Chapter 152 Tearing Off All Pretenses
Olivia's head was splitting from all the noise. She was already dizzy from the concussion, and now she felt even worse.
Some blurry images suddenly flashed in her mind: as a kid by the lake, a little boy fell into the water, and she desperately pulled him out with a tree branch; on the grass, the two of them sharing a sandwich under the blinding sun...
The images flashed by so fast she couldn't hold onto them, and her head hurt even more.
She clutched her head, frowning in pain, her face turning even paler.
"Mom! What's wrong?" Leo quickly grabbed her arm, shouting with worry on his face.
Luca noticed something was off, too. His face changed, and he rushed over. "Olivia, are you okay? Is your head hurting bad?"
He immediately hit the call button by the bed and urgently told the nurse who ran in, "Get the doctor now! Her head hurts really bad!"
The doctor came quickly, did a brief check on Olivia, reviewed her previous CT scan, and let out a sigh of relief. "No big issue. It's just a headache from the concussion, plus too much emotional stress. She needs good rest. Don't let her get upset anymore."
The doctor gave a few more instructions, prescribed some pain meds, and left.
Luca looked at Olivia leaning against the headboard, her face pale, and felt heartbroken and guilty.
He shouldn't have argued with Windy earlier and let it upset Olivia.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have let her make a scene here and upset you." Luca apologized softly, full of regret in his voice.
Olivia kept her eyes closed and didn't reply. She was still thinking about those flashing images.
She knew they were missing pieces of her childhood memories. That's why she went to Jason for treatment—to get them back. But they always flashed by too fast, and she couldn't grab the details.
She vaguely felt these memories had something to do with Luca, but she just couldn't remember what.
"You can go now." Olivia opened her eyes and said tiredly. "I want to rest."
Luca saw how worn out she looked and felt reluctant to leave, but he knew he shouldn't bother her more. He nodded. "Okay, I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
He turned to Leo and said softly, "Leo, take good care of Mom. Call me if anything happens."
Leo nodded without speaking, just holding Olivia's hand tightly.
Luca gave Olivia one last look, then walked out of the room. He dragged the still crying Windy off the floor and pulled her out too.
The door closed gently, and the room finally went quiet.
Leo looked at his mom's pale face and said softly, "Mom, rest well. I'll stay with you the whole time."
Olivia touched his head and forced a smile. "Okay, sweetie."
She closed her eyes, her mind a total mess.
Outside the room, Luca pulled Windy to the end of the hallway and stared at her coldly. "This is my last warning. Stay away from Olivia and Leo. Don't mess with their lives anymore. Otherwise, you'll pay for the lie you told back then."
Windy looked into his cold eyes and felt terrified. She knew he meant it this time.
She didn't dare make a fuss, just nodded while crying. "I get it. I won't bother them anymore."
Then she turned and hurried out of the hospital, looking messy. But deep down, she planted a seed of hate.
She wouldn't let it go like this. Even if she couldn't have Luca, she wouldn't let Olivia and Leo have it easy!
Luca watched her go, his eyes full of cold anger.
He'd stay at the hospital, wait for Olivia to recover, and wait for her to give him a chance.
Even if she never forgave him, he'd quietly protect them from a distance and not let them get hurt again.
In the room, Olivia fell asleep under the meds, but her brows were still furrowed tight, like she was hurting even in her dreams.
Leo lay by the bed, holding her hand tight, and slowly fell asleep too.
The next morning, the lawyer brought the notarized agreement.
Luca took it into the room. Olivia was awake, dressing Leo.
"I brought the agreement. Take a look. If it's okay, we can go notarize it now." Luca handed it to her.
Olivia didn't even glance at it and pushed it away. "No need. I don't want your money or any ties to you."
"It's not about ties. It's my way of showing I'm serious." Luca insisted. "Even if you don't forgive me, this guarantees you and Leo's life with no worries."
Leo looked at his mom and Luca and said quietly, "Mom, just look at it. What if he changes his mind later?"
Olivia paused, seeing the worry in her son's eyes, and softened.
She knew he wouldn't say it, but he was scared Luca might try to take him away.
This agreement might ease his fears.
She took it, skimmed through quickly. It matched what Luca said—no tricks.
"No need to notarize it." Olivia set it aside. "You keep it. I trust you won't back out, and I hope you stick to your word."
Luca was thrilled inside. Her taking it meant she was starting to soften a bit.
"I will! I promise!" Luca said quickly.
Just then, Olivia's phone rang. It was Emma.
"Liv, you okay? I heard you got hurt and are in the hospital. I'm coming now!" Emma sounded worried.
"I'm fine, just a mild concussion. I'll be out in a couple days." Olivia said lightly.
After hanging up, Olivia looked at Luca. "My friend's coming. You should step out."
Luca nodded without arguing. "Okay, I'll be outside. Call if you need me."
He left the room, knowing it would take a long time to really get into Olivia's heart.
But he wouldn't give up. As long as he could stay near them, even just watching from afar, he'd be happy.
Emma got to the hospital soon. She rushed in, grabbed Olivia's hand, and looked worried. "Liv, how are you? Head still hurt? What happened?"
"I'm okay. Someone accidentally pushed me, and I bumped my head." Olivia downplayed it, not wanting to worry her.
Emma spotted Leo nearby and the agreement on the nightstand. She frowned. "Did that jerk Luca come bother you again? What's with this agreement?"
"He didn't bother me. It's proof he's giving up custody voluntarily." Olivia explained briefly.
Emma's eyes went wide. "He really did that? Is he up to some trick?"
"Probably not." Olivia shook her head. "He seems like he really wants to make it up to us."
"Make it up? Why didn't he think of that back then?" Emma got mad. "Liv, don't fall for his lies again. He's a selfish jerk!"
Olivia didn't reply, feeling confused inside.