Chapter 165

Steven stood frozen in place for what felt like forever, lost in his own thoughts.

After a long moment, he turned away, shoulders slumped, and quietly walked out of the hospital.

"Grandpa, please hang in there. You have to make it through this," Lucie whispered, stopping at the door to the ICU. She pressed her hands together, silently praying with all her heart that her grandfather would survive.

Rose stood beside her, joining in the prayer. "Miss Lucie, he's strong. He'll pull through. I know he will."

"I really hope so," Lucie replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rose glanced at her with concern, speaking gently. "He needs to be watched in

the ICU tonight. Why don't you get some rest in the family lounge?"

Lucie shook her head. "No, I want to stay right here with him."

"Alright then. I'll stay too," Rose said softly.

The two of them sat outside the ICU, quietly praying, hoping for any sign of good

news.

Suddenly, Lucie's phone started buzzing in her bag. She glanced at the screen- Elio was calling. Normally, she would have ignored him. But after last night, she owed him. If he hadn't stepped in and guided her through everything, if he hadn't rallied everyone in the city to help lay five hundred meters of sandbags just for her, she might not even be here right now.

She let the phone ring five or six times before finally answering. “Hello?"

There was a pause on the other end. Lucie repeated, "Hello?"

Elio finally let out a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Wow, you actually answered. I was starting to think you'd just ghosted me for good."

Lucie frowned, unsure what to say.

"I stayed up worrying about you all night, you know. Sat outside your door the whole time. Not even so much as a goodbye when you left," he grumbled, sounding more hurt than annoyed.

Lucie's guilt crept up, and she apologized quietly. "Sorry, Elio. My grandpa... Something happened. He's in the hospital now. That's why..."

"What? Grandpa's in the hospital? Is it serious? Do you want me to send some doctors from Elmridge over?"

“No, it's alright. He's had surgery already. He's in the ICU now."

Elio let out a breath, his tone softening. "Okay. I'll let it go this time."

Lucie fell silent, her mind heavy and scattered.

"Um... do you want me to come by and check on him?" Elio offered, sounding genuinely awkward for once.

"No, but thank you."

He stammered, clearly at a loss for words-so unlike his usual sharp-tongued self. Around others, Elio was always the life of the party, quick to tease, never missing a chance for a snarky comment. But with Lucie, he always dialed it back. Her quiet, reserved nature wasn't what most guys their age found charming, but somehow, that drew him in even more.

He couldn't figure out why he loved her so much. The first time they met, he just thought she was pretty and sweet-the type he usually fell for He'd even bragged to his friends, "Give me three days, I'll win her over." But three days turned into weeks, then months, then years. It took him three whole years just to get her to warm up to him. And before he even had a chance to enjoy it, his big mouth ruined everything between them. Worse yet, right after they broke up, she went and married someone else in just three months. The news nearly crushed him.

After a long silence, Elio finally blurted out, "So... aren't you going to do something for me?"

"Huh?" Lucie blinked in confusion.

"I mean, I did save your life last night. Don't I get some kind of thank-you?"

Lucie was stunned. Was he really trying to cash in on gratitude right now? Whatever thankfulness she'd felt for him was instantly replaced by exasperation.

Elio laughed, a little embarrassed. "At least buy me dinner, yeah?"

"I... I'm at the hospital now. Maybe another time."

"That's fine. Just remember you owe me one."

"Okay," she said helplessly.

He pressed on, "When your grandpa's better, don't forget our dinner date."

"I won't."

"Alright, I won't bug you anymore. Hang in there."

"Bye," Lucie said softly and ended the call.

She let out a deep sigh, her emotions all tangled up. Compared to Steven's polished charm, Elio always seemed a bit clueless. But maybe that wasn't a bad thing. High emotional intelligence isn't alt it's. cracked realized up to be she Sometimes it just means you've been hurt enough times to learn how

to fake your way through life, saying all the right things to all the right people. But when you have real power and support behind you, like Elio did-with a family that would always have your back-you didn't have to be perfect, or pretend to be.

"Miss Lucie, have some water," Rose said gently, handing her a cup.

"Thanks," Lucie murmured, taking a few sips as her thoughts spun. Maybe she was overthinking everything. As long as Steven agreed to the divorce and she stayed far away from hire, things would be okay. If not, she could always move to Westbrook with her grandfather. After all, the Anderson family's roots were there; they owned the biggest antique market in the city. It wouldn't be hard to start over.

Night fell, and Lucie and Rose kept their silent vigil at the hospital. Her

grandfather still hadn't woken up.

"Miss, why don't you get some sleep in the lounge for a bit?" Rose suggested

softly.