Chapter 589

Skylar recalled what happened before she collapsed. She hadn't expected Alexander to call Joe. She felt fine.

A flurry of activity filled the room as doctors swarmed around Skylar, subjecting her to a battery of tests. An hour later, the room emptied, and silence returned.

Skylar seemed much better than when she first awoke. Her strength returned after a few sips of water and chicken soup.

"I merely fainted," she said. "It's nothing serious."

She considered summoning so many doctors a waste of time and resources. Other patients would surely have something to say about it.

Joe stared at Skylar silently. Paul's lips twitched. "Mrs. Martin," he said, "you didn't just faint. You've been unconscious for four days. Your temperature dropped steadily. Countless tests yielded no explanation for your unconsciousness. Two hours ago, they concluded you might never wake up—that you'd be in a vegetative state. This isn't nothing. This is absolutely terrifying!"

"Four days? I've been unconscious that long?" Skylar was surprised. That explained Joe's stunned reaction to her awakening. The doctors had spoken of a miracle.

She'd assumed she'd fainted briefly. Four days had passed.

"Indeed, it has been a long time," Joe said quietly.

Skylar apologized. "I'm sorry for worrying you all." She hadn't anticipated the black magic affecting her so severely, and at the time, hadn't been overly concerned. Even before fainting, she'd been thinking about how Alexander and Harry should have handled the phoenix figurine. Had she known she would be unconscious for so long, she would have told him not to worry.

"Steven called just now. Would you like to call him back?"

Joe handed her the phone. Their fingers touched as she reached for it, and he noticed her icy fingertips.

"Are you feeling ill?" he asked immediately.

Skylar was stunned. "No, I'm feeling alright. I feel stronger now that I've eaten." The doctor had told her she would recover after two days' rest. Why did Joe seem so nervous?

His brows remained furrowed. He held her hands tightly. "Your hands are still very cold," he said. He glanced at Paul. "Call a doctor."

"There's really no need," Skylar insisted, trying to stop him. "I'm alright. Cold hands are normal; I touched the figurine, and I just needed time to recover. Don't worry, I'm fine."

Joe gazed at her intently. "Alright," he said.

Skylar glanced at Joe, who still held her hand. "I'll call Steven now," she reminded him.

"Let's head out first," Joe said, nodding. "We should inform Mr. Gardner Senior and Mr. Solarius Senior." He left with Paul.

Skylar sighed in relief once the door closed. Joe had looked at her as though she were someone precious, someone he'd lost and regained. She had to exert all her self-control to avoid getting lost in his gaze.

She didn't know how long she could resist Joe's charisma. Her imagination was running wild.

She took a deep breath and called Steven.

"Steven, I was busy just now."

"Mom called," Steven said. "She said you're living with someone. Since she hasn't visited, she wants to see you for dinner. She asked for your address. I made an excuse and said I was busy. I said I'd send her your address later. Skylar, I don't think I can keep this from Mom any longer. You need to take Joe to meet her."