Chapter 61

No sooner had Catlin spoken to Chris about Dr. Vitale than her phone rang. She learned Tyler was hospitalized. Worried, she rushed to the hospital. Tyler looked pale. "What happened? How were you hurt?" she asked, terrified.

Tyler groaned. "Don't activate Stephanie's card. Don't give her any money!" He intended to make her pay for her actions. He wouldn't give her a cent, even if she sold herself.

Catlin nodded. "I understand. But why? Is it because of her?"

Tyler explained everything that had occurred at the party. Catlin's face reddened. She examined him, her gaze settling on his groin in disbelief. "You were nearly castrated?" she gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Stephanie's attack had nearly rendered her brother impotent. This was outrageous. Ungrateful girl! Catlin thought, barely suppressing a torrent of curses.

Tyler, equally furious, added, "She'll soon need to pay rent. Don't give her any money." Stephanie would receive neither their financial support nor the use of their car.

Catlin nodded. "Unless she begs." Cloudridge Valley rents were high; Stephanie couldn't manage without their help. Soon, she'd be pleading for mercy. They'd supported her for years, yet she showed no gratitude. It was deeply disappointing.

Catlin made her decision. Unless Stephanie begged, they'd give her nothing. But if she did, they could use it as leverage to have Drs. Vitale and Pierce treat Olivia.

Chris sat in Olivia's ward. Olivia's food remained largely untouched; her face was pale. "You didn't eat," Chris noted with concern.

Olivia forced a smile. "The disinfectant smells too strong. I can't eat."

She wasn't lying. Sick people often lacked appetite, and the disinfectant was nauseating. "Chris, can I be discharged? I asked Mom, but she refused," Olivia pleaded.

Chris avoided her pleading gaze. "This is a terrible place. Chris, I want freedom," Olivia insisted, her voice tinged with desperation. Every time the doctors examined her, they sighed and shook their heads at her condition. Olivia feared she wouldn't leave alive.

"How about another hospital?" Chris suggested.

Olivia shook her head. "No. I don't want any hospital. I want to leave. I'm afraid. Chris, lying here, I feel death is imminent. I'm desperate."

Her life felt fragile. Chris stopped her. "No, this isn't going to happen, Olivia."

"I'm serious, Chris, more serious than ever. Life is beautiful, but here, sick and in pain, that beauty feels miles away. I might never see the sun again. I don't want to waste my last moments." It was the perspective of someone facing death, the daily wait for the end weighing heavily on her.

Chris clasped her hands. "You're breaking my heart. But I will, Olivia. I'll get you out of here."

"Really?" Olivia leaned closer, hope flickering in her eyes.

"Yes. Kevin's working on it. Once everything is settled, you can be discharged. We can watch sunrises and sunsets together every day."

A glimmer of anticipation shone in Olivia's eyes. "Is it true?" she asked, gripping Chris's wrist.

"Yes, very, very true." As he spoke, Chris thought of Whispering Bay. He had to acquire it.

After leaving the hospital, Chris called Kevin, instructing him to buy the manor in the Shallow Bay area, regardless of the cost.

Kevin was hesitant. "The owner said the manor isn't for rent or sale." He doubted they could manage it.

But Chris was resolute. "Money isn't a problem. I'll pay twice, even thrice the price."

This startled Kevin. The manor was worth billions; double or triple the market price was an astronomical sum.

"Contact the owner, now," Chris urged.

Kevin nodded. "I'll contact them tomorrow." It was too late to reach anyone that night.

Stephanie, having dined, showered, and settled on her sofa with her sketches, heard a knock. "Come in," she called without looking up.

Sebastian entered with a glass of milk. He placed it on the table and approached her. "What's this?" he asked, indicating her drawings.

"Drafts for my studio. The crucial part," she replied.

Sebastian took her pen. "It's late. Drink your milk and sleep."

Stephanie, not finished, reached for her pen, but Sebastian caught her wrist. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her. She tried to pull away, but he held firm. Sebastian gazed intently at her. "Sebastian," she cried, but he didn't release her.

"Bedtime story or lullaby?" he asked, his voice soft.

"No, no," Stephanie stammered, blushing and averting his gaze. She was no longer a child. She didn't need childish things.

Sebastian's heart quickened. "I've booked a flight to Florence. Mom misses you."

"I see," Stephanie murmured, nodding.

Sebastian released her and left. Alone, Stephanie felt her heart still racing. The milk remained untouched; she hadn't drunk milk since returning to Long Harbor. Many of her childhood habits from Florence were gone, replaced by the harsh realities of her current life.

The thought brought a lump to her throat. Suddenly, her phone rang. The caller was unidentified. She assumed it was Chris or someone from the Hart family and hung up. The phone rang again almost immediately.

Stephanie answered. "Hello?"

"Stephanie, you bitch," Lilian screamed, the pain of Jackson's punishment evident in her voice.

Stephanie was furious. "Are you mad, Lilian?"