Chapter 115
Julian’s POV:
I woke up with a splitting headache. I blinked, trying to focus on the figure in the chair.
It was Sophia Morgan. She looked exhausted. She was leaning forward, watching me with deep worry in her eyes.
"You're awake," she said. "How do you feel?"
I looked around the VIP hospital room. "Why are you here?"
Sophia explained everything. Victoria had drugged my drink. She tried to frame me to ruin Maya.
The memory was a blur. "Last night..." I swallowed hard. "Did I do anything... irreversible?"
Sophia tilted her head. "Are you talking about Maya, or me?"
I froze. "And you?"
"Yes, me," Sophia said. She looked offended. "Is the idea of something happening with me that terrible?"
"I didn't mean that," I said quickly. It came out awkward.
Sophia pouted. "You don't remember? You were pinning me down. You were trying to rip my dress off. If the doctors hadn't rushed in, well..."
She didn't finish the sentence. I buried my face in my hands. I was mortified. I knew it was the drugs, but I had still crossed a line.
I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry. Truly. How can I compensate you?"
Sophia’s eyes lit up. "Compensation? Really?"
I stared at her for a moment, then shook my head. "Actually, never mind. No compensation."
"What?" Sophia frowned. "Why did you change your mind so fast?"
"I thought about it," I said, swinging my legs off the bed. "You’ve been chasing me for months. Last night, the doctors stopped me. You’re probably annoyed that you didn't get what you wanted."
I looked at her calmly. "So, technically, I got the short end of the stick. And you didn't take advantage of me. We are even."
Sophia gaped at me. "Julian Garrison, you are unbelievable. You can really twist things around."
"Am I wrong?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes!" she huffed. "I like you, sure. But I want to wait until we are married. Or at least until you are sober. I don't want to sleep with a drugged man. It’s not romantic."
I looked at her. "Thank you for not taking advantage of the situation," I said sincerely.
I started putting on my shoes.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Discharged. I'm leaving."
"Oh. I'll walk out with you."
I walked toward the door but stopped abruptly to check my pockets for my phone. Sophia didn't stop in time. She slammed right into my back.
"Ouch!" She rubbed her forehead. "That hurt."
I turned around. "You should watch where you're going," I said, though I reached out and rubbed the spot gently with my thumb.
"You stopped suddenly!" she complained. She leaned into my touch slightly. "But since you are rubbing it, I forgive you."
I pulled my hand back. A heavy thought hit me.
"Maya..." I started, my voice tight. "Did I... with Maya?"
Sophia rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming. Maya wasn't drugged. She was perfectly sober. Adam Sterling took her away."
I felt a mix of relief and bitterness.
I walked out of the room. Sophia trotted beside me.
"Luckily you didn't touch Maya," she chattered. "You should have seen Adam. He looked like the Grim Reaper. It was terrifying. Victoria is done. Even if you don't kill her, Adam Sterling won't let her live this down."
Maya’s POV:
I had slept through the entire day after Adam brought me home.
My stomach growled. I dragged myself out of bed and went to the kitchen to boil some pasta. Just as the water started to heat up, my phone rang.
It was Linda.
"Ms. Bennett, you need to come," Linda said. She sounded exhausted. "Your mother is throwing things. She’s screaming. We can't control her."
"I'm coming."
I ate my pasta slowly. I washed the bowl. I put on my coat. I refused to let Patricia’s tantrums dictate my pace.
When I arrived at the facility, I could hear Patricia screaming from the hallway.
"Get out! All of you! You want to hurt me! I don't want you here!"
I walked into the room. Pillows were scattered on the floor. Patricia was red-faced, pointing at the two nurses.
"I want my son! Get Ryan! Call Ryan!"
"Your son isn't answering," Linda said. "We can't find him."
"Where is my phone?" Patricia shrieked. "Give me my phone! I need to call him!"
"Mr. Ryan took your phone," the nurse snapped. "Last week. I saw him put it in his pocket. He probably didn't want you calling him."
"Liar!" Patricia threw a plastic cup at her. "He would never! You are evil! Get out!"
The nurse turned to leave and saw me. "Ms. Bennett. Finally. We quit. She is abusive. We can't do this job."
I looked at Patricia. She was panting on the bed, looking wild.
"I'll give you each an extra thousand dollars," I told the nurses calmly. "Cash. Just stick it out."
They hesitated. "Fine," one muttered. "But only because of the money."
"Go take a break," I said. "I'll handle her."
The nurses left. I walked to the bedside. I didn't say hello. I took out my phone and dialed Ryan’s number.
He answered on the fourth ring. I put it on speaker and held it out to Patricia. "Speak."
Patricia grabbed the phone like a lifeline. "Ryan? Ryan, honey, where are you?"
Ryan’s voice came through, sounding guilty. "Hey, Mom. I'm... I'm in Cleveland. The company called me back for an emergency. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"Cleveland?" Patricia looked crushed.
"Yeah. And about your phone... I accidentally took it. It was in my pocket. Sorry, Mom."
Patricia believed it instantly.
"Oh, work is important," she said, her voice softening. "I understand. When will you visit?"
"Soon, Mom. I gotta go. My boss is calling."
"Wait, Ryan—these nurses are horrible, I—"
Ryan had already hung up.
Patricia stared at the phone. Then she handed it back to me, glaring.
I put the phone away. "You know he’s not coming. So stop screaming."
"You did this," Linda spat. "You hired these people to torture me."
I almost laughed. "Mom, do you think I have money to burn? I'm not paying people to torture you. I don't hate you that much. And I certainly don't love you enough to waste effort on revenge. You aren't worth it."
Linda froze. She looked shocked by my coldness.
"Stop making a scene," I said flatly. "If the hospital kicks you out, I won't stop them. These nurses are the only ones willing to clean up your mess. Be polite. Not everyone is like me—willing to take your abuse in silence."
I turned around and walked out.
I sat in my car. I had slept all day, so I wasn't tired. I didn't want to go back to the empty apartment yet.
I called Chloe. Maybe we could grab a drink.
The phone rang for a long time. Finally, Chloe picked up.
"Hello?"
Her voice was husky. Breathless.
I paused. In the background, I heard a low moan and the rustle of sheets.
"Uh..." I cleared my throat. "Never mind. I'm good. You guys... continue."