Chapter 163
Chapter 163
Christiana’s POV
The hospital stood ahead, its glass doors reflecting the late afternoon sun as I stepped inside, clutching the small basket of fruit I’d brought. My heels clicked softly on the tiled floor, the antiseptic scent faint but distinct in the air. I had debated this visit for hours, but something deep within me said I needed to come.
As I reached the front desk, I smiled at the nurse. “I’m here to see Sebastian,” I said, my voice soft yet steady.
The nurse glanced at her chart before nodding. “Room 304, third floor.”
“Thank you.” I nodded politely, took the elevator, and soon found myself outside his room. For a moment, I hesitated, staring at the number on the door. What if he didn’t want to see me? What if this was crossing some invisible line?
I shook my head. No. I came here for a reason.
Raising my hand, I knocked lightly before pushing the door open.
Sebastian was sitting up in bed, flipping through a magazine, his brow furrowed in concentration. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his pale blue hospital gown made him look younger, more vulnerable. When his eyes lifted to meet mine, they widened in surprise, his hand freezing mid–page turn.
“Christiana?” His voice was low, uncertain, as if he thought he might be imagining me.
stepped inside, offering him a small smile. “Hey, Sebastian. I hope I’m not intruding.” NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
He blinked rapidly, then shook his head, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “No, no, of course not. I just… I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I thought I’d check on you,” I said, placing the basket on the small table beside his bed. “And I brought you some fruit. Hospital food isn’t exactly gourmet, is it?”
Sebastian let out a soft laugh, scratching the back of his head. “You can say that again. Thanks… this is really thoughtful.”
I pulled up the chair next to his bed and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” he said, though his voice was tentative. He glanced at me, then quickly looked away, as if unsure how to handle my presence. “It’s… nice to have a visitor.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “Sebastian, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Relax. It’s just me.”
He chuckled nervously, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his blanket. “I’m not used to this kind of attention, especially from someone like you.”
“What does that mean? Someone like me?” I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended.
Sebastian’s blush deepened, and he stammered, “I just mean… you’re… you know, elegant. And busy. And I–well, I didn’t think you’d have time to visit someone like me.”
“Someone like you?” I echoed, my voice teasing but warm. “Sebastian, you’re a good man who’s been through a lot. The least I can do is check on you. Besides, I care.”
His gaze snapped to mine, startled, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he simply nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.
For a moment, silence hung between us, broken only by the faint beeping of the monitors. I watched as he struggled to meet my gaze, his hands still restless.
“Sebastian,” I said gently, leaning forward, “you’re allowed to let people care about you, you know.”
He exhaled a shaky breath, finally meeting my eyes. “It’s just… hard. I’m not used to it.”
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“Well, get used to it,” I said firmly, though my smile softened the words. “You’ve got people who care about you, even if you don’t see it right now.”
He gave me a small, almost shy smile, his lips curving awkwardly but sincerely. “Thanks, Christiana. That means a lot.”
“Good.” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Now, tell me–are the nurses treating you well, or do I need to have a word with someone?”
Sebastian laughed, the sound genuine this time. “They’re fine, I promise. You don’t need to go all boss–mode on them.”
“Hey, I’ve got to make sure,” I said with mock seriousness. “Can’t have you being mistreated.”
He shook his head, still smiling, and for the first time since I’d entered the room, he seemed at ease.
As we talked, I couldn’t help but notice how different he seemed here–more vulnerable, less guarded. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, and made me feel an odd mix of protectiveness and admiration.
The conversation flowed easily after that, the initial tension melting away. By the time the nurse came in to check on him, Sebastian was smiling and laughing like a different man.
I stayed seated, content to linger for a little while longer. For now, the world outside could wait.
A few minutes later, the nurse came to check up on him, and there was a pause on our conversation.
The nurse left the room, leaving Sebastian and me alone again. He looked more relaxed now, his face softer than the guarded expression I was so used to seeing.
“You should visit more often,” he said, his voice quiet but sincere.
I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I might just take you up on that.”
Sebastian gave me a small smile, the faintest pink tinting his cheeks again. “I wouldn’t mind.”
My phone vibrated on the table next to me, the sound slicing through the warm moment like a cold blade. I glanced at the screen and saw the name of my driver–bodyguard, Kevin. Odd. He never called unless something urgent came up.
“Give me a second,” I said to Sebastian, picking up the call. “Kevin? What’s wrong?”
His voice came through, steady but with an edge of tension. “Ma’am, I just arrived at the school to pick up Ethan and Emma as usual, but… they told me someone else already picked them up.”
The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My grip tightened on the phone as my heart started to race. “What do you mean someone else picked them up? Who?”
“They didn’t say. Just that a man came earlier claiming he needed to take them to you. I thought maybe you sent someone else?”
“No,” I breathed, my voice cracking. Panic began to claw at my chest. My head spun as the gravity of his words sank in. “Kevin, stay there. I’ll handle this.”
I ended the call, barely aware of the way my hand trembled as I dialed Alex. He answered on the second ring. “Christiana? Everything okay?” His calm tone usually steadied me, but now it only heightened my fear.
“Alex,” I said quickly, my words spilling out in a rush. “Did you pick up Ethan and Emma from school?”
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There was a pause on the ling. “No. Why would I? What’s going on?”
My throat tightened. “They’re not there. Someone else… someone else took them!”
“Christiana, calm down,” Alex said sharply, his voice firm. “I’m on my way. We’ll figure this out.”
But his words didn’t reach me. My body was already moving on autopilot, fear driving every step.
“Christiana?” Sebastian’s voice cut through the haze as I shoved my phone into my bag and stood abruptly. His brows furrowed, concern etched deep into his face. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” My breath hitched. I couldn’t even form the words. All I could see in my mind were my children, scared, confused, in danger.
“Christiana, talk to me,” he urged, his voice softer now.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t waste another second. Without answering, Lbolted for the door.
“Christiana!” Sebastian called after me, but his voice was distant, drowned out by the pounding of my heart.
I sprinted through the hospital halls, my heels clacking loudly against the floor, drawing stares from nurses and patients alike. My chest burned, my breaths coming in shallow gasps as I reached the elevator and slammed my palm against the button repeatedly.
“Come on, come on!” I muttered under my breath, every second feeling like an eternity.
When the doors finally opened, I stepped inside and pressed the ground floor button with trembling fingers. The ride down felt agonizingly slow, my thoughts spiraling with every worst–case scenario imaginable.
By the time I burst out of the hospital and into the parking lot, my mind was consumed with one thought: I have to find them. I have to find my babies.