Chapter 18
Julie POV
“Somebody call an ambulance!” I shouted, again
Finally, the staff were doing something. One came over to him while the other dialed emergency services. As they did that, I tried reducing his fever by pressing a cold napkin on his head.
“Damien, can you hear me?” I whispered again. “If you can hear me, try holding my hand.” But he wasn’t responding.
Finally, the ambulance arrived. They quickly carried him and drove him to the hospital.
When we reached the hospital, the nurses checked his vitals and took him to a room, leaving me in the waiting area. I couldn’t help but pace back and forth, wondering what was happening or the fear of what if something serious was wrong. He had looked so unwell earlier, and now, he was unconscious.
After what felt like hours, a nurse finally approached me.
“He’s stable for now,” she said. “His fever is high, and it looks like exhaustion and dehydration. We’ve started IV fluids, but he’ll need monitoring for a few days.”
I nodded, feeling a bit of relief. “Can I see him?”
She hesitated but finally nodded. “He’s asleep, but you can stay with him. It’s advisable for someone to stay with him.”
I sat by his bedside, looking at how frail he was; he seemed to have lost some weight.
“You jerk, why didn’t you just cancel the meeting?” I whispered, holding his hand.
As the hours passed, his fever worsened, and he muttered in his sleep. I couldn’t just sit there doing nothing. I grabbed a basin of cold water and a cloth, gently dabbing his forehead. He was in severe pain.
It felt as if he was reliving a nightmare from his life.
“Damien,” I said, leaning closer.
“Mom no, stop!” He shouted, holding my hand. “I’ll do better. I’ll do better please, stop!”
I froze. His childhood must have been traumatic.
I leaned over and touched his cheek. “It’s okay,” I said “You’re safe, Damien. I’m here.”
His breathing slowed slightly, but his hand refused to let go of mine. “Don’t leave me,” he pleaded. “Please, don’t leave me.”
1
“I won’t, I promise,” I whispered. “I’m right here.”
For the next few days, I barely left his side. I watched after him as he battled the fever, changing the cloth on his forehead and urging him to sip water whenever he was awake,
After staying with him for two nights, I knew I had to go home, at least to check on Avery. I hadn’t seen her in days, and she barely responded to my texts. I quickly left him a message on a piece of paper, grabbed my coat, and left. I needed to change and check on Avery, hopefully before he woke up.
When I got home, Avery was waiting in the living room, with her arms crossed and a frown on her face.
Finally decided to come home?” she asked sarcastically.
“Avery, I don’t have time for this,” I said, dropping my bag by the door.
“Oh, you don’t have time for me, but you have time to spend nights out with some man?”
“Excuse me?”
1/2
10.02 PM
Chapter 18
“You’ve been gone for days, Mom. What am I supposed to think? You’re off with some guy while I’m here, alone?”
I looked at her, wondering how on earth she had the audacity to talk to me in such a manner.
*You have no right to talk to me like that, young lady. Mind your words.”
“Why not?” she shot back. “You threw Dad out because he cheated, but you aren’t any different.”
That was the final straw. “And what if I am?” I yelled. “Your father is out there living his best life, not caring about anyone but himself. Why can’t I do the same? Why am I the only one who has to sacrifice every time, and you barely even acknowledge anything I do for” you?”
Avery stared at me with tearful eyes.
“I hate you, Mom,” she screamed as she walked out.
“Enough!” I screamed. I had truly had enough of her tantrums and this ridiculous behavior.
“You don’t get to treat me like this, You have no right to, I said, my voice trembling.
I may not be the best mom in the world, but I know I have tried for you. I have given you all the love I could, and yet your father, who was released from jail, doesn’t even think it’s right to visit,” I said.
“He’s out?” she asked.
1
“Yes, he’s out, having the best time of his life while I’m here dealing with a rebellious teenager.” I replied.
“Who gives you this life of luxury? It’s me! Not him! I pay the damn bills and have catered to you since the day you were born. He has never spent a dime on you, so don’t you dare speak to me in such a tone ever again!” I said,
my voice trembling with anger
She looked at me with teary eyes. “He.. he can’t be out. If he was, he would have come to see me,‘ she muttered.
“You really need to see a therapist,” I said, reaching out to touch her shoulder.
She resisted my touch and walked away without another word.
“Coming home was no use,” I said as I grabbed my bag without bothering to take a change of clothes or freshen up, I just couldn’t deal with this now.
When I returned to the hospital, Damien wasn’t in his room. His bed was empty, along with his things.
“Where is he?” I asked a passing nurse.
“He checked out this morning,” she said. “He left a note for you.”
She handed me a folded piece of paper. As I read it, I couldn’t help but laugh at how foolish I had been to stay all night caring for him. only for him to leave me with this piece of paper.
“How cruel,” I muttered, as I reread the note again.
“Thanks for taking care of me, but I would appreciate it if we never meet again. As for our business meeting, my secretary will take over from where I stopped.”
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.