Chapter 251

"Mr. Heath, it's really urgent-"

"Enough. I get it."

Steven shut the door, his steps heavy as he came back. His face was clouded with worry, eyes flicking to Lucie like he was searching for the right words.

Lucie's heart skipped a beat, her voice a shaky whisper. "What did Ruby say?"

Steven hesitated, his tone flat. “Nothing. I need to go to the hospital.” His expression only got darker.

Lucie's own panic flared up. She could feel something was wrong. "Did something happen to my grandpa?"

Steven stayed silent, the pause stretching on.

Lucie stumbled toward him, desperate. "Just tell me! Is it my grandpa?"

"Lucie, calm down. We don't know for sure yet."

But she barely heard him. Wrapped in just a bath towel, she rushed for the door. "Lucie, wait... Calm down."

The door flew open with a bang, and Ruby was still standing outside, nearly in tears.

"Ruby, did something happen to my grandpa?" Lucie blurted.

Ruby's voice was shaky, eyes red. "Ms. Anderson, thank goodness I found you. Rose called. Your grandfather had some kind of shock. He's at the hospital now, in emergency. The doctor said it's critical. They told the family to get there right away..."

Before Ruby could finish, Lucie's world spun. She went limp, collapsing forward.

Steven caught her, shooting Ruby a sharp look. "That's enough!" "But-"

Lucie's eyes fluttered open after just a few seconds. Her voice was raw with fear. Grandpa... I need to go to the hospital. Right now."

Steven didn't waste a second. "Okay. I'll take you. Breathe, Lucie. Maybe it's not as bad as you think."

She couldn't process anything except the need to get there. "Hospital. Now. Hurry."

He stopped her with a glance. "You're going out like that?"

Lucie looked down, realizing for the first time she was still in a towel. It was freezing outside.

She snapped back to herself just enough to scramble back into the room for her locker key. "Ruby, go to the changing room by the hot springs-grab my clothes."

"Right! Yes!" Ruby grabbed the key and bolted down the hall.

Lucie's hands were trembling, her whole body weak and dizzy.

Steven tried to steady her. "Don't do this to yourself—"

But Lucie broke down, pounding her fists against his chest, tears streaming. "You are such a jerk, Steven."

He wrapped her up in his arms, holding her tight. "It's okay. It's on me. Mercy Hospital has the best doctors. They'll take care of your grandpa."

All she could do was cry, completely overwhelmed.

"I'll change fast, then I'm coming with you," Steven promised, already moving to grab his own clothes.

A few minutes later, Ruby was back, breathless and flustered, holding out Lucie's outfit. "Ms. Anderson, here your clothes!"

Lucie grabbed for them, but her hands were shaking so badly she couldn't even get her shirt on. The fabric slipped over her shaking fingers, and she bit back a sob.

Steven stepped in, gentle and patient. "It's okay. Slow down. Let me help you."

He eased her arms through the sleeves, then crouched to help her with her socks just like he used to when she was pregnant and stuck on bedrest, always careful.

A mess of feelings hit Lucie-fear, grief, regret—but nothing mattered right now except her grandpa.

"Let's go," she said, her voice cracking.

Steven drove, the car cutting through the city as fast as he could manage.

Two hours later, at Mercy Hospital.

Lucie rushed to the surgical wing, barely able to breathe. "Rose! How is he? How's my grandpa?"

Rose and Madison were waiting outside the operating room, worry etched deep on their faces.

"Lucie, you're finally here! Where were you?"

"Forget that—just tell me, is he okay?"

Rose's voice trembled. "He's still in

surgery. The doctors said it was another brain bleed. They had to do emergency surgery, It's really bad. They sued a critical condition notice. I couldn't reach you, so signed all the forms."

Lucie felt like the floor dropped out from under her. "Brain surgery?"

Rose nodded. "He's been in there four hours already..."

Lucie's knees buckled. Steven caught her before she hit the floor, panic in his voice. "Lucie! Stay with meleased her

onto a bench and

called out Someone get a doctor!"

Lucie was shaking, her face ghost-white. "Grandpa... how did this even happen...?"

He was over seventy. The last brain bleed had nearly killed him. He'd just started

to recover. And now...

Steven held her close, voice low and steady. "There is hope, Lucie. The doctors

are still working. It's not over yet."

He pulled out his phone, dialing as

he spoke, "I'm calling the best specialists from New Amberton. They'll be here as soon as possible We're not giving up content