Chapter 61
Anna’s for:
Hospital
“What are her chances of regaining consciousness?” I asked nervously
The doctor just shook his head, his eyes avoiding mine. “We’re doing everything we can, Ms. Anderson, but it’s too early to make any predictions.”
I eat by my mother’s hospital bed, holding her limp hand and watching the flickering numbers on the monitor.
She looked so small, connected to machines keeping her alive. The surgery was over, and the doctors said she was temporarily stable, but that didn’t mean much if she wouldn’t wake up.
1 barely noticed the throbbing pain in my swollen ankle. It was strange how physical pain faded into the background when emotional agony took over.
I hadn’t moved from this chair for hours, watching her chest rise and fall with mechanical precision, searching her face for any sign of consciousness,
“Anna.” Daniel’s voice came from behind me. “I need to take you to orthopedics for an X–ray. Your ankle looks bad.”
“It doesn’t hurt,” I lied, not taking my eyes off Mom’s face.
“Anna, please.” His voice was gentle but firm. “You need medical attention.”
“I’m not leaving her,” I whispered, tightening my grip on her hand.
Daniel sighed, then without warning, he bent down and lifted me into his arms. I was too exhausted to fight back.
“Put me down,” I demanded weakly, tears silently streaming down my face.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you continue like this, Daniel said as he carried me out of the ICU. “If Lillian were awake right now, she wouldn’t want to see you like this. She loves you so much–seeing you hurt yourself would break her heart.”
His words hit something raw inside me, and I stopped struggling.
He was right. Mom would be furious if she knew I was neglecting my own health. The thought brought a fresh wave of pain that had nothing to do with my ankle.
Daniel carried me to the radiology department and gently set me down in a wheelchair.
While we waited for my turn, I spotted a familiar figure across the hallway–Seth carrying Samantha in his arms. Behind them trailed an assistant who was frantically discussing something about compensation.
Seth pretended not to see me, attempting to walk straight past, but Samantha’s eyes widened in recogi
“Seth, isn’t that Mrs: Wright?” she asked, touching his arm.
Seth’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Look at that. She sprained her ankle too. Always on trend, isn’t she?”
Samantha shifted uncomfortably in his arms. “Seth, can we stop for a moment? I’d like to say something to Mrs. Wright.”
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Chapter 61
“Women are such a fucking pain, Seth muttered, but he stopped anyway, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt as he looked at
Samantha leaned forward slighty. “Mrs. Wright, I wanted to apologize for what happened before.”
Before I could respond, Seth cut in. “Why don’t you ask her how she got injured? Is it serious? You two are injury buddies now–you can exchange recovery tips.” He rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ, you can’t even kiss ass properly. With your people skills, I really I wonder if pushing you into entertainment was the right call.”
I felt exhaustion washing over me. Seth hadn’t changed a bit–still the same spiteful boy I grew up with, just in an adult’s body.
He shot a glance at Daniel next to me and let out a cold
“Samantha,” Seth continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “For all you know, Mrs. Wright could be cheating on her husband. If you get evidence of that, you could win favor with my good buddy Blake. That could open a lot of doors for you in the industry.
I turned to Daniel, ny voice barely audible. “Please ask them to leave
Before Daniel could respond, the hospital intercom crackled to life: Samantha Davis to Radiology Room One.
“Seth, that’s my appointment,” Samantha said, relief evident in her voice.
Seth set her down with an exaggerated grunt. “If you knew that, why tell me? Just go!”
“God, you’re heavy,” he added, rolling his shoulders. “Hasn’t your agent told you to watch your weight?”
Samantha’s face fell, hurt flashing in her eyes.
“You only twisted one foot, right? The other one still works,” Seth barked. “Don’t just stand there getting in everyone’s way. Hop
over there!”
I watched as Samantha hobbled away, her face burning with humiliation. How could she put up with being treated that way?
Then again, who was I to judge? I’d stayed with Blake for four years despite all the red flags.
Once Samantha was gone, Seth turned his attention to me, dropping into the seat across from my wheelchair.
“Spit it out. What do you want to ask? Make it quick–my time is valuable, and I don’t want to waste it on you.”
I met his gaze directly. “Was Michael Garcia your doing?”
Seth’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I thought you’d ask about Emily or your job, or even Henry. Never expected you’d prioritize
Garcia
“Seth, honestly, even if you are behind what happened to Michael, I know you didn’t mean real harm. You were just angry. I want to know if I ask you nicely, could you let it go and stop making trouble for him?”
Seth stared at me in disbelief before breaking into laughter. “You’re begging me… for him?”
His laughter died abruptly. “What if I did do it? So what?”
I said nothing, watching the emotions play across his face.
“Anna, I don’t recall you ever begging me for anything since we were kids. How far are you willing to go for him? Say nice things to butter me up? Or offer me something I can’t refuse?”
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Chapter 61
“What would make you happy I asked quietly.
His eyes narrowed. “Would you get on your knees if I asked you to?
I felt a cold sensation spreading through my chest. The Seth I knew the annoying boy who used to pull my pigtails and argue with me about everything–was still in there somewhere beneath all this anger. But right now, I couldn’t reach him.
Seth, is there really no room for negotiation? About Michael or EcoMarine Group?”
“That’s right, Anna,” he snapped, standing up abruptly. “Nothing you to matters anymore!”
His eyes blazed with fury as childhood memories flashed through my mind–us arguing over a sandcastle, competing for the highest grade, fighting over the last tookie at birthday parties. Despite everything, I’d never believed Seth was truly malicious. Difficult, competitive, and infuriating? Yes. But not cruel.
Yet the man standing before me now was a stranger, his face contorted with rage.
“You think you can save everyone, don’t you?” Seth hissed. “Perfect little Anna to the rescue. Well, not this time.”
With that, he stormed off, leaving me alone with Daniel in the cold hospital hallway.
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