Chapter 132

Sebastian’s sharp tongue was almost unbearable. She’d verbally sparred with Chris on the call, leaving him speechless. She always had ten retorts ready for every word thrown at her. Chris’s head throbbed. Sebastian, unrelenting, delivered a final blow: “You should really see a doctor. It’s a miracle you can even function with a brain that scrambled.” Before Chris could respond, she hung up.

Chris was on his way to the hospital, the insult about his “scrambled brain” infuriating him. Catlin called, frantic—Olivia had snuck out. Chris rubbed his temples, a headache blossoming. Olivia could barely walk, let alone sneak out. Was she trying to kill herself?

“Kevin,” he called.

“Yes, Mr. Ashford?”

“About Sebastian… she…” His thoughts were a jumbled mess. The faces of those men flashed in his mind. Which one was her steady boyfriend? Marco, or the man who’d visited her today? Everything was chaos. The sudden appearance of multiple men around Sebastian had completely disoriented him.

They arrived at the hospital. Chris found Catlin in Olivia’s room, sobbing uncontrollably.

“You, in your condition, sneaking out like that? Are you trying to kill yourself?”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“What if something had happened? You can barely walk.”

They’d found Olivia breathless, sitting on the edge of a flower bed. Olivia looked at Catlin, wanting to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

She’d gone to find him, to kill that bastard. But she hadn’t realized how weak she’d become.

Catlin saw Chris. “Chris, talk some sense into her. Tell her to stop this foolishness. I was terrified.” Olivia’s condition was breaking Catlin’s heart.

Chris nodded. Catlin stood, looking at Olivia. “You two talk. I’ll get you some fresh food. This has all gone cold.” The discovery of Olivia’s absence had sent everyone into a panicked search.

Catlin left, leaving Chris and Olivia alone. Olivia looked at Chris, guilt flooding her eyes. “I’m sorry, I worried you, didn’t I?”

Chris pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed, sighing. “Why did you run off?” he asked. “Don’t you know how worried Mrs. Ashford and everyone else is about you?”

Olivia lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. “I just… I can’t stand the smell anymore, Chris. You have no idea how desperate I feel when I smell that disinfectant,” Olivia choked out. “From the moment I stepped into this hospital, it’s like I’ve been cut off from the outside world. I’m scared, scared I’ll never feel the sun again. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to…”

Only those who’ve been sick, confined to a hospital for a long time, could truly understand the despair of such a place.