Friday, November 15, 20:43 Chapter 258

"Nicolas, I've treated you so well. How can you be so cruel?" Stefan glared angrily. He no longer looked sick and weak. He said to Thea, "Thea, look at him!" Only Thea could subdue Nicolas.

Unfortunately, Thea refused his request. "Dad," she said, "even if you're joking, this isn't right. Nicolas has already packed his things to move in and care for you. I can plead your case, but perhaps we can reduce it to half a month?"

Nicolas agreed. Stefan was furious, but the reconciliation brought a flood of joy to his eyes. "It's up to you," he said, "but Nicolas, you must treat Thea well! If she leaves you again, I won't give you another chance."

The two men shook hands and smiled at each other, a clear display of affection.

After leaving Sunnyend Manor, Thea decided to return to Silvercreek. She was surprised by the online reaction to her disappearance and wondered what was happening at Sparkle Rocks.

"I've already sent people to secure Sparkle Rocks," Nicolas said, always one step ahead. "Amelia is also under control, and we're interrogating her. Thea, you only need to worry about me."

Nicolas's gaze lingered on her. After days apart, he longed to be intimate with her again. Thea had never seen such intensity in his eyes.

"Come home with me," he asked.

The hastily decorated wedding room, prepared at Stefan's instruction, finally became Thea's home. She felt a lump in her throat. "Okay, let's go home!" she said, realizing how long it had been since she felt the joy of having a home.

After making love, Thea collapsed into Nicolas's arms. She was too exhausted to even shower, clinging to him like a koala. Nicolas carried her to the bathroom and, despite his pride, humbly bathed her. However, his desire was rekindled.

Pressed against the bathroom's glass door, Thea's broken moans drowned out the insistent ringing of her phone. The caller persisted.

"That's Stephanie's ringtone," Thea said, turning to meet Nicolas's slightly unfocused gaze.

Previously, Nicolas had treated Stephanie like a sister, allowing her considerable leeway as long as she didn't overstep his boundaries. He simply hadn't changed the ringtone. His eyes darkened at Thea's question. "Ignore her. Continue," he said.

Two hours later, Thea's legs were weak. She could only watch weakly as Nicolas picked up his phone. Stephanie and Darwin were still calling. Nicolas wanted to savor the moment with Thea. As he was about to switch off his phone, a slightly hoarse voice spoke, "Answer it. Don't worry about me. Perhaps something is wrong with Oliver? He's innocent." Thea, though usually unforgiving and particularly disliking Oliver, wouldn't be petty enough to prevent contact now that Nicolas had adopted him.

"It's time for some clarity," she stated.

Before he could answer, Stephanie's sobs filled the phone. "Nicolas, where are you? Why aren't you answering? The doctor says Oliver's fever is serious; he might lose his mind! I don't know what to do. If anything happens to Oliver, how will I face my brother?"

Her voice was choked with emotion, seeming genuine. However, Thea wasn't sure if it was genuine sorrow for Oliver or regret at losing her leverage over Nicolas.

Nicolas, already dressed, said coldly, "Which hospital? I'm coming."

Ignoring Thea's presence, he left her feeling disappointed but resolute. "Nicolas," she said, "I'm coming with you. Since you adopted Oliver, I'm his mother. I can't ignore him, can I?"

Nicolas's eyes showed gratitude. He understood her struggle to avoid putting him in a difficult position.

At the hospital, Stephanie cried uncontrollably until she saw Nicolas and Thea. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Thea. "Thea? Why are you with Nicolas?"

Thea's bruised neck answered the question. "How's Oliver? He's the priority now," Thea said calmly, trying to deflect Stephanie’s attention, but to no avail.

Stephanie, disheveled and frantic, no longer the haughty superstar, lashed out. "I knew you were with Nicolas! Thea, Oliver's in surgery. How could you steal his father at this moment?"

Stephanie's attack was swift. Before Nicolas could intervene, she lunged at Thea. Thea restrained her.

"Ms. Ralap," Thea said, "if you hadn't manipulated Nicolas's love for Oliver to keep him, his trust in you wouldn't be shattered."

Stephanie's face paled, but she fought back. "That's because Nicolas cares about Oliver! Thea, Nicolas can't see through you, but I can. You're angry about your miscarriage, so you're trying to kill Oliver to avenge your child. You were almost a mother. How can you be so heartless?"

Her loud accusations drew a crowd. People filmed the scene.

"Stephanie, shut up!" Nicolas shouted. "Thea has been with me these past days. How could she harm Oliver? Stop this madness!"

While Stephanie might ignore Thea, Nicolas's words cut her deeply.

The operating room door opened. A doctor called out, "Where is the child's family? Your negligence is appalling. Steel balls in his food! He might have died if he'd arrived later!"