Chapter 117

Pinebrook, hospital. Madeleine was hunched over the hospital bed, teary-eyed, her eyes red and puffy—it was obvious she'd been crying for a while. Beckett took off his oxygen mask and gave her a sideways glance, chuckling softly. "It was just acting. You actually cried?" "You... you played it way too real," Madeleine choked out. Right after the meeting, Madeleine had handed him the candy she'd switched—just regular milk candy inside. But Beckett had still gone into a fake coughing fit, like he couldn't breathe. It had terrified her. Seeing her all flustered and stammering, Beckett couldn't help but laugh. She looked just like a frightened little bunny. "Tell me... were you scared I'd die because of the allergy, or is it more like guilt in case something did happen to me?" he asked, oddly curious whether she really cared. Madeleine wiped her tears. To her, both options felt the same. "I freaked out. Thought I'd grabbed the wrong candy." Beckett's smile froze for a split second. Guess he