Chapter 17
895 Words
"If you see Serena, could you please tell her... I'll wait for her, no matter how long it takes? Can you do that?" Vivienne's eyes glimmered with desperation, her voice pleading.
Ethan nodded instinctively. "Sure, Ms. Devereaux. Goodbye."
He had only taken a few steps before he turned back. "Ms. Devereaux, is there something specific you need from Serena? I could pass along a message if I see her."
Vivienne's gaze darted away. "Oh, no... nothing really. It's just... it's been so many years. I miss her."
"Is that so?" Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly, skeptical, but he chose to let it slide.
When he returned to the hospital room, Serena was still fast asleep.
Her face was twisted with discomfort, and she muttered incoherently.
Ethan sat down beside her, watching her closely in a way he only dared when she wasn't awake.
She'd lost weight. The sight stirred a pang of guilt in his chest. He gently lifted her cold hand, pressing it to his warm cheek.
"Rena... why are you so hard on yourself?" he whispered, the ache in his heart tightening. Leaning down, he placed the softest of kisses on her pale lips.
The kiss was like a feather—light, tender, fleeting, like a moment suspended in air. It jolted him, causing him to pull back quickly, his heart racing like a kid caught stealing candy.
His chest only relaxed once he confirmed she was still deep in her slumber.
As night fell, the dim light of the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the room. It felt almost dreamlike when Serena finally stirred awake.
"EJ," she murmured, her lips cracked and dry, stinging with pain.
"You're awake." Ethan snapped out of his daze, immediately alert. "Are you feeling any pain?"
"Better," she replied, managing a weak smile.
He adjusted her pillows and poured her a glass of water, carefully helping her take small sips.
"EJ," Serena's gaze never left his, her voice softer than usual, her face unusually vulnerable.
"What is it? Something still hurting?" He set the cup down, worry creasing his brow.
"Hold me... please?" Her voice wavered, the memories of her past stirring inside her, dark and painful.
Before the words had fully left her lips, she found herself enveloped in his warm embrace. "This hug has always been yours whenever you needed it," Ethan said, his voice tight with emotion.
He could feel her pretending to be strong, and it tore him apart. The pain in his chest was almost unbearable.
Her eyes filled with unshed tears, the heat of them stinging. Finally, one fell, landing on his shoulder and disappearing into the fabric.
"Cry if you need to," he whispered, rubbing her frail back in soothing circles, his own eyes stinging with the threat of tears.
And with that, Serena broke down. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed, letting all the grief and fear pour out.
The next morning, after feeding her breakfast, Ethan hurried off to take care of some urgent business at the office.
Not long after his departure, the peace of the hospital room was shattered by the sudden arrival of a furious Alexander.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Were you not looking where you were going? Driving while you're off in la-la land? Seriously, what the hell were you thinking?" His words came out like a barrage, leaving no room for explanations.
Serena blinked at him, stunned. All she wanted was a peaceful nap, and now this storm had blown in out of nowhere. "Mr. Sinclair, have I done something to offend you?" she asked coolly, her icy eyes returning to their usual distant, guarded expression.
"What the hell happened to you?" he snapped, glaring at her leg, now wrapped in thick bandages.
He dropped into the chair beside her bed, tugging at his tie in frustration.
He had just returned from a business trip, only to hear that she had landed herself in the hospital. It infuriated him.
"What happened?" Serena glanced down at herself. "Surely, you didn't come all this way just to see me like this, right?" she asked, pausing for a moment before delivering the final blow, "Are we even that close?"
"What did you just say?" Alexander shot up from his chair. "You're saying we're *not* close?" His voice was loud enough to attract a nurse's attention outside.
"Sir, you—"
"Get out!" Alexander's fierce glare sent the nurse scurrying out of the room.
"Why are you so worked up?" Serena asked calmly, her tone almost amused by his temper. "There's coffee in the fridge.
Why don't you help yourself and bring me one while you're at it? Thanks."
"I'm not drinking any damn coffee," he muttered, slumping back into the chair and glaring at her.
How could she act so indifferent when he was this worried? It drove him insane. "What the hell happened? Seriously?"
"What happened?" Serena repeated, looking at him with a mix of boredom and amusement. "It was a car accident. What's the big deal? It happens to everyone at some point. No need for theatrics." She turned her head away, refusing to engage further. Talking sense to someone like him was futile.
"You…" He reached for her, but just as his fingers brushed her arm, a voice laced with amusement drifted in from the doorway.
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