My Ex-Husband Billion Dollar Mistakes

Chapter 7-Nichole’s Recovery

Xavier's Pov

“Nichole!!”

Xavier jerked up immediately from his sleep as his head snapped back from the chair where he had dozed off. His eyes fluttered, and for a moment he didn’t recognize where he was. Pacing his eyes around ...and then he realised it was just a dream.

His gaze fell on Nichole immediately as she lay motionless, frail and pale, yet stunning even in unconsciousness. Her eyelashes rested lightly on her cheeks, her lips slightly parted and her breathing gentle. Her hair which was once meticulously styled, now lay in soft waves across the pillow. The oversized hospital gown looked big on her, making her look smaller than ever before. Since yesterday Nichole hasn't moved or woken up.

Xavier watched her helplessly, leaning back on his chair, his elbows resting on his knees. How he longed for her to open her eyes. He was deeply afraid of losing her to the cold hands of death after the accident. He had never been a man of prayer, but quietly inside his mind he found himself pleading. “Girl, I feel so much for you. Please, show me a sign you are okay. You don’t even know what you’re doing to me.”

He exhaled deeply, dragging a hand across his face, and forcing himself to believe she was okay, realizing it was just a mere wish. He hadn’t slept properly in the last two nights, not when she is in this state, unconscious and barely breathing.

Before he could snap out of his thoughts, his phone vibrated. He wasn't expecting any of his personal assistants to call him… not now… not when he is watching over Nichole. He glanced at the caller ID, but it was his mother, her name flashed persistently. “Mother not now”. He didn’t want to talk to her, even if he supposed to, but despite that, he knew ignoring her would only make her more relentless.

With a weary breath, he picked the call. “Mom?”.

“Xavier?” His mother’s voice spilled through the caller voice, engrossed with worry. “Son, where have you been? I’ve called you several times. The board has been trying to reach you, and…”

“I’m busy Mom,” he cuts in immediately, careful not to disturb Nichole. His eyes never leave her.

“Busy?” Her voice came again worried. “You sound worn out. Are you sick? Is something wrong? Xavier, talk to me.

“Mother, I'm fine okay”

“Son, talk to me,” his mother insisted.

“Mom, I am….”

Before he could finish….a movement caught his attention.

Suddenly, Nichole’s fingers just twitched…. Her right hand…. Once…. twice…and then again.

His phone slipped from his hand falling to the floor. “Xavier?” His mother called through. He didn’t even notice his mother was still on the line, he was already standing. He bent over her, his eyes wide in disbelief.

His heart nearly stopped.

“Nichole?” His voice cracked.

Her fingers curled again weakly, as if they were searching for something.

Then—she sneezed.

Xavier’s breath collapsed in his chest. He stared at her, completely stunned, unable to grasp the small miracle unfolding in front of him.

He looked around for the emergency telephone. His mind bewildered.

“H—Hold on,” he stammered to no one in particular as a chill of realization shook him even more.

Before he knew it he dashed out of the room shouting down the corridor, “Dr Vincent!” “Medical team!” “Please help!”

The nurses and Dr Vincent stormed to his direction on hearing his voice, their footsteps echoing rapidly from all directions, nurses, aides, and finally Dr. Vincent, hurrying into the room as Xavier led them in. His heart was pounding wildly.

Before the doctor could approach the bedside to check her vitals. Nichole's eyelids fluttered. “Doctor look!” A nurse beckoned pointing towards Nichole's fingers. All eyes were on her as her lashes trembled before her eyes finally cracked open.

Dr. Vincent gasped under his breath. “She…she’s responding? This is unbelievable.” All of them were shocked.

“Nichole?” Xavier whispered, stepping closer.

She moved her fingers again, then her body, her eyes slowly shifting toward his voice, sluggishly and unfocused. She blinked, her brows faintly furrowing as if trying to remember where she was or who he was. Xavier didn't know what to feel again, is it happiness or bewilderment.

She attempted to lift herself, but immediately a pain slammed her head. Her hand flew to her forehead, as she let out a small cry,“Easy,” Xavier rushed to her. Then her body sank back into the pillow.

He grasped her cold, trembling hand and she did not also resist or pull away. She simply held him weakly, as she tried to breathe through the pain.

He felt her skin cold under his arms and something inside him shattered at the feel of it. “I’m sorry I made you look like this s**t. Just stay still for now,” he whispered gently. “You’re safe here”.

She looked at him with half-lidded eyes, her voice barely audible. “Wh…who are you?” she asked weakly, squeezing her face, to remember who he was. Xavier squeezed her hand gently. “Just be calm for now.”

Dr. Vincent cleared his throat, clearly stunned and interrupting their moment. “Miss Nichole, how are you feeling now?”

Nichole tried to respond, but her voice cracked. Xavier lowered himself slightly towards her. He didn’t understand why his chest ached at the sight of her struggling to stay awake,which feels like a personal victory for him but still can't watch her rip in pain of what he caused.

“You’re going to be okay,” Xavier whispered again, gently stroking her knuckles with his thumb. “I’m here. I got you”

Nichole’s look softened slightly with a breath of hope. She blinked, as if trying to focus on him, then her eyes closed as she breathed through the pain.

The room was still tense with the shock of the miracle that just happened when the door creaked open.

They were not expecting anyone.

All eyes shut immediately at the door.

A nurse entered the ward holding a file in her hands. All eyes was on her. She didn't smile or felt relaxed, she rather wore a pale face. Every attention was at her. “Sir,” she spoke up, addressing Xavier, “There is someone here who is looking for Miss Nichole.”

Xavier’s eyes widened in surprise, Nichole gave a weak frown as both of them exchanged surprised glances.

“For me?” Nichole asked in a curious but weak tone.

The nurse swallowed hard.“Yes, he says he’s your father.”

Nichole’s whole body shook, her eyes widened abruptly in shock.

Who is it?” Xavier asked

Nichole flipped one hand on her mouth as tears welled her eyes.

“My… what?” she asked solemnly as uncontrollable tears welled up her eyes.

“Your father”. The nurse revealed.

Xavier got confused as to why Nichole was crying at the mention of her father's presence.

Before they knew it, Nichole jerked up immediately from the bed, pain ripping through her skull, she grabbed her ribs as they pierced with so much pain,

“Easy! easy!” Xavier shouted, trying to get to her to calm her down before she hurt herself again, but she didn't care anymore.

She stood up at her feet, pulling out the IV lines on her arms, she grabbed the sheets on top of her.

Nichole don't! No— no— no…” Xavier shouted but he can't withold her now from seeing her father. She shoved his hand away from her shoulders fighting against the stabbing pain in her ribs.

“I need to see my father,” Nichole responded amid tears.

“You will injure yourself,hold on please “

“No let me see him. If only you knew what it means for your father to be dead but now alive all of a sudden, after 20years of mourning his absence, you will let me be”.

“But you are in pain”Xavier said with so much pity in his eyes.

“I need to see him… please. Let me go.” Tears rolled uncontrollably from her eyes

The last word stripped Xavier of all his strength. He saw the panic, the trauma and old wounds in her eyes. He has never seen her broken like this before, he flipped glances with Dr Vincent who stood dumfounded and stepped aside as she staggered toward the doorway, clutching her ribs. Her feet were barely stable as she wobbled in pains outside the hospital ward. Xavier moved behind her, ready to catch her if she fell.