"Let go of my hand, Christian!" Olivia suddenly yanks her wrist, forcing the grip of the man in front of her to loosen roughly.
The hospital corridor falls silent instantly. Christian Monroe stands there, his eyes glaring sharply, revealing traces of deep frustration.
"I’m just trying to talk to you, Liv," Christian says, his footsteps echoing as he approaches. "I’ve been looking for you for five years. You can’t keep running from the truth."
Olivia straightens the collar of her coat, her gaze cold. "The truth being that you cheated on me with Isabella on our engagement day? Or the truth that your family kicks me out when I had nothing?"
Christian clenches his fists. The weight of guilt is clearly reflected in his stiff face. "I know I was wrong. But that kid..." His eyes flicker toward the door at the end of the hallway, the inpatient room. "Who’s his father, Liv? Tell me!"
Olivia’s lips curl into a slight, sneering smile without humor. "That’s none of your business. Leave before I call security."
Footsteps suddenly break the tense silence from around the corner. Alexander Rington walks in, his perfectly tailored black suit radiating a commanding aura that presses down on everything around him. His sharp, eagle-like eyes lock onto Christian.
"Is there a problem here, Miss Carter?" Alexander’s deep voice booms, calm but full of threat.
Christian turns, surprise flashing across his face at the presence of Rington Group’s CEO. "Mr. Rington? How are you here?"
Alexander doesn’t answer. His steps stop right beside Olivia, creating a clear boundary between Christian and the woman beside him. "I ask my employee. Is this man bothering you, Olivia?"
Olivia takes a deep breath. Her chest rises and falls rapidly. "No, Mr. Rington. He was just about to leave."
Christian looks back and forth between Olivia and Alexander. Suspicion begins to flicker in his eyes. "Liv, you work for him?"
"Leave, Christian," Olivia whispers coldly.
Alexander steps slightly forward. His tall posture forms a shadow that looms over Christian. "You heard her. Leave now, or I’ll make sure Monroe Holdings’ partnership with Rington Group ends this very second."
Christian grits his teeth, his jaw tightening fiercely. Without a word, he turns and stomps off, his footsteps echoing loudly on the marble floor.
Alexander turns to face Olivia, who remains frozen. She clenches her fists at her sides, trying to hold back her trembling fingers.
"Are you okay?" Alexander asks softly, his tone softening slightly after the earlier sharpness.
"I’m fine," Olivia replies flatly, avoiding eye contact. Her gaze is fixed on the buttons of Alexander’s blazer. "Thank you for your help, Mr. Rington. You don’t need to go out of your way for this."
Alexander reaches into his pocket and lifts a plastic bag filled with some snack boxes and fruits. "I just brought this for Ethan. The doctor says he can go home tomorrow, right?"
Olivia’s eyes fixate on the plastic bag. Warmth mixed with anxiety stirs inside her chest. "You shouldn’t be doing this. It’s too much for a boss."
"I’m not doing this as your boss," Alexander quickly interjects. His hand gently presses the door to the inpatient room open.
Inside, a five-year-old boy sits on the bed, leaning back. His small face lights up instantly when he sees who’s entering.
"Uncle Alex!" Ethan cheers happily. His high-pitched voice breaks the awkward silence.
Alexander offers a rare smile—an expression no one at Rington Group has ever seen before. He steps closer to the bed and places his gift on the table. "How are you, my little champ?"
"I’m not sick anymore!" Ethan points to his left arm, which has an IV line attached. "The doctor says I’m brave."
Kneeling beside the bed, Alexander levels his height with the boy. His hand reaches out to gently stroke Ethan’s thick black hair. Ethan’s dark brown eyes sparkle as he looks at Alexander—a sparkle identical to the CEO’s own gaze every morning when he looks in the mirror.
Olivia stands near the door. Her fingers clutch tightly, her eyes shifting from Alexander’s jawline to Ethan’s nose. The resemblance is too striking. Every second Alexander spends with Ethan feels like a ticking bomb ready to explode.
"Mommy, does Uncle Alex bring cake?" Ethan asks, turning to his mother.
Olivia forces a slow exhale. She steps toward the bed, trying to keep a safe distance from Alexander. "Yes, sweetheart. But you have to eat your soup first before you can have the cake."
"You look tired, Olivia. You haven’t slept since last night," Alexander says softly.
"I’m worried about Ethan," Olivia replies briefly, her focus on tidying Ethan’s blanket, avoiding eye contact.
"The kid’s strong," Alexander says gently. His hand involuntarily touches Olivia’s shoulder briefly, offering a quick boost of strength before pulling back. "Just like his mother."
That touch makes Olivia flinch slightly. Suddenly, her mind flashes back five years—the warmth, the same touch, from a strange man in a dark hotel room.
The door to the room opens again. A nurse enters, carrying a folder of medical documents. "Good evening. I need to take some additional blood samples for final lab tests before the patient is discharged."
Olivia nods quickly. "Please, Nurse."
The nurse prepares a small syringe and collection tube. Ethan winces slightly, pulling his arm closer to Alexander, who stands close by.
"Hold still, champ. It won’t hurt," Alexander whispers, gently but firmly holding Ethan’s shoulder. The boy clutches his jacket sleeve, scared.
The needle slowly enters. Ethan closes his eyes tight until the blood draw is complete.
The nurse smiles kindly as she places a plaster on the injection site. "He was very brave because he’s accompanied by his dad."
"I’m not his dad," Alexander says firmly, but his eyes remain fixed on Ethan, who’s rubbing his arm. Doubt creeps into his tone.
The nurse is surprised, blushing slightly, feeling guilty. "Sorry. His face and eye shape are very similar to his father’s, so I thought—"
"No worries, Nurse. Thank you," Olivia interrupts quickly, cutting off the nurse before the situation worsens.
The nurse gathers her things and leaves, leaving an increasingly tense atmosphere.
Alexander remains standing silently, his hand still on Ethan’s shoulder. His gaze shifts to Olivia, filled with questions that begin to surface.
"I have to return to the office," Alexander says finally, his tone cold, professional.
"Thank you for your visit, Mr. Rington," Olivia responds with a forced formality.
Alexander heads for the door. Before opening it, he looks back. His gaze falls on a small photo inside Olivia’s open wallet on the bedside table—a childhood picture of Ethan with a silver anchor pendant hanging from his neck.
Alexander’s eyes widen slightly. His hand clenches tightly inside his suit pocket, gripping a small metal object—the same as the one he always keeps for the past five years.
"Good night, Olivia," Alexander murmurs softly.
"Good night, Mr. Rington."
He steps out and closes the door firmly behind him. Standing silently in the quiet hospital corridor, he digs into his pocket, pulls out the tarnished yet well-maintained silver pendant, and stares at it before gazing at Ethan’s inpatient room door.
Alexander quickly walks away from the corridor, pulls out his phone, and makes a call.
"Daniel," he says sharply as the call connects. "Cancel all my meetings tomorrow morning."
"Is there an emergency, Alex?" comes the voice on the line.
"I need you to arrange a DNA test as soon as possible," Alexander replies, his eyes sharp. "Use the blood sample just taken from the child named Ethan Carter."