Chapter 19

Chapter 19

RYAN

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the phone in my hand.

"Hello?" Dewey's voice crackled through the speaker.

"Hi, Dewey. Just wanted to update you. Olivia ’s at the hospital. The doctor said it’s a migraine, caused by stress. She’s been thinking too much."

There was a brief pause. "Thinking too much, huh? Maybe it’s because she misses me," he said, his voice tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.

I sighed. "Maybe. But… she’ll be fine. It’s been hard on her."

"Yeah... I know," Dewey said quietly. "Thanks for looking after her, Ryan. I’ll call her later."

"Of course," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Take care, Dewey."

How do I tell him I'm screwing his daughter? This is fucked up.

I walked inside the room and saw Olivia starting to wake up. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked around, confused.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice weak.

"You fainted," I said softly. "The doctor said you have a migraine."

She frowned, then nodded slowly. I could tell she was still a little out of it.

"The next few days are the weekend," I told her. "I’ll stay with you, make sure you eat, and look after you."

I moved to adjust the pillow under her head, but before I could, she reached up and gently grabbed my face. Without thinking, she kissed me.

I pulled away quickly, my heart racing. "Olivia , stop," I said, trying to keep my tone polite. "You need to rest."

She looked at me, confused and a little hurt. I just needed to make sure she was okay.

I was sitting next to Olivia , trying to keep her comfortable as she rested. Her phone buzzed on the table, and I saw her best friend, Melody, calling.

Olivia slowly reached for it, her hand still shaky.

“Hello?” Olivia ’s voice was soft.

“Olie? What’s going on? Why didn’t you answer my messages?” Melody’s voice came through, full of concern.

“I... I’m at the hospital,” Olivia said quietly. “I’m sick. The doctor said it’s a migraine.”

I watched her carefully, making sure she wasn’t pushing herself too hard. I could tell she was trying to sound okay, but she wasn’t.

“What? The hospital?” Melody asked, sounding shocked. “Which one? Are you okay?”

Olivia paused for a moment, and I could see her thinking, trying to remember everything.

She gave Melody the name of the hospital. “I’m at St. Mary's Hospital. The doctor says I need to rest.”

Melody didn't waste any time. “I’m coming to see you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I could hear the worry in Melody’s voice, and I didn’t blame her.

Olivia had always been strong, but I could see how this was wearing her down.

I wasn’t going to let her go through this alone, though. I wasn’t leaving her side.

I stood up and walked to the side of the room, picking up the phone to call my driver.

I knew Melody was Olivia ’s best friend, and I understood how much she wanted to be here for her.

I wasn’t about to make her struggle with finding a way to get here.

When I got the driver on the phone, I spoke quickly. “Hey, can you go pick up Melody and bring her to St. Mary’s? She needs to see Olivia . Please hurry.”

“Got it, Mr. Ryan,” the driver replied, and I hung up.

I walked back to Olivia , who was looking at her phone, waiting for Melody’s response.

“She’s on her way,” I told Olivia . “I called my driver to pick her up.”

Olivia gave me a small smile. “Thanks, Ryan. I didn’t want her to worry too much.”

“I know. It’s okay. She’ll be here soon,” I said, trying to reassure her. “You just need to rest now.”

“I will,” she said, closing her eyes for a moment, looking tired.

I stood by her side for a little while, watching her drift in and out of sleep.

I heard the sound of Melody’s voice in the hallway, and soon, the door opened. Melody stepped inside, looking worried but relieved to see Olivia awake.

"Hey, Em," Melody said softly, walking over to her friend’s side. "I’m here."

I gave them a moment, stepping back to let them talk. Olivia was in good hands now, but I would still be here, making sure she was okay.

The door clicked shut behind me, and I pulled my phone out of my pocket. My eyes caught a new message from an unknown number. I opened it, and the words were short but clear:

“Meet me. 7 PM, at the old warehouse.”

I frowned. Who the hell was this?

I quickly forwarded the message to my men. “Track this sender. Find out who it is, fast,” I typed out.

A few moments later, I got a reply.

“Sir, it's null. We can’t trace it.”

I cursed under my breath. Something didn’t sit right with me.

This wasn’t just a random message. It felt like a setup.

I stood there for a second, staring at the phone in my hand.

Could it be David? Was he trying to mess with me? I didn’t want to take any chances.

“Get to Olivia ’s ward,” I said, dialing another number. “Make sure it’s secure. No one gets in or out without us knowing.”

“Understood, sir,” one of my men replied.

I can't risk putting her in danger. Not when I've decided to watch over her this weekend.

I pocketed my phone and walked toward the exit. My mind was racing. Whoever this was, they wanted something.

I couldn’t let my guard down. Not with Olivia in the hospital.

I pushed through the door and headed to my car.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my eyes glued to the road ahead.

I wasn’t a rookie.

I knew things could go wrong, and I always planned for it.

That’s why I had my men following me just in case. The plan needed to go smoothly, but I knew better than to trust everything to luck.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and quickly typed a message to them.

“Stay ready. Backup, just in case.”

I wasn’t taking chances today. We couldn’t afford to. Not with this kind of threat.

My phone buzzed immediately. I thought it might be Dante, but when I saw the message, my stomach dropped.

“If you bring any backup, we will deal with Dante. You’re the only one who can stop us.”

I read it again, but the words didn’t change.

I was focused on the road when my phone rang. It was Olivia .

I picked it up without thinking. "What’s up?"

"Ryan," her voice was quiet, hesitant. "Where are you?"

I glanced at the road ahead. "On my way. Why?"

She took a breath. "I want you to stay with me tonight."

I frowned, confused. "Stay with you? Olivia , Melody’s there with you, right?"

There was a long pause. "She’s asleep, Ryan. I... I’m scared. I don’t want to be alone."

Something about her tone made my stomach tighten. It wasn’t like her to sound so shaken.

Before I could answer, the words were out of my mouth. "I’m on my way."

Without thinking, I slammed the car into reverse, the tires screeching as
I turned the wheel.

I didn’t ask myself why I reacted that way, why I was driving like this.

All I knew was that I had to get to her.

My princess needs me.