Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3524

The knock had been dinner delivery. Carson unpacked the takeout containers, setting up the table before calling Marina over.

As she took her first bite and swallowed, a sharp ache spiked in her chest. Seeing her flinch, Carson's fork paused. "What's wrong?"

Marina rubbed her sternum. "Just a little sore. Probably from the airbag."

Carson's jaw tightened. "We're going to the hospital."

"Absolutely not," she refused firmly. "If we go, it's going to be hours of X-rays and waiting rooms. We'll be there until dawn. I'd rather just sleep it off."

His tone softened, trying to coax her. "I'll stay by your side the entire time. Once you're cleared, we'll come straight home. It won't take that long."

"It's not that serious," Marina insisted, crossing her arms. "It just feels like a minor bruise. Either way, I'm not going to the ER."

Seeing how stubbornly she was digging her heels in, Carson relented with a sigh. "Fine. But if it gets even a little bit worse, you tell me immediately. This isn't a joke."

"I promise," she smiled faintly.

Carson switched subjects. "Were you out with Trixie tonight?"

Because her chest hurt, Marina was eating at a much slower, more refined pace than usual. She shook her head. "No, we just happened to bump into each other. Her boyfriend was there too."

Carson smirked. "She gave me a pretty strange look earlier. Does she still not know about us?"

Marina blinked, realizing her oversight. "I actually completely forgot to tell her."

Carson lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Forgot, or purposely left it out? Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?"

Marina shrugged casually. "You do have a habit of ending up in the tabloids. It's a little scandalous."

She had meant it as a playful jab, fully expecting him to shoot back a witty retort. Instead, Carson fell silent. A moment later, he looked up, his expression dead serious. "I'll be much more careful from now on."

Marina let out a surprised laugh. "Don't do that. Just be yourself. We agreed from the start—no strings, no holding each other back."

Carson's gaze grew heavy, thick with an unspoken weight. "Do you really think our old arrangement still fits the relationship we have now?"

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