Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 389

'But I'm at the hospital. I can't-"

"Why are you at the hospital?"

Kira turned her face away from Gideon and lowered her voice. "To see my dad."

'Why are you whispering? Austyn detected something in her voice. 'Is everything all right?" "Yes, of course. Everything's fine. Don't worry."

"Good. Then you'll be free for dinner. Just stay there. Kai will be there in twenty minutes.

"Oh, you don't have to. I'm leaving soon anyway. There's no need for Kai to pick me up."

'Nonsense. Kai has to earn his pay cheque somehow. Just stay put."

"Wait, but-

Kira heard the busy signal..

Austyn had hung up.

Kira gripped her phone.

'Doesn't he know it's rude to hang up mid-conversation?' she thought, fuming. The man has got to take a class in phone etiquette."

Gideon had stood up while Kita was on the phone.

She placed one hand over the speaker and her voice was barely above a whisper.

Obviously, she didn't want Gideon to hear the call

But he heard enough of her side of the conversation to piece together the situation.

The tender look in his eyes vanished.

He stood there with a blank face, watching her.

Her body language was exasperated, but there was a twinkle in her eyes.

Her voice was gentle, like a doting parent trying to reason with a loveable but unruly scamp.

Her tone was affectionate.

Gideon had seen Kira like this before.

That look of adoration, that sweet, coaxing voice and that slight pout used to be directed at him.

Kira used this face on him when she wanted to get out of something she didn't want to do, like Physics homework. Gideon couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but somehow, he was convinced it was a man.

Helen's words returned to his mind.

"Who is he?' he demanded.

Kira put away her phone

Her head was bowed.

She knew this question was coming.

Gideon would find out about her marriage sooner or later.

She might as well tell him right now

Kira took a deep breath and braced herself.

She raised her head and's

I was transfixed by the look on Gideon's face.

His dark eyes were unblinking, tinged with an ineffable sadness

He looked at her, like a death row inmate waiting to bear the news, though, in his heart, he knew the last stay of execution had just been denied.

30

Kira felt as if she were the warden holding the merciless court judgement, about to extinguish that last glimmer of hope in the Inmate's eyes.

She couldn't bring herself to speak

What would Gideon think of her if she told him the truth?

Would he scold her for selling herself cheap and marrying a stranger for money?

Would be look down on her?

Kira turned away.

She felt a forceful tug on her shoulders.

Gideon yanked her to her feet.

He growled in her ear, 'Was that your sugar daddy?"

What?

Kira's head snapped up.

She stared at Gideon in disbelief.

'I know your dad's in a coma,' he said through gritted teeth. 'I'm not heartless. I wanted to ask you more questions about him, but I couldn't. I didn't dare. I was afraid I wouldn't like the answers." Kira looked at him blankly.

Why was he talking about her father now?

'Kira, you can't afford this ward. Gideon answered the question in her eyes. 'Do you know how I know this? When I wanted to enter the building, I was blocked by security. No visitors allowed unless they're on an approved list, they said. I had to be admitted as a patient to get in. My ward is two floors below and costs twelve thousand dollars a night. A room on this floor has to cost at least twice that

much.

Gideon's eyes bore into hers. "Who paid for the room? Your sugar daddy? That was him on the phone, wasn't it?"

I'll Be Your Sugar Daddy

He shook her shoulders. 'Kira, how could you do this?"

His voice was accusing, his words vicious

When Kira finally processed the meaning of his words, she felt as if she'd just been sucker-punched in the heart.

Gideon was calling her a mistress, a kept woman.

He was accusing her of trading her body for money.

Blood drained from her face.

Speech abandoned her.

Gideon grasped her shoulders with more force. "Tell me, Kira, what the hell is going on?"

Kira couldn't speak

Gideon was relentless, determined to shake an answer out of her.

'Kira, talk to me!'

Kira faltered before she finally regained the use of her voice.

She forced out a wan smile. 'What is there to tell? It's like you said, I have a sugar daddy. I can't afford the ward for my father. Nor can I pay his astronomical medical bills. A rich man approached me, made me an offer. He would help me settle everything on just one condition sleep with him. I'

Slap!

Kira's cheek stung.