Chapter 51 51
“That’s not the same,” she said quickly, tears pooling. “I needed you.”
Lucas glanced back at the car.
The hospital clock in his mind ticked louder.
“I have somewhere important to be,” he said, trying to pull away.
Olivia tightened her grip, swaying again. “Please… just a little time. I’m scared, Lucas. The doctor said stress could make things worse.”
The driver hesitated. “Sir… should I—?”
Lucas exhaled sharply, frustration coiling in his chest.
“Get her inside,” he said finally. “Call the family doctor.”
Olivia’s lips curved faintly against his shoulder—just enough for victory.
Lucas didn’t see it.
As he helped her back toward the mansion, he looked once more at the waiting car.
City Hospital would have to wait.
And somewhere across the city, fate shifted—
annoyed at the delay.
Lucas laid her gently on the bed, straightening immediately after, already turning away.
“You need rest,” he said, voice firm. “I’ll have the doctor check on you.”
“Lucas… wait.”
Her fingers caught his wrist.
He stopped—but didn’t turn back.
“Don’t,” he warned quietly.
Olivia pushed herself up slowly, the blanket slipping just enough to expose her bare shoulder. She reached for him again, this time sliding her hand higher, familiar, intimate.
“You’re leaving again,” she whispered. “You always leave.”
He finally faced her, tension written hard across his features. “This isn’t the time.”
“When is it ever?” she asked softly, eyes glossy. “You’re my fiancé. I almost died. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his jaw—light, lingering.
Lucas stiffened.
Her perfume hit him.
And with it—
another memory.
Another mouth.
Another warmth.
His hands curled into fists at his sides.
“Olivia,” he said sharply, stepping back. “Stop.”
She moved closer instead, desperate now. “Just stay,” she pleaded. “Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”
His chest rose and fell unevenly.
“I can’t,” he said, voice strained. “Not like this.”
She reached for him one last time, lips brushing his cheek.
He caught her wrists—gentle but unyielding—and lowered them.
“This isn’t fair,” he said. “To you. Or to me.”
He stepped away, grabbing his jacket.
“I’ll check on you later,” he added, already walking toward the door.
Olivia watched him leave, her expression collapsing the moment the door shut.
The softness vanished.
The moment the door shut, the room fell apart.
Olivia stood frozen for half a second—
Then she collapsed.
Her knees hit the floor hard, pain shooting through them, but she didn’t feel it. She clawed at her hair, scattering it wildly around her shoulders, breaths coming out sharp and broken.
“No… no, no, no,” she gasped, shaking her head violently.
Her hands slammed against the bed. “You have to think of something,” she whispered at first—then loude. “You have to think of something!”
She dragged herself forward, nails scraping the floor as tears streamed down her face.
“This can’t be the end of us!” she screamed, voice cracking. “It can’t—Lucas, it can’t!”
Her chest heaved as she laughed suddenly, hysterical, eyes glassy. “Five years,” she sobbed. “Five years of lies, of pretending, of holding everything together—and now you want to walk away?”
She shook her head again and again, rocking on her knees.
“No,” she whispered hoarsely. “No… I won’t let this end like this.”
Her fingers curled slowly into fists.
Her tears dried—not from healing, but from rage.
“If the past is coming back,” she muttered darkly, eyes burning, “then I’ll rewrite it.”
She rose unsteadily to her feet, staring at the door Lucas had walked through.
“Whatever she is,” Olivia said softly, venom coating every word,
“she won’t take what’s mine.”
Lucas arrived at City Hospital just as dusk settled into night.
He strode through the sliding doors, jaw tight, eyes sharp—only to be met with an uneasy stillness.
The usually busy corridor leading to the maternity records ward was dimmer than the rest, lights already half-switched off.
A nurse was locking a glass door.
“Excuse me,” Lucas said quickly. “I’m here to see the records officer on duty. Brooks.”
The nurse turned, startled. “Sir… I’m sorry. That ward is closing for the night.”
Closing.
His chest tightened. “Closing?” he repeated. “I was told this department operates late.”
“It does,” she said apologetically. “But today we had an unscheduled system audit. Records were sealed early. Staff have already signed out.”
Lucas glanced past her—empty desks, powered-down monitors. Too late.
“I can’t come back tomorrow,” he said, frustration seeping through his control. “This is urgent.”
The nurse hesitated, sympathy flickering across her face. “I understand, sir, but hospital protocol—”
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
“Is there anyone still on duty?” he pressed. “Anyone at all?”
She thought for a moment. “There was… one caseworker who stayed behind to finish filing. But she just left.”
Lucas’s heart sank. “Left when?”
“A few minutes ago.”
A few minutes.
He looked down the corridor again, like the answers might suddenly reappear if he stared hard enough.
“Do you know her name?” he asked quietly.
The nurse nodded. “Yes. Bl—”
She stopped herself, frowning. “Actually… I shouldn’t say.”
Lucas’s head snapped up. “Bl?”
The nurse blinked, confused by his reaction. “Sir?”
“Bl what?” he asked, pulse suddenly roaring in his ears.
But before she could answer, a supervisor called from the far end of the hall. “Mia, we’re done here.”
The nurse winced apologetically. “I’m sorry, sir. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
She locked the door fully and walked away.
Lucas stood there alone, the word Bl echoing violently in his mind.
Bl.
He pressed his palm against the cool glass, heart pounding, a strange certainty creeping up his spine.
Lucas remained standing in the hallway long after the lights dimmed.
I could sleep here all night, he thought bitterly.
Wait until morning. Be the first face they see.
His jaw tightened.
Or…
He turned slowly, eyes scanning the quiet hospital lobby.
Or I could go to her.
The thought struck hard and sudden.
Bl.
The name pulsed in his head like a heartbeat. Why had it sounded so familiar on the nurse’s lips? Why had his chest tightened like he’d been punched?
I don’t even know her, he told himself.
So why does it feel like I already lost her?
He exhaled, rubbing his temples.
You’re chasing ghosts, his rational mind warned.
Go home. Sleep. Come back in the morning.
But another voice—pushed back.
What if she’s the reason you’re here?
What if she walked out five minutes ago and took your life with her?
His fingers curled slowly.
He could wait.
Or he could stop waiting.
Lucas turned toward the exit,