Chapter 149 Old Wound
He squatted down, looked into Leo's eyes, his voice choked with emotion and full of regret. "Sorry, Leo, it's my fault. I shouldn't have let your mom get into danger or let her get hurt. Don't hate me, okay? Once your mom is better, I'll make it up to you both. I'll protect you and your mom well and never let you get hurt again."
"I don't want your makeup!" Leo turned his head away, refusing to look at him. His little hands gripped the chair armrest tightly, knuckles turning white from the effort. "I just want Mom to be okay. I never want to see you again! Go away!"
Luca stared at his stubborn back, his heart full of disappointment and guilt.
He knew Leo was just saying that out of anger, but behind the anger was deep disappointment in him.
Back then, as her husband, he hadn't protected Olivia. Now, as a father, he'd let her get hurt badly because of him.
He had really failed.
About an hour later, the doctor finally came out with the CT report, his face looking calm enough.
Luca stood up right away and went over, his heart in his throat. "Doctor, how is she?"
"No major issues in her brain, just a mild concussion. She needs plenty of rest." The doctor handed over the report, then added, "But we found her overall health is pretty weak."
Luca's heart sank. "What do you mean?"
"Her lungs show old damage, like from breathing in a lot of harmful gas years ago. And her uterus didn't recover well—probably suffered during childbirth and wasn't taken care of properly after." The doctor sighed. "Her body's not strong enough for this kind of thing. The hit wasn't too bad, but she still needs to stay in the hospital for two or three days for observation."
Lung damage? Suffering during birth?
That fire had hurt her so badly.
And giving birth—she'd been abroad alone with Leo, no one to help, so she'd gone through a lot.
And it was all because of him.
If he hadn't hurt her so deeply, she wouldn't have left for abroad, wouldn't have faced the pain of childbirth alone.
Luca gripped the report tightly, knuckles white, guilt and self-blame flooding him like a wave, nearly drowning him.
"Thanks, doctor. Please take good care of her." His voice was hoarse, eyes red.
The nurse wheeled Olivia back to the room. She still wasn't awake, face pale, brows furrowed like she was in pain even in her sleep.
Luca had the nurse pull the extra bed over so Leo could lie down and rest. The little guy had cried so much he was exhausted, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but his small hand still clutched Olivia's clothes.
Luca sat in the chair by the bed, eyes fixed on Olivia's face, his heart a mix of feelings.
He reached out to smooth her furrowed brows, but stopped his fingers just before touching her forehead.
He didn't deserve to.
He'd pushed her away himself back then, letting her suffer so much. How could he touch her now?
But seeing her dry, cracked lips, Luca couldn't help getting up. He poured a cup of warm water, dipped a cotton swab in it, and gently wiped her lips.
His touch was so soft, like handling a priceless treasure, afraid even a little pressure would hurt her.
As he wiped, he repeated in his mind: Olivia, I'm sorry. It's all my fault.
If he could go back in time, he wouldn't side with Windy anymore. He wouldn't let her suffer like this.
He'd treat her well, protect her and the kid, make them the happiest people in the world.
But it was too late now. The damage was done. All he could do was try his best to make up for it.
Luca stayed by the bed, watching Olivia without moving, afraid to miss the moment she woke up.
The room was quiet, just their steady breathing and the occasional car horn from outside.
After a while, Leo rolled over and woke up groggily.
He rubbed his eyes, saw Olivia still asleep, and his eyes reddened again. He whispered, "Mommy."
Luca hurried over, keeping his voice low. "Leo, Mom's still sleeping. Let's not wake her."
Leo glanced at him but said nothing. He just climbed quietly to Olivia's bedside, gently holding her hand, eyes full of worry.
He still ignored him.
Luca felt a pang of loss but knew he couldn't rush it. He sat down in the nearby chair, trying to start a conversation.
"Leo, what's your favorite class at kindergarten?" he asked softly.
Leo ignored him, eyes fixed on Olivia's face.
Luca gave an awkward smile and tried again. "You said Dylan shared cookies with you before. Are you guys good friends?"
No response.
The little guy acted like he hadn't heard, treating Luca like he wasn't there.
Luca sighed, feeling a bit upset but mostly guilty.
He knew Leo was still mad at him for hurting Mom.
"Leo," Luca hesitated, then spoke. "I'm sorry. It's my fault Mom got hurt. From now on, I'll protect her and never let her get hurt again, okay?"
That hit a nerve. Leo finally turned, glaring at Luca with eyes full of distrust and resentment.
"You're lying!" Leo's voice wasn't loud, but it stung. "You can't protect Mom at all! When Mom was abroad suffering so much, where were you? Today, that bad woman bullied Mom, and she hit her head—where were you? You're not really trying to protect her. You're just a liar!"
The questions stabbed Luca like needles, leaving him speechless.
He opened his mouth to explain, but realized he had no right.
Leo was right. He'd never protected Olivia—instead, he'd hurt her over and over.
"I was wrong," Luca said, voice choking. "I was bad before and didn't protect Mom. I'll change. I'll prove it with actions."
"I don't want your proof!" Leo turned away again, ignoring him. "I just want Mom to get better soon. I never want to see you again."
Luca looked at his stubborn back, feeling helpless.
Luca stayed in the room like that—wiping Olivia's lips now and then, tucking in her blanket, glancing at Leo and trying to talk, but was ignored every time by the little guy.
Time passed slowly. It got dark outside, and the room was lit only by the dim bedside lamp.
Luca pulled out his phone and called his assistant, asking him to bring urgent work files and some food to the hospital.
He didn't want to leave Olivia and Leo even for a minute.