Chapter 133

She wanted to make Stephanie's life miserable, but she was miserable herself. Chris tightened his jaw at her mention of the hospital smell. "But that doesn't mean you can just sneak out."

"Would you have let me leave? No, you wouldn't."

"Your body's not ready. Even leaving the hospital requires considerable preparation." He was referring to the medical team, the equipment, everything she needed for constant monitoring. That was the whole reason he'd been so desperate to buy Whispering Bay; Olivia's medical team alone numbered almost twenty. Whispering Bay was spacious enough to accommodate everyone, with a separate room for all the medical equipment.

"Will I ever get out of here? Or am I just going to die in this place?"

"Don't talk like that," Chris snapped, his voice low.

Olivia fell silent, staring at him with tears welling up. The sight of her distress only deepened his worry. Chris sighed, reaching out to smooth her soft hair, only to find several strands coming loose in his hand. Olivia saw it too. The sight of her hair in his palm sent shivers through her. "Chris, I…"

"Don't worry," he said, "It'll grow back once you're better."

"Will it?"

Will it really? To Olivia, hair was a symbol of life. Losing it due to illness felt like her life was slipping away.

"I'm so scared," she whispered. "I want to go home. I don't want to stay in the hospital."

Her voice was thick with despair, completely masking the real reason she'd run off, and Chris didn't question her further. Seeing her so distraught, he sighed and pulled her into a hug.

"Okay, we'll get you out. Soon."

"Chris…"

"I promise, you'll be out within a week, okay?"

Olivia's face lit up. "Really?"

"Yes, really." His voice was firm, resolute. Hearing this, Olivia finally felt a sense of relief. The sterile smell of the hospital brought her nothing but pain. She was truly terrified.

Meanwhile, Stephanie found herself face-to-face with Sebastian, who had returned. She glanced at him, feeling uneasy.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Sebastian, slightly tipsy, slurred, "You into older men? Hoping to inherit a fortune?"

Stephanie was speechless. When did he get back? He heard everything he shouldn't have.

"Well, Chris mentioned that the owner of Whispering Bay was a sixty-six-year-old guy! I was just messing with him, that's all," she rushed to explain, particularly to Sebastian. One wrong word, and she'd be the one suffering.

Sebastian, seeing through her clumsy explanation, chuckled and pulled her close, his warm fingers tracing her jawline. "Chris's people aren't very efficient, are they? Still haven't figured out who owns Whispering Bay."

"Exactly!" Stephanie readily agreed. She was always careful to be completely honest with Sebastian, unlike with Chris, who she had no patience for. He and his family were always so self-assured, threatening to cut off her cards, ruin her, and shut down her studio. If he was so capable, he could figure things out himself. She had no idea Chris's investigation had led him to such a ridiculous conclusion.