Defiant Heir (The Heirs 3)

Becoming independent and getting Fallon back being at the top of the list.It’s getting late, and there’s no sign of Fallon and Hana.

“Kao, dinner is here,” Noah calls from the kitchen.

It’s weird moving around. I thought it would be easier with my sight getting better, but I find myself still counting the paces because I can’t see the smaller pieces of furniture.

I walk down the hallway and finding a chair, I’m careful as I sit down. “What are we eating?”

“Cheeseburgers and fries,” Noah answers while taking two bottles of water from the fridge. He sets one down in front of me.

“Thanks.” Noah’s been sticking to burgers because I can make out what I’m eating then. Smaller foods like vegetables and steak, is still a challenge.

While we eat, Noah says, “We need to finish the business plan so I can hand it in tomorrow. You’ll be caught up with all the work then.”

“Thanks for all the help.”

I hear the front door open, and my head immediately snaps in the direction of the sound.

“Hey guys, how was your Christmas break?” Hana asks when she spots us. It sends my heart rate shooting through the ceiling. “Oh, and happy New Year.”

When Fallon enters the suite, my heart rate shoots sky-high.

Hana gives each of us a hug, but my eyes are locked on Fallon as she moves closer to Noah. “Good to see you again,” she says to him.

I get up and move closer to her. Not knowing what to say, I wrap my right arm around her. She gives me a quick pat on the back then tries to pull away, but I tighten my hold on her while bringing my left arm around her as well. Still at a loss for words, I murmur, “I’m glad you’re back.”

Holding Fallon, I finally feel like I’m home and not just stumbling through life. I take in a deep breath of her scent, and it feels like I can breathe again. It has me admitting, “I missed you.”

Fallon doesn’t hug me as tightly, and when she pulls away a second time, I let her go.

“How’s your sight?” she asks, and I don’t miss the tension in her voice and how she turns her face away from me.

“Better. Every day I notice a change.”

“That’s good to hear.” She moves away from me. “I need to unpack. Catch you later.”

When the girls have gone to their rooms, Noah mutters, “That wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “The awkwardness is still there, but at least she didn’t slap the shit out of me.”

Noah whacks me lightly upside the head. “That’s on behalf of Fallon, who’s too much of a lady to hit you.” We finish our meals, then Noah says, “Time for eyedrops, then we need to hit the business plan hard.”

I get up from the stool and ask, “Where do you want to do this?”

“Sit on the couch. I’ll get everything. I’m tired of being holed up in your room.”

I walk over to the living room and sit down. Noah comes back with everything we’ll need, then says, “I’ve dimmed the lights. You can take off the sunglasses.”

Removing them, I set the glasses down on the couch and grin at Noah when I can make eye contact with him.

I hear footsteps coming down the hallway, and glancing in that direction, I see Fallon and Hana come into the open space.

“Hold up,” I whisper to Noah, and getting up, I walk toward the girls.

Fallon freezes, and when I get near her, she begins to turn around, but I quickly take hold of her arm, and it makes a surprised gasp burst from her.

I move in front of her and notice her hair is hanging over the right side of her face. I’ve been worried about her injuries and the surgery she has to go for. When I lift a hand to her face, she tries to pull back, but I tighten my grip on her arm.

“Let me see.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want any of you to see.” Her voice trembles, and it makes worry explode inside my chest, and a bad feeling ripples over me.

I try to move her hair away, but Fallon rears back and turns her face to the side. “I said no, Kao.”

Determined to see how severe her injuries are, I take hold of her face, and then my fingers brush over swollen ridges.

She yanks away again, and it has me snapping, “Hold still, Fallon.”

“No!” She manages to pull free and darts back down the hallway. I go after her and grab her arm again before she can reach her room. As she swings toward me, her hair moves, and I can make out dark scarring on the whole right side of her face and neck. I can’t see the finer details or coloring, but the fact that I can see the cuts means they’re fucking bad.