The rain had started again by the time Damian pulled into the parking lot of St.
Victoria Hospital.
He switched off the engine but didn’t get out immediately.
For a few seconds, he sat in silence, gripping the steering wheel.
Hospitals were one of the few places that unsettled him.
They reminded him of loss.
Of the people he couldn’t save.
Taking a slow breath, he stepped out of the car and walked toward the private wing.
The nurses greeted him respectfully.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne.”
He nodded politely.
“Room 508?”
“This way, sir.”
Inside the room, an elderly woman sat propped up against several pillows, reading a novel.
Her silver hair framed a kind face, and despite the oxygen tube resting beneath her nose, her eyes sparkled with warmth.
The moment she saw Damian, she smiled.
“My stubborn grandson.”
Damian’s serious expression softened.
“Grandmother.”
He walked over and kissed her forehead.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’ve felt better.”
She reached for his hand.
“But seeing you makes me feel younger already.”
He smiled—a genuine smile that very few people had ever seen.
“You shouldn’t joke about your health.”
“And you shouldn’t work yourself to exhaustion.”
She squeezed his hand.
“When was the last time you took a day off?”
Damian looked away.
“I don’t remember.”
“Exactly.”
She sighed.
“The company will survive without you for one day.”
“But my grandson won’t survive if he keeps living like a machine.”
Back at Wayne Corporation…
Lily spent the afternoon reorganizing Damian’s calendar and answering emails.
As she was about to leave, Mrs. Brooks approached her.
“Lily.”
“Yes?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Mr. Wayne forgot some important documents.”
She held up a sealed envelope.
“He’ll need them tonight.”
Lily looked at the envelope.
“I can deliver them.”
Mrs. Brooks smiled.
“I knew I could count on you.”
She handed Lily the hospital address.
Lily arrived at St.
Victoria Hospital.
She checked in at the reception desk.
“I’m here to deliver documents for Mr. Damian Wayne.”
The receptionist smiled.
“Room 508.”
Lily thanked her and walked down the quiet hallway.
She stopped outside the room and knocked gently.
“Come in.”
She opened the door.
Damian looked up in surprise.
“Miss Carter?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, sir.”
She held out the envelope.
“You left these at the office.”
Before Damian could respond, his grandmother smiled brightly.
“So this is the famous Lily.”
Lily blinked.
“The… famous Lily?”
The elderly woman chuckled.
“I’ve heard your name twice this week.”
Damian cleared his throat.
“Grandmother…”
“What?”
She smiled innocently.
“You’ve never mentioned an employee before.”
Lily felt her cheeks warm.
“I’m just doing my job, ma’am.”
The elderly woman studied her for a moment.
Then she held out her hand.
“I’m Eleanor Wayne.”
“Lily Carter.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.”
Their handshake was warm.
“You have kind eyes,” Eleanor said.
“And my grandson needs more kind people around him.”
Damian sighed.
“Grandmother…”
“What?”
“You know I’m right.”
Lily couldn’t help smiling.
This wasn’t the intimidating CEO she knew at work.
This was simply a grandson being lovingly teased.
Eleanor looked at Lily again.
“Have you eaten dinner?”
Lily hesitated.
“Not yet.”
“Perfect.”
She looked at Damian.
“Take her to dinner.”
Damian nearly choked on the glass of water he had just picked up.
“Grandmother.”
“What?”
“She’s my employee.”
“And?”
“We’re discussing work.”
“No.”
Eleanor smiled mischievously.
“I’m discussing dinner.”
Lily laughed softly.
“I don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense.”
Eleanor waved a hand.
“My grandson has forgotten how to enjoy life.”
She looked at Damian. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“Consider this doctor’s orders.”
Damian shook his head in surrender.
“I don’t think doctors prescribe dinner dates.”
“They should.”
The room filled with gentle laughter.
For the first time in years, Damian realized how light the atmosphere felt.
And somehow…
Lily was at the center of it.
As Lily prepared to leave, Eleanor called her back.
“Lily.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Take care of my grandson.”
Lily looked at Damian, then back at Eleanor.
“I’ll do my best.”
Eleanor smiled knowingly.
“I have a feeling you will.”
Damian escorted Lily out into the hallway.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Damian broke the silence.
“Thank you.”
She looked at him.
“For bringing the documents.”
She smiled.
“It was no trouble.”
“And…”
He hesitated.
“Thank you for making my grandmother smile.”
Lily’s expression softened.
“She’s wonderful.”
A small smile appeared on Damian’s face.
“She is.”
They stood there for a quiet moment before Lily spoke.
“I should let you get back to her.”
He nodded.
“Drive safely.”
“You too… and I hope she feels better soon.”
As Lily walked toward the elevator, Damian watched her until the doors closed.
He didn’t know why.
But every conversation with Lily seemed to linger in his thoughts long after it ended.
Unknown to either of them, a woman stood at the end of the corridor, hidden behind a corner.
She had witnessed the entire interaction.
She slowly lowered her sunglasses.
“So…”
She whispered with a cold smile.
“This must be Lily Carter.”
She turned and walked away, already planning her next move.
The peaceful evening at the hospital had just become the beginning of a much bigger storm.