian."

I grabbed his arm, my fingers digging into the expensive fabric of his shirt. "Not looking—rescuing. Think about it logically, Orion. If Dwayne discovered that his perfect opportunity to kidnap me was sabotaged by Vivian, what do you think he'd do to her?"

Orion's expression remained stubbornly unsympathetic. "That would be her own fault for getting involved with him in the first place. Besides, you're just speculating. You don't know for certain what happened."

"But if I'm right," I said, meeting his eyes with deadly seriousness, "then Vivian is probably experiencing something close to hell right about now."

Orion sighed heavily, clearly wanting to refuse but recognizing the determination in my voice. "Fine. I'll put some people on it, see what we can find out. But—" He moved closer, his expression turning possessive and protective. "For your safety, you're not leaving my sight. Not for a single second. Whatever happens next, you stay exactly where I can see you."