Chapter 182


    021% # 113:33


    I woke up to the gentle aroma of sizzling bacon wafting through the air, apanied by the sound


    ofughter and soft chatter. The morning sun was gentle as it stretched across my face. I stretched


    and yawned, feeling content with the new day.


    “Evie!” Aria’s voice called out as I entered the kitchen. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.


    She was standing there in her pajamas, flipping pancakes with a sense of grace and expertise that


    made it look like she had been a chef in a past life.


    “Morning, sunshine,” she greeted me with a smile, a strand of hair escaping her loose bun.


    “Wow, you’re quite the cook,” I marveled, walking over to her, careful not to disrupt the wild pancake


    flipping she had going


    Sheughed. “Well, I have an audience to impress. They’re ying around in the living room.”


    1. on.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    She gestured to the girls, who were ying with Olive’s new toys in the living room, their giggles


    andughter making the morning even brighter. Once the food was ready, Aria and I served it to the


    kids, and they devoured it with the enthusiasm only kids could muster. As they finished. leaned over


    to me and said, “I can take the girls home after breakfast.”


    up, Aria


    The apartment really was so quiet sometimes.


    “Oh, thank you…” I hadn’t even thought of that, having already grown ustomed to them being


    there. “Also, I heard Olive talking to the other girls about her mom,” Aria added then in a whisper,


    and that made my ears twitch in alert.


    Emergency calls only


    I turned to look at Olive, who was deep in conversation with Lily, her eyes dancing with excitement


    and determination.


    #021% 13 33


    The morning continued to pass withughter and love as we cleaned up, and Aria prepared the girls


    as they were ready to head home. I stood at the entrance to the kitchen, watching as they gathered


    their things and exchanged hugs and goodbyes with Olive. The house was gradually emptying,


    returning to its quiet state, and the familiar sense of emptiness tugged at my heart..


    Aria approached me, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. “You two gonna be okay while I’m


    gone?”


    I smiled at her. “Yeah. We should be fine.”


    She nodded, her eyes darting to Olive. T’ll be back as soon as I can.”


    Once Aria left, I turned my attention to Olive. She sat in the living room, a thoughtful expression on


    her face. She was growing up so quickly it seemed, and I’d only known her for a short while.


    I joined her on the couch, my arm wrapping around her shoulders. “How are you holding up, hon?”


    She looked at me, her eyes searching my face. “I’m okay, Evie. But there’s something I need to


    do.”


    1 raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”


    She huffed, her gaze unwavering. “I want to visit my mom today”


    I took a deep breath, the knot of anxiety in my stomach tightening. “Of course, you can. We can go


    right now if


    you want?”


    Emergency calls only O


    Olive’s expression was resolute, her eyes filled with determination. “Yes, please.”


    I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I’m proud of you, Olive. You’re stronger than you


    know.”


    *D20% 13:34


    The drive to the hospital was filled with tension. Olive sat in the back seat, her anxiety almost


    mingling with my own. I couldn’t me her for feeling on edge; thest time she’d been to the


    hospital, it had been to see her mother, and the memories of that visit were undoubtedly haunting


    her.


    I tried to keep my focus on the road, my grip on the steering wheel tight. We were a silent duo, our


    minds preupied with the weight of the possibilities ahead.


    As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, I couldn’t help but feel my breath growing morebored by


    the second. Scarlett had been through so much, and the incident would leave both her and Olive


    emotionally scarred. I had to hold myself together for their sake, though I was constantlying


    undone.


    The hospital’s sterile halls felt both familiar and foreign as Olive and I made our way to the front


    desk. The hum of fluorescent lights overhead, the soft whispers of nurses and patients, and the


    scent of antiseptic filled the air.


    Olive’s grip on my hand was strong, her fingers intertwined with mine as if seeking reassurance. I


    offered her a reassuring smile.


    “Hi, I’m here to see Scarlett Fitzgerald,” I said to the nurse behind the desk, trying to keep my voice


    steady. “Can you tell me her room number?” The nurse nced at herputer screen, her fingers


    typing away. “Sure, let me check. Are you family?”


    gency calls only


    *D20% 13:34


    I hesitated. “I’m a friend,” I finally replied, not wanting the situation.


    to o


    The nurse nodded and provided me with Scarlett’s room number. “Room 305, just down the hall on


    your right.”


    Olive and I thanked the nurse and made our way to the designated room. As we approached, a


    sense of unease settled over me. I could feel Olive’s apprehension, and my own anxiety intensified.


    The hospital corridor seemed to stretch infinitely as we approached Scarlett’s room, each step


    weighed down by the anticipation of whaty ahead. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions, my


    heart pounding in my chest, anger and concern bubbling beneath the surface. Olive trailed behind


    me, her expression nk.


    The door to Scarlett’s room was slightly ajar, and I could see someone standing just outside.


    It was Ste.


    Ste turned to fare us, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw Olive and me approaching. Her


    face contorted with repulsion at my presence.


    “What are you doing here?” Ste’s voice,ced with thinly veiled hostility, cut through the air like a


    sharp de. Her eyes, sharp and calcting, met mine, daring me to challenge her presence.


    I squeezed Olive’s hand, guiding her to continue walking past Ste. “We’re here to see Scarlett,” I


    replied calmly.


    Ste’s gaze shifted and her eyes narrowed as she spotted Olive beside me. “What are you doing


    with my niece?” she asked, her toneced with. suspicion.


    Emergency calls only


    “Evie’s taking care of me,” Olive replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “While


    Mommy’s sick.”


    #0 20% 13:34 希網創20年


    Ste hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between us. “I’m her aunt. Why would Scar let


    you take care of her?” Ste replied, her tone guarded.


    The atmosphere crackled with unspoken words, and I could feel the tension escting. My instincts


    screamed at me to protect Olive, to shield her from whatever storm Ste might bring. I turned to


    Olive, my voice low and urgent.


    “Olive. I think it might be best if we leave. Maybe another time?”


    Before Olive could respond. Ste interjected, her voice surprisingly calm. “There’s no need for that,


    Evie. I dropped the protective order against you. I blinked, taken aback by her statement. “What?


    Why?” The question escaped my lips before I could stop it, a mix of surprise and suspicion coloring


    my words.


    Ste’s gaze softened, if only for a moment. “At Timothy’s request. He thought it was best to let


    bygones be bygones, for now.”


    Before I could respond, the door to Scarlett’s room swung open, and a doctor stepped out. His


    expression was neutral, giving away nothing of


    Scarlett’s condition.


    Ms. Fitzgerald is stable now. You can go in and speak with her if you’d like?”


    Relief washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the anger and frustration. I exchanged a quick nce


    with Ste before turning back to the doctor. “Thank you.” I murmured, my voice tight with


    apprehension as I guided Olive inside the room.