Chapter 119

"Don't go," Thea muttered, tightening her grip. "I'm scared."

Nicolas's expression shifted slightly. Maintaining his posture, he asked softly, "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes," Thea panted, slightly uncomfortable but unable to let go. "You're Nicolas. Please don't leave, okay?"

Nicolas felt a strange lightness in his chest, a sensation that spread through his limbs, especially where Thea held his hand—a little hot and numb.

His tone softened. "I'm not leaving. I'll take you to the hospital first."

Thea nodded obediently and let him carry her. She rested her head against his chest, feeling a sense of security she'd never known before as she listened to his steady heartbeat. She gradually calmed down, her breathing stabilized, and she fell asleep.

She didn't know how long she slept. When she opened her eyes, dusk had fallen. Looking around in a daze, Thea's mind blanked momentarily, then the events of the past surged back, bringing with them the feelings of suffocation and powerlessness. Until, a click in her ear—someone had turned on the lights, easing her frustration.

Nicolas strode over and checked her forehead. Confirming her fever had subsided, his expression relaxed. He straightened, his face once again impassive. Thea felt a momentary daze, as if the gentleness she'd felt earlier was an illusion.

"You don't have to worry about Madelyn," Nicolas said. "I've found a witness and will prove your innocence. But Jake is a Hendrix; I can't do anything to him right now. It's best to avoid contact with them for now."

"Nicolas," Thea said, "You were seen taking me away last night. Do I need to explain?"

Nicolas simply looked at her. After a silence, he said, "There's no need. Let nature take its course. Besides, they may not think in that direction. Rest and recover first."

Thea felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. He was still unwilling to acknowledge their relationship. It doesn't matter. It's a temporary relationship anyway. Making it public would be troublesome. With that thought, she felt tired and fell asleep.

Chapter 119

Thea stayed in the hospital for a few days, choosing to ignore the outside world. It felt like she'd locked herself in a cage, but instead of boredom, she felt she could breathe.

By the fourth day, her physical and mental condition had improved significantly. Nicolas hadn't appeared; each visit from Darwin alone brought a wave of disappointment. She asked why Nicolas hadn't come.

Darwin explained, "Mrs. Hendrix, don't overthink it. Mr. Hendrix has too much to do. Rest and recover; that's the best way to ease his mind." Thea knew these were just comforting words.

Looking out the window, she said, "I'm almost recovered and can be discharged. I've been here long enough and am bored. You don't need to follow me; I want to go for a walk."

After discharge, she encountered Ivy at the hospital entrance. They looked at each other from a distance. Ivy seemed about to speak, but Thea turned away and started to leave.

"Thea," Ivy called, quickly catching up and grabbing her wrist. Thea tried to pull away, but Ivy's grip was strong, and the pain was sharp.

Thea's eyes turned cold. "Mrs. Rowland, I find this inappropriate for a recently discharged patient."

Ivy's face stiffened at Thea's formal address.

"I'll make you delicious food," Ivy said, forcing a gentle smile. "I know you're not well and don't want to contact your family. It took effort to find you. You've lost weight. Come home with me; it's good for your health."

Thea rubbed her sore wrist, avoiding eye contact. "There's no need. I've experienced worse in Yurtinas. This isn't unusual. I was lucky this time; someone was there when I was sick. Before, I'd faint alone, treated like a vagrant. Once, I was almost assaulted and had to fight back."

Her tone was flat, discussing these events as if describing the weather. Ivy felt embarrassed, but pressed on, "Yes, I shouldn't have sent you away then, but what could I do? You bullied classmates and hung out with bad influences. If Emmalie hadn't told me you were unwell, I would have searched Bangolware for you. You could have gotten involved with drugs; your life could have been ruined. Your father and I were strict; who knew you'd be so disobedient? Now, with your father and Danean abroad, I'm alone. What choice did I have but to send you away to toughen you up?"

Ivy covered her face and cried, appearing helpless. Thea finally turned to her. "That's right. Maybe I should thank you for your efforts with a disobedient child. But am I really as insensible and disobedient as you think?"

Ivy stopped crying, frowning. "I saw what happened that day. I know you've always blamed Emmalie. But Thea, you made mistakes. You can't expect me to say I'm sorry, but that's the truth."

Thea sneered. This conversation brought back memories of high school, of Emmalie, and their once close relationship, shattered after Emmalie's kidnapping. Emmalie's behavior changed; she acted pitiful and often framed Thea.