Chapter 107

Loren shot Nick a sharp look and asked, full of curiosity, “And what plan is that?”

Nick replied coldly, his expression unchanging, “The less you know, the better.” a

She wasn’t willing to accept vague answers and retorted firmly, “I’d rather know. If we’re in this together, I need to understand what I’m getting into.”

Nick laughed, but it was a dry, humorless sound. “I never said we’d be partners. Half of my problems are because you couldn’t control your husband.”

Loren narrowed her eyes. “We’re not partners? It doesn’t seem that way to me. I know exactly what you’re capable of—the lies you told to get close to Laura. Always playing the part of the poor brother left out by the family.”

Nick’s expression hardened. “Loren, don’t stress me out. Don’t you have anything better to do? Like thinking about how to make sure Morgan doesn’t leave you?”

She smiled disdainfully, not backing down. “Even if he leaves me, I’ll never let him be happy with Laura. Rest assured. And if I go down, everyone’s going down with me.”

Nick was silent for a moment, evaluating her with a cold look. Then, without another word, he hung up on her.

The sound of the call ending echoed in the silence, leaving Loren momentarily surprised at his audacity. Then her face darkened. “So that’s how it is, Nick? Do what you think is best, but remember: if I fall, you’re coming with me.”

Loren ended the call and took a deep breath, trying to contain the anger burning inside her. Nick was becoming a bigger problem than she had anticipated, and his coldness was starting to bother her more than she wanted to admit. He acted as if he were in control, as if she were a mere obstacle, easily discarded. But Loren wasn’t just anyone. She knew his secrets, the lies he told to keep up appearances.

At that moment, she realized she needed to devise a plan. If Nick thought he could manipulate and discard her, he was sorely mistaken. She knew his weaknesses and the details of his life he preferred to keep buried. She knew how to exploit those vulnerabilities, and the idea of using them gave her a sense of power.

The waiting room was filled with tension, with each person absorbed in their own thoughts and anxieties. Laura’s family was gathered there, and the worry on their faces was evident. Nona, usually so strong, sat in silence, but her face showed the weight of her concern. Beside her, Owen tried to remain calm, but it was clear that fear for his sister weighed heavily on him. Fabian nervously bounced her leg, lost in dark thoughts for her friend, while Daniel, who often brought lightness to situations, stared at the floor, visibly shaken.

When the doctor arrived with the news that Laura was awake but still in critical condition, a murmur of relief mixed with worry filled the room. Nona crossed herself in gratitude, murmuring a silent prayer for her granddaughter. Owen ran a trembling hand through his hair, exhaling a shaky sigh.

Daniel approached Morgan, who was also visibly shaken. “She’s going to be okay, right? She has to be,” he murmured, his voice filled with hope and a hint of desperation.

Morgan placed a firm hand on Daniel’s shoulder, trying to offer some reassurance. “Let’s hope so. She’s strong, Daniel. And she’ll need all of us to get through this.”

Nona, with tears brimming in her eyes, looked over at Fabian, who simply nodded in solidarity. Despite the differences that often arose between them, everyone was united in a single feeling at that moment: the desire to see Laura recover and to see her return to them.

Fabian, who rarely held back her thoughts, finally said, “It’s time for Nick and that wretched Loren to be gone from our lives once and for all. Laura’s already suffered enough.”

The doctor looked at the gathered group and continued speaking about Laura’s condition, giving them time to digest the information, aware that each word weighed heavily on them all. “Although Laura is awake, she is still in a delicate state. We need to closely monitor her recovery over the next few hours. She’s lost a considerable amount of blood, and her body is still fragile. Any sign of stress could complicate things.”

Everyone listened intently, trying to absorb each detail as the doctor explained the care Laura required. He stressed the importance of keeping visits short and calm to avoid overwhelming her.

“For this reason,” the doctor said in a calm but firm tone, “only one person will be allowed in to see her, at least for now.”

The silence deepened. Nona, who had initially intended to go into the room, looked down, her eyes shining with tears she was struggling to hold back.

“I… I don’t have the courage,” she whispered, her voice faltering. “How am I supposed to look at my granddaughter and hide that her son isn’t here with us?”

Those words struck everyone, and, one by one, the same fear and hesitation spread. Owen averted his gaze, clearly uncomfortable, while Daniel clenched his hands, feeling equally unable to face Laura in her condition.

It was Fabian who stepped forward. She looked at Morgan, her face filled with seriousness and expectation. “Morgan,” she said in a grave tone, but with a vulnerability she rarely showed. “This time, do the right thing. My friend’s been waiting long enough for you to act.”

Morgan nodded, feeling the weight of Fabian’s request and the silent gaze of everyone else. He took a deep breath, preparing himself to face not only Laura’s fragility, but also the difficult truth he would have to carry in her presence.

Morgan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility crashing over him like a wave. He stood up slowly, his hands still trembling, and gave the group a determined look. Without a word, he nodded, making it clear he would honor Fabian’s request and the silent wish of everyone there.

Leaving the waiting room, he headed to the small changing area in the hospital. The stillness of the space contrasted with the storm inside him. Morgan opened the locker and found the clothes he’d need to wear for the visit. His gaze lingered for a moment on the sterile gown, gloves, and mask he’d have to put on to see Laura. A sense of emptiness and dread filled him. Each piece he put on felt like a reminder of her fragility and the delicate situation they all faced.

Adjusting the mask, Morgan stared at his reflection in the mirror. His face looked more worn, marked by the long hours of waiting and the guilt weighing on his shoulders. He knew he had a lot to say to Laura, but he also knew words might not be enough now. Still, in that instant, he promised himself he would do whatever it took to help her.

When he finished getting ready, he closed his eyes and took another deep breath, as if gathering all the courage he had left. Then, with one last look at his reflection, he turned the doorknob and walked down the hallway toward Laura’s room, knowing that once he crossed that threshold, everything would change.