Chapter 5

Brianna

I stared at Cole, stunned.

A fine layer of sweat had already broken out across my back. I didn't know whether my identity had been exposed. Fear crept in, and I began to back away—I had no powerful connections to fall back on. If my identity ever came to light, I might vanish from the face of the earth the very next second, and my family along with me.

Cole seemed to sense my fear. He stepped forward and caught my wrist. His grip was light, yet it carried something that left no room for refusal. He drew closer and crouched down, trying to bring himself level with my eyes, to make himself less imposing.

His voice was impossibly gentle.

"Brianna, don't be afraid. I've already had the patent's authorship reviewed and changed to your name. I know you're worried the buyer might retaliate against you, but rest assured, I've taken care of it. From now on, with me here, you can put your own name on your patents openly. You won't have to sell them off to anyone again. And your mother's medical bills—I'll cover all of them."

I looked at Cole in disbelief. Clearly, what he was worried about and what I was worried about were two entirely different things. Which only deepened my confusion about how he'd learned I was the inventor behind that patent.

Before I could voice the question, my phone rang. It was the patent's buyer—my biggest client. I gave Cole an apologetic look and stepped outside to take the call.

"Brianna, I'm terribly sorry to bother you. We didn't tell Cole you're L. We only said you were a student at Ronaldo University who sold a patent because of your mother's illness. You have nothing to worry about. At the same time, we're hoping the Cesar family can openly take responsibility for your safety—there are certain matters it isn't convenient for us to handle directly. But strangely enough, we have no idea how Cole found out you were the developer. We're still investigating internally."

I gave a soft "mm" and hung up.

I didn't understand how my identity had slipped out, but I was grateful for everything Cole had done. Back in the hospital room, I looked at him.

"Why would you do all this?"

Cole rose to his feet and offered a soft smile. "You're my team doctor. Of course I'll look after you. The Cesar family doesn't allow me to mistreat my own people. With me, you can just be yourself, Brianna. Genius shouldn't be buried or humiliated."

In that moment, my heart began to pound violently. I wanted to call the feeling gratitude. No—it was more than gratitude. There was something else in it too.

I couldn't hold the emotion back. I threw my arms around Cole and pulled him into an embrace. He was, quite simply, the light of my life. At last I no longer had to risk using L's identity to earn that money. I had an aboveboard identity now. I had stepped into the sunlight. No more scurrying and hiding like a rat in the gutter—I could be my whole self. All the honors and research that should have been mine would never be buried again.

Around us, the other players watched the scene, stunned. After all, Cole was a man who despised physical contact—with men and women alike. With men, it never went beyond a slapped palm, even when the team won a championship. While the others hugged and celebrated, he'd stand off at a distance, a smile on his face, trading the occasional high five. Women were even further out of the question. Once, a fanatical female football fan had rushed at him for a hug, and he'd shoved her back a good thirty feet. He hadn't hurt her, but after that, no girl dared go near Cole. They only admired him from afar. The bolder ones, like Kate, would work up the nerve to sidle close and strike up a conversation—but physical contact was unthinkable.

Watching my reaction, everyone drew a sharp breath. They were already bracing themselves to resuscitate me.

But the astonishing thing was, Cole didn't push me away. Instead, he gently stroked the top of my head.

"All right. Everyone's watching."

His reminder made me realize how improper I'd been. Flustered, I let him go.

Jess's and Kate's faces darkened completely. Kate bit down hard on her lip, trembling with rage, but there was nothing she could do. She had no grounds left to argue. All she could do was glare at me—watch me embrace Cole, watch me receive his favor. Even Jess's expression shifted, from the initial disgust to shock.

Cole looked around at them and spoke. "Brianna is my team doctor. If anyone still has a problem with that, you can leave with Jess."

Faced with the patent report in Cole's hand, no one was willing to take Kate and Jess's side anymore. Having a genuine medical prodigy as team doctor was something any team would give anything for. One by one, the players came forward to greet me, their earlier hostility now turned to courtesy and admiration.

"Sorry, Brianna. I hope you'll forgive our rudeness earlier."

"Welcome aboard."

Cole stayed at my side the whole time, resting a hand lightly on my shoulder, giving me all the reassurance I needed.

Watching it all unfold, Kate refused to give up and shrieked, "Brianna! All you've got is results on paper! But let me tell you—being a team doctor takes real practice! Tomorrow is the collegiate football championship. I'd love to see how you put that pathetic textbook knowledge to use!"

Kate's words snapped Jess back to himself, and he chimed in. "Cole, a patent doesn't prove she has enough hands-on ability. Being a team doctor takes more than theoretical credentials! I'm very curious to see how she treats you all with that pitiful book learning of hers. Let's hope she doesn't just end up sitting on the sidelines scribbling those ridiculous written reports!"

This time, I didn't wait for Cole to speak. I took a step forward. I didn't want to stand behind him. He believed in me this much, gave me confidence and something to lean on—I wouldn't let him down. Still less would I let anyone question Cole's judgment or his leadership. He had already helped me so much. Now it was my turn to prove to the world that his choice had been the right one.

I looked at Jess and Kate and gave a gentle smile.

"See you on the field."