Chapter 16 Brooch
Hospital Ward.
Olivia woke up, still feeling a slight pain in her abdomen. She struggled to open her eyes.
Jason was by her side, looking down at a report. Noticing her movement, he immediately looked up, his eyes full of concern. "Olivia, you're finally awake. How do you feel?"
"Jason..." Olivia's voice was dry and hoarse. She tried to sit up but failed.
"Don't move. Just lie down and rest." Jason propped a pillow behind her and carefully tucked the blanket in. "You're severely anemic, and with low blood sugar and emotional stress, that's why you fainted. Plus, your body is really weak. You need to take better care of yourself." Jason paused, his tone a mix of reproach and heartache. "If you keep going like this, forget about surgery—you'll collapse first!"
Olivia's breath caught in her throat.
Is it really that bad…?
"Olivia, promise me, no matter what, take care of yourself first, okay?" Jason seemed determined to hear her assurance before he could relax.
Olivia felt a lump in her throat, almost tearing up.
At her most vulnerable and helpless moment, her husband wasn't by her side.
He's probably comforting Windy right now, isn't he?
And the first person she could turn to for help was a friend.
Olivia once thought that even if Luca didn't love her, after marriage, they'd spend their lives together and support each other. Now, it seems she was too naive.
"Thanks, Jason." Olivia forced a weak, helpless smile.
"No need to thank me." Jason smiled back and handed her a glass of warm water. "Drink some water. I've asked someone to prepare chicken soup. It'll be here soon."
Olivia sipped the water, feeling a bit warmer.
Her phone on the bedside table suddenly vibrated.
Jason picked it up and handed it to her, frowning slightly when he saw the name on the screen. "It's Luca."
Hearing that name, Olivia's expression turned cold instantly.
Without hesitation, she took the phone, pressed the reject button, and tossed it back on the table like it was contaminated.
Jason asked, "You fainted downstairs at his company. Was that because of him?"
Olivia shook her head, not knowing how to explain and not wanting to relive that moment.
When she was questioned, Luca doubted her. But when Windy was questioned, he defended her without hesitation, even trying to use money to hush things up and silence her doubts.
Seeing that Olivia didn't want to talk, Jason didn't push her. He said softly, "Here, time for your medicine."
Olivia nodded and obediently took the medicine under Jason's care.
The phone didn't ring again. But soon after, the ward door was forcefully pushed open.
Luca stormed in, full of anger, taking big strides toward them.
Jason was leaning over to carefully adjust Olivia's blanket, their faces close.
Luca's frustration flared up, and he couldn't control his temper.
"You again!" He walked to the bed, pulled Jason away, and demanded, "Olivia, why didn't you answer my calls? Why are you with him?"
He didn't hide his anger or possessiveness, as if Olivia needed his permission to be with anyone.
Jason stood in front of the bed, not backing down despite Luca's aggression. "Watch your tone! Olivia fainted! If I hadn't gotten there in time, who knows what would've happened to her!"
Luca froze.
"As her husband, you don't even care about her condition, and you're here questioning why she didn't answer your calls? That's too much!"
Luca was at a loss for words. He only knew Olivia had left the meeting room angrily, but he had no idea she'd fainted.
He looked at Olivia on the bed. Her eyes were closed, her lips pale and colorless, looking so fragile. She seemed much worse than yesterday in the office.
A sharp pain stabbed at Luca's heart. "I'll take care of my wife." Luca suppressed the strange feeling inside him, his tone still harsh. "But this has nothing to do with you now. You can leave!"
"The one who should leave is you!" Olivia opened her eyes, her gaze cold and full of disgust, no tears in sight. "Luca, I need to rest. Get out."
Luca's face darkened even more. He didn't leave and turned to Jason with a cold tone. "Didn't you hear? My wife needs rest. We need to talk privately as husband and wife. Please leave."
"Luca!" Olivia's breathing quickened with anger.
Jason worried that Olivia would get more upset. Luca's domineering and unreasonable attitude would only make her angrier if this dragged on. He took a deep breath, gave Olivia a reassuring smile, and said, "Olivia, don't get worked up. Rest well. I'll be right outside. Call me if you need anything."
He gave her a comforting look, shot Luca a cold glare, and walked out of the ward.
Luca quickly stepped over and shut the door.
"What are you still doing here?" Olivia turned her head away, her tone sarcastic. "Go keep Windy company. Stop looking for whoever messed with those documents, or I'm afraid she won't be able to handle what's coming!"
Luca's face grew even gloomier. He thought of what Windy had said, stayed silent for a moment, then pulled a bank card from his suit pocket and placed it on the bedside table. "This card is compensation for you. I'll keep investigating this, but I won't check the security footage." His tone was stiff. "Take… take care of yourself."
Compensation...
Olivia suddenly found it laughable.
Money can't solve everything. It can't erase the hurt from him repeatedly taking Windy's side.
"Luca, do you really want to make it up to me?"
Luca frowned, not understanding why she asked, but he nodded.
"Good." Olivia's voice was soft but firm. "If you really want to compensate me, go get something for me."
"What is it?" Luca asked, confused.
"Go to Windy and get me that sapphire brooch."
"A brooch?"
"Yes." It was a cherished heirloom Olivia's grandmother gave to her mother as a wedding gift, her mother's most treasured possession. Later, her father took it and gave it to Windy's mother. "I want that brooch. Otherwise, I won't stop pushing to check the surveillance."
Luca was silent for a moment.
He knew about the sapphire brooch. Windy treasured it and always wore it. If he took it for Olivia, Windy would definitely be upset. But looking at Olivia, lying weak in the hospital bed, he found himself unable to refuse her request.
"Fine." Luca nodded. "I'll get the brooch for you."
Olivia hadn't expected him to agree so easily. After all, she knew taking the brooch would upset Windy.
"But," Luca said, "you have to drop the project issue and not report it to the board. This ends here."