Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Ivy had been uneasy since she left the house. First, the crash she had seen on the street made her stomach turn, and the pitied the innocent people who might have gotten involved.
When they drove past the site, Bud was unexpectedly squirmy, and it added to her discomfort. That man also had a stoic expression.
Then the discomfort turned into worry the instant she arrived at the hospital
And when she saw that Cole’s door was unguarded, the worry turned into fear.
With Bud and two other guards standing in the corridor, Ivy pushed Cole’s door open. Her anxiety spiked as she braced herself for the worst possible outcome.
But her fear dissolved into relief when she saw Cole sitting upright on the bed, laughing. That relief quickly turned to anger when she saw Kim.
“What is she doing here?”
Cole’s smile faded as his eyes darted around the room. Kim moved closer, far too confident for a woman who had almost ruined the family.
“Hey, Ivy. How are you doing?” she asked.
Ivy ignored her and turned to Cole. “Did you invite her?”
Cole didn’t say anything. He just lowered his gaze, and Ivy got the message. She turned to Kim and gestured to the door. “You need to leave.”
Kim held up a hand. “Ivy, I know that I’ve made a—”
“Get out before I have you thrown out!” she snapped.
But Kim didn’t shake as much as she wanted her to. Instead, she stepped forward, about to explain again.
“I’m sorry. Just listen to what-”
“I don’t give a fuck!” Ivy snapped. “Out!”
Kim hesitated, looking at Cole as if silently asking for help. The gesture made Ivy’s stomach turn.
What the hell were they looking at each other like that? Like they had just bonded? Or did… Cole…
She shook her head, driving the thought away. Cole wasn’t that dumb–he wouldn’t do anything stupid with Kim, not on a hospital bed and definitely not after everything.
The glances they exchanged only intensified Ivy’s anger.
“Bud!” she called, and he came in at once, “Take her out.”
Bud moved swiftly, pulling Kim out of the room. She didn’t argue, she just kept apologizing to Ivy as she was led away.
When it was just Ivy and Cole again, she sat down on the chair beside his bed.
“Sorry she was bothering you.”
“It’s okay,” Cole said softly.
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Chapter 162
“How are you feeling?” she asked, studying his face.
He looked like he was in pain, but otherwise he seemed fine.
“I’m getting better,” he said, confirming her thoughts. “How are you?”
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“Good,” she said, shifting in her seat. Her mind drifted to Rosie. “Where is Dad?” she asked, trying to hide the fear in her
voice.
But Cole sensed it. “I don’t know. Why?”
She knew telling him everything would only worry him, so she forced a smile. “Nothing. Just asking.”
Cole didn’t respond. He just settled deeper into the bed. She allowed the silence to linger for a moment before she spoke again.
“Thank you Cole. For saving me.”
He nodded, then extended his hand. She took it and gave it a gentle squeeze. For a moment, her fear faded. For a moment, she was just a little girl, protected by her brother.
The door opened, interrupting the moment. Ivy turned as a doctor and a nurse entered the room.
“Hello, Mr. Scott,” the doctor said with a warm smile. “How are you feeling today?”
Ivy stood, giving them space to attend to Cole. She stepped away, her mind drifting to Rosie again.
“I’ll be outside,” she said and quietly left the room.
“All good, ma’am?” Bud asked as she stepped out.
“Yes,” she nodded.
She sat on the iron chair in the corridor, waiting for the doctor to finish with Cole. Just then, her father approached.
“Ivy,” he said softly.
She stood, his soft tone still unfamiliar. “Hey.”
“Have you seen Cole?”
“Yes, the doctor is with him now.”
Patrick nodded, as if unsure of what to say. “I drove May and Rita home. They came to see Cole.”
“Cool,” she nodded.
They stood in silence, avoiding each other’s eyes. When it became unbearable, Ivy cleared her throat.
“I suggest you place more security around Cole. Rosie is still out there, and I fear she might… you know.”
“Oh. Okay,” he said, then immediately pulled out his phone. He dialed a number. “I need five guards as soon as possible.”
Ivy was slightly startled by how quickly he had listened to her without question.
“It’s done,” he said, tucking the phone away.
Relief swept through her, but she tried not to show it. “Thank you.”
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Chapter 162
Patrick raised his hand, then dropped it. “Can we talk… privately? I just wanted to say something.”
She gave Bud a look, and he and the guards moved away. Just enough distance without being too far.
“What is it?” she asked, bracing herself.
“I’ve officially stepped down as CEO. I’ve handed it over to Cole. I’m just waiting for him to get better before I leave.”
Ivy blinked. As much as she was happy he did that, she was also confused. “Leave? Why?”
“I didn’t do right by either of you,” he said quietly, lowering his eyes. “And I feel… it’s better to step away for a while.”
“Oh,” she said, not knowing what else to say.
“I hope one day you all forgive me. All three of you,” Patrick added with a sheepish smile.
The door opened, saving Ivy from an awkward response. The doctor stepped out, followed by the nurse.
“Hello,” he said warmly.
“Hi, Doctor,” Ivy replied, turning her attention to him. “How is Cole?”
“He’s doing well, but I’ll advise him not be disturbed. He needs plenty of rest.”
“Alright, Doctor,” Patrick said. “But he’s good?”
“Very good,” the doctor affirmed. “Excuse me.” Then he walked away.
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Ivy couldn’t afford to undergo the awkward silence again, so she entered Cole’s room. He was resting, but he opened his eyes when he heard the door.
She walked to the bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Get well soon, love.”
“Thank you, Vee Vee,” he murmured, struggling to keep his eyes open.
“I’ll see you later,” she said, straightening up. Her phone rang and she quickly silenced it so it wouldn’t disturb him.
Just as she reached for the door, Patrick walked over to her, sadness etched on his face.
“Ivy…” he began.
She knew he wanted to say more, but she wasn’t ready to hear it. Just because he was remorseful didn’t mean she had to forgive him.
She held up her phone. “I have to go. Sorry.”
“Ivy,” he called again, but she ignored him, walking away.
As she stepped into the corridor, she answered the call without checking the caller ID.
“Baby,” Silas’s voice filled her heart.
“Hey baby, how are you?” she asked, her spirit lifting instantly.
“Not so great,” he confessed. “Are you alone? Away from Theresa and Aria?”
His tone made her heart jump. “Yes… Why?”
He paused. “I’ll send you an address. Come meet me there. I’ll explain when you arrive.”
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Fear swept over her. But she said, “Okay,” and signaled Bud.
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She gave him the address, and her stomach tightened as Bud drove them there. When she realized it was a hospital, the fear doubled as she made her way inside.
Pulling herself together, she moved through the building, searching for Silas. Then she spotted him coming down the corridor.
She went to him, almost running, and he pulled her into a hug.
“Are you okay? What happened?” she asked.
“You should sit down first,” he said, gesturing to the long chair behind them.
Her stomach dropped, but she obeyed. She studied his face and saw how his eyes shone with worry.
“So,” Silas began softly, “there was a crash on our street.”
Her heart leapt. “Yes, I saw it on my way out.”
Silas took her hands, placing gentle kisses on them. Despite the fear in her heart, a chill ran down her spine.
“Rosie caused the crash. She intentionally bumped into Uncle Mike and Andrew.”
Ivy’s heart stopped. “Oh…”
“Uncle Mike suffered a head injury… but Andrew… he’s in a coma.”
AD
