Chapter 56: Aunt Flo

Rupert’s handsome face darkened as he watched Annabel talking with Rory. He wondered what she was up to.

He couldn't understand their interaction. Approaching them, he asked coldly, "Annabel, what are you doing?"

Annabel quickly pushed Rory away and faced Rupert, offering a strained smile. "Nothing. I'm just asking for his autograph."

"Really?" Rupert scowled, giving Rory a stern look. He clearly didn't believe her.

Rory stared at Rupert impassively. "Yes. Let's go."

Annabel took Rupert's arm and they left.

Watching them go, Rory felt frustrated. He couldn't understand why Annabel chose Rupert over him, especially considering Rupert's feelings for Candy. Rupert didn't love Annabel, nor did he treat her well. Rory believed Annabel would eventually realize that only he truly loved her and was a good match.

Annabel and Rupert returned to their booth, arm in arm.

"Do you know Rory?" Rupert's face darkened again as he looked at Annabel.

Annabel forced a smile. "Who doesn't know the popular star? Besides, you introduced him to me."

"Are you sure?" Rupert asked, narrowing his eyes. He'd just seen her in Rory's arms outside the restroom; clearly, it was more than an autograph. He wanted to know what they had been doing. He knew Rory was madly in love with a wealthy girl—his boss—a love as intense as his love for Candy. Rory's devotion to this woman prevented him from dating anyone else. Their closeness outside the restroom meant Annabel had initiated the encounter.

Rupert wondered if Cathy's claim—that Annabel seduced wealthy men—was true, though he doubted it.

"Of course," Annabel said. "I almost got his autograph. He would have signed if you hadn't shown up unexpectedly. You can get his autograph for me next time."

Annabel’s guilt was evident in her gaze at Rupert’s dark expression. He gave her a quick, silent look. Awkwardness filled the air. Annabel ate quietly, her discomfort growing.

"What's wrong?" Rupert asked, noticing her distress.

Annabel stood, her face pale, her stomach pain worsening. "I have a bellyache!"

"Let me take you to the hospital. Does it hurt that much?" Rupert asked, worried.

Annabel leaned on the table, enduring the pain. She suspected it was her period, but the pain was unlike anything she'd experienced before.

She started to speak, but dizziness overcame her, and she fell to the floor.

"What's wrong, Annabel?" Rupert asked, his voice trembling. He caught her as she fell.

He carried her to the sofa and noticed a blood stain on her dress. Shocked, fearing she was injured, he immediately called Tristan Craig.

"Come to the restaurant in five minutes."

The Craigs had been doctors for generations, with a close relationship to the Bentons. Tristan, who'd inherited his family's hospital, possessed exceptional medical skills. He was at a bar with a female celebrity when Rupert called.

"What's wrong, Rupert? Are you sick? Why the rush?"

"Get here now!" Rupert snapped.

"Alright, I'll be there soon."

Tristan rushed to the restaurant, fearing something had happened to Rupert.

"Please examine her. She's hurt."

Rupert sighed in relief when Tristan arrived. Tristan was surprised to see Rupert holding Annabel's hand so protectively, wondering when he'd become so concerned about women.

"Who is she?" Tristan asked curiously. "You seem nervous. Is she Candy?"

Rupert glared. "Stop it. She's Annabel."

"Annabel?" Tristan exclaimed. "Your fiancée? The one your grandfather chose? You don't like her, do you? So why are you so nervous?"

"Examine her! She's injured!" Rupert pointed to the blood stain.

"Injured?" Tristan checked Annabel's pulse and examined the stain, then burst out laughing. "Aunt Flo visited."

"Aunt Flo?" Rupert was confused.

Tristan smiled and explained, "Every girl gets her period monthly."

Rupert finally understood. "So, why did she pass out?" he asked, concerned.

Tristan looked at the uneaten dishes. "Hypoglycemia, probably from an irregular diet and fatigue. She'll be fine with some rest."

Rupert nodded regretfully. He shouldn't have made her work overtime.

Annabel awoke in Rupert's room at Water Moon Community. His handsome face greeted her as she slowly opened her eyes.

"You're awake." He stared at her intently.

Rubbing her eyes, Annabel asked, "Weren't we having dinner? What happened?"

"You passed out. Well, that…" Rupert looked embarrassed.

"What?"

Annabel frowned, remembering the events: working overtime, dinner, meeting Rory, the stomach ache, her period. She noticed her dress had been changed; had Rupert done that?