Chapter 51 Without Warning

Chapter 51 Without Warning
Author's POV

Lucian walked back into the hospital waiting room slowly, his shoes making soft but heavy sounds against the clean white marble floor.

He tried to act as cool as possible before he reached the waiting room, but the tension on his face was obvious.

His steps were slower than usual, like he was forcing himself to stay calm. Inside, his mind was still heavy with worry, but he didn’t want anyone to see it.

Once he got to the waiting room, he pushed the door open slowly, straightened his jacket, and walked in like everything was under control, even though his heart was beating fast.

The room suddenly felt colder than before. Or maybe it was just his mood.

His eyes scanned the room immediately, like a soldier checking enemies in a battlefield.

First he sighted Tessa. She was seated in the far corner of the room, her back slightly bent, her hand slowly massaging her throat where his fingers had grabbed her earlier.

She kept swallowing like it still hurt to breathe.

It made me remember what I'd done to her earlier and I hated myself again.

Her face looked pale, scared, and lost inside her own thoughts.

Tessa kept thinking about one thing only—Will Lucian fire me for speaking bas able Riley?

Tessa was terrified and she knew Lucian was ruthless. One mistake could mean she would lose her job, her home, everything.

Her mind was racing with too many thoughts and she just kept thinking about reasons why Lucian wouldn't punish her even more.

And for the first time in her entire life, she feared Lucian more than she always has.

The moment she felt Lucian's presence in the room, she immediately lowered her head, like she was trying to disappear into the chair. Ste didn't want to meet his eyes just yet.

Dominic, on the other hand, stood near the large hospital window with his hands inside his pockets, staring down at the busy hospital lobby. Doctors moved quickly across the floor, and patients stood in long queues, waiting patiently for their turn to see the doctor.

“That's the hospital life!” He thought.

The minute Dominic heard Lucian’s footsteps, he turned immediately. “Boss,” He said quietly, walking toward him. “Is everything okay?” His voice was soft, but there was worry inside it.

Lucian just nodded slowly—no smile, no explanation. Just a nod.

Then slowly, Lucian's eyes moved again toward Tessa. Dominic noticed it. He knew Lucian was thinking about apologizing to her, but Lucian’s pride was fighting inside his chest like two angry animals trying to survive.

Deep down, Lucian wanted to say sorry for choking her. He wanted to say he lost control and had gone too far with his actions.

But Lucian was not good at saying sorry. He was better at giving orders than showing emotions.

The room went quiet for a while, so quiet that you could hear the sound of the hospital air conditioner humming loudly.

Nobody was speaking—not even Lucian.

Tessa kept her head down, unable to move.

And Dominic just stood quietly, watching Lucian carefully.

Lucian hated the silence, so he ran a hand through his hair and was just about to speak, to say anything, but then the door to the surgery wing suddenly opened.

One of the doctors working on Riley’s surgery stepped out.

Lucian’s body tensed instantly as he watched the doctor walk toward them across the waiting room.

The doctor stepped in slowly, removing his gloves as his steps slowed down.

Lucian’s eyes widened immediately.

He didn't even wait for greetings. “How is she?” he asked sharply.

The doctor nodded calmly. “The surgery was successful,” he said.

Lucian’s shoulders loosened slightly, just a little—not fully.

Then the doctor continued explaining carefully. “But she is still unconscious. When she wakes up, we will check something important.” He paused again like he was studying the room, then he continued. “The fall might have affected parts of her brain responsible for memory. She may not remember some things. Or she may remember everything. We cannot confirm until she wakes up.”

Lucian’s heart suddenly tightened inside his chest.

“Memory loss.’ The word hit him like an expected wave

Lucian stood completely frozen, unable to move.

His mind started working fast.

“What if she forgets me?” The thought came without warning.