Chapter 893

Josie picked up the call, and Percy's voice on the other end was bubbling with excitement.

"Josie, Annika's gonna be okay."

Joy and relief brought tears to Josie's eyes.

"I'm on my way," she said, hanging up and striding forward with eagerness.

Meanwhile, Shay and Joelle were fuming, still nursing their faces from Josie's earlier outburst.

"Shay, Josie really doesn't respect you, does she? I can't believe she actually hit you!"

Shay could see right through Joelle's words—it was obvious Joelle wanted to use Shay to get back at Josie.

Shay tried to speak, but her face was sore, and her front tooth felt loose.

Rummaging through her bag, Shay found a face mask, put it on, and headed off to see a doctor.

Joelle trailed after her, not wanting to pay the medical bills herself. She figured, since she got involved for Shay's sake, Shay should cover the costs.

At the hospital.

Josie arrived at the ward to find Annika still unconscious.

Seeing that Annika had been moved to a regular room, Josie held onto hope that she'd wake up soon.

Percy joined her, standing by her side.

"Annika's too stubborn to leave us just yet. She's got a strong will to live; she'll wake up soon."

"Thanks, Percy," Josie said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Don't mention it, Josie. Annika and I go way back. Seeing her always feels like visiting an old family friend."

As Josie watched over Annika, she felt the heavy weight in her heart begin to lift.

Stepping out of the ward, they unexpectedly bumped into Oliver.

Both Josie and Percy were taken aback. What was Oliver doing here?

Percy was skeptical, doubting it was just a coincidence.

Josie suspected Oliver had heard about the situation and rushed to the hospital.

Approaching him, Josie asked quietly, "Oliver, how did you know I was here?"

"I told the hospital staff to inform me immediately if there were any updates on Annika."

Oliver took Josie's hand, joining her side.

Percy watched them hold hands, his face calm as if everything was perfectly normal.

"We should get going. Call me if anything happens," Josie said to Percy.

With a nod from Percy, Josie and Oliver left together.

...

In Oliver's car.

"I'm hesitant to drive these days, worried you might just show up. It's safer riding with you."

Oliver chuckled. "Drive all you want

you can always get a ride if needed Orjust let me know where you're heading, and I'll drop you off."

"Our schedules don't always match. Waiting for you to pick me up isn't practical."

"I could get you a driver. Wherever you need to go, they can take you."

"No need, I can drive myself. Having a driver wait on me sounds like a hassle."

Leaning back, Josie pulled out a candy from her bag.

The sweet taste spread quickly, dissolving into nothing—a fleeting joy that reminded Josie of simpler times.

"Oliver, want a candy?"

Oliver leaned in close.

"I'd love one."

With that, Oliver's right hand cradled

the back of Josie's head, his lips meeting hers in a kiss meant to

taste the candy but turning into something more.

Josie tried to push him away, but Oliver's strength was overwhelming. he

h the kiss, she found

herself unable to resist. .net

Finally, when Josie was nearly out of breath, Oliver reluctantly let her go.

Josie gasped for air, her lips glossy and inviting.

Looking into her eyes, Oliver's voice was low and enticing: "Josie, don't tempt me."

"It's you who's tempting me, not the other way around," she retorted, her heart racing from the unexpected intimacy.