Chapter 54

Chapter 54

BLAIRE

The hours crawled by, each ticking second intensifying the knot of

anticipation in my stomach. The sterile hospital room felt suffocating, its

white walls seemingly closing in on me as the silence lingered. Ten

hours had passed since the surgery commenced, and the absence of

news from the medical team only fueled the whirlwind of anxiety within

me.

I paced the room, the cool linoleum beneath my feet doing little to quell

the restlessness. The rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall echoed

the urgency of my thoughts. The weight of the unknown outcome hung

in the air, a heavy shroud that draped over every fleeting moment.

Unable to contain

my worry any longer, I approached the reception desk. “Excuse me,” I

implored the nurse on duty, desperation evident in my voice, “Is there

any update on the surgery? I need to know how he’s doing.”

The nurse, with a compassionate glance, reassured me, “I understand

your concern, and I'll check for any updates. Please give me a

moment.”

As I returned to the sterile confines of the waiting room, the passage of

time seemed even more elusive. Every unanswered question added a

layer of uncertainty, and the hushed conversations of other waiting

families served as a stark reminder of the shared. anxiety within these

hospital walls.

Finally, the door to the waiting room swung open, and a doctor

emerged. My heart sk ipped a beat as I rushed to meet him, a mix of

hope and trepidation coursing through my veins.

“Miss Banks?" he inquired, his expression revealing the gravity of the

news he carried. “Yes, that's me,” I replied, my voice trembling with a

mixture of fear and anticipation.

He took a moment, his eyes searching mine. “The surgery was

challenging, but your son is stable. Let's just hope and pray that

nothing will nothing within forty-eight hours, and we are cautiously

optimistic about his recovery.”

Relief flooded over me, an overwhelming wave that momentarily left me

breathless. “Can I see him?” I managed to ask, my gratitude seeping

into every word.

The doctor nodded, understanding the depth of my concern. “Certainly,

Mrs. Anderson. He's in the recovery room. Follow me.”

As we navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the hospital, my heart

echoed with a symphony of emotions — gratitude, relief, and lingering

anxiety about the crucial forty

09:15 Mon, 22 Jan ti

Chapter 54

45%

eight hours ahead. The sterile atmosphere of the hospital seemed to

blur as I focused on the imminent reunion with my son.

Entering the recovery room, I saw him lying there, still connected to

monitors and surrounded by the soft hum of medical equipment. His

eyes flickered open approached, and a fragile smile played on his lips.

as I

“Mom,” he whispered, a mix of vulnerability and reassurance in his

voice.

The floodgates of my emotions opened, and I reached for his hand,

squeezing it gently. “You made it through, sweetheart,” I said, my words

carrying a depth of maternal love and relief.

The doctor, giving us a moment, quietly exited the room, leaving us

immersed in the intimate cocoon of the recovery space. The next forty-

eight hours held the promise of continued stability and the cautious

optimism we desperately clung to.

For now, I've chosen to delay returning to my hotel, and, in an effort to

thwart Sebastian's attempts to trace me, I've powered down my phone.

I left with the two million dollars he handed over, Sebastian, with his

adamant declaration that he'd his money's worth, wouldn't appreciate it

going to waste.

get

However, the urgency of Blaze’s situation compelled me to keep a low

profile, evading Sebastian's reach temporarily. My intention isn't to

vanish indefinitely; rather, I merely seek the time to ensure my son's

safety from potential threats. Once I'm confident that Blaze is secure, I

plan to fulfil my end of the agreement. My strategy involves sending my

son back to Hawaii before confronting Sebastian. With every passing

minute that Blaze remains in the same city as Sebastian, there's a

looming risk of him discovering the truth about our situation.

“Miss Banks, have some coffee, Sylvia's voice, gentle and comforting,

accompanied the warm embrace of a cup of freshly brewed coffee in

her hands.

“Thanks, Sylvia,” I expressed my gratitude, the fragrant aroma of the

coffee enveloping me. Sylvia, a recent addition to our lives, felt like an

angel sent to us in our time of need. Despite the relatively short

duration of her employment, she had already proven to be more than

just a caretaker. She treated Blaze as if he were her own, radiating

genuine care and concern that extended beyond the bounds of a

professional obligation. It wasn't just about the money for her. She truly

cares about us.

As I sipped the coffee Sylvia had generously offered, warmth spread

through me, both

Chapter 54

from the comforting beverage and the genuine care she consistently

showered upon us. In the midst of uncertainty and challenges, Sylvia

had become a pillar of support.

Blaze, engrossed in his toys nearby, looked up and flashed a small

grin. Sylvia's

presence had brought not just efficiency but a nurturing touch that

made our home feel like a haven during tumultuous times.

“Sylvia, your care means a lot to us,” I confessed, setting the coffee cup

down. “Blaze is lucky to have you by his side.”

Her warm smile persisted, carrying an authenticity that went beyond the

confines of professional duty. “I genuinely care for both of you, Miss

Banks. Money is one thing, but seeing you and Blaze safe and happy is

my true reward. Besides, Blaze is such a sweet and loving kid. He

reminds me of my son that I left in the Philippines.”

The mention of her son brought a tender touch to her expression, a

glimpse into the layers of her life that extended beyond the walls of our

home. In her eyes, I saw a reflection of a mother’s love, transcending

borders and distances.

“I can't imagine being separated from my son, she continued, her voice

softening with a mix of nostalgia and longing. “But knowing I can

provide care and love to Blaze makes being away from my own a bit

more bearable. It's like having a piece of home right here.”

Her words resonated, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and

the intricate threads that connected us. Sylvia had brought more than

her professional skills into our lives; she brought a compassionate heart

that made the challenges we faced more surmountable.

“Thank you, Sylvia,” I said sincerely, touched by the depth of her

commitment. “Your presence means the world to us. We're fortunate to

have you.”

“It looks like Blaze is getting better. Though I don’t see him going home

anytime soon, but at least he’s definitely out of danger,” Sylvia

commented,

“Yeah, and that's more than enough for me.

“Go d is with him, Miss Banks.

“Blaire. Please call me Blaire,” I told her.

She then smiled before nodding gently in confirmation. It's been one

week since Blaze's surgery, and everything is going well. Now that

everything is fine here, I think it's time for me to face Sebastian.

After I finished my coffee, I grabbed my bag and prepared to leave.

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Chapter 54

“You're going somewhere, mommy?” Blaze asked when he noticed me.

Sylvia is currently peeling and cutting him some fruit.

“Yes, baby. I'll try to be back as soon as possible.”

“Alright, Mom. Love you. I'll see you later. Take care and don’t overwork

yourself, okay? Love you, Blaze expressed.

I can’t help but smile upon hearing those words from him. “I will. You

take care as well, okay? Call me if you need anything,” I said before

planting a soft k*ss on his forehead. “I'll go ahead, Sylvia. Please take

care of my son.”

“I will, Blaire. Don’t worry,’ she answered.

After leaving the hospital, I made my way back to the hotel, the urgency

of fresh clothes. and a proper shower dominating my thoughts. I

wanted to freshen up before going to his office and finally face

Sebastian. However, my return to the hotel's lobby was met with an

unexpected turn of events. Two imposing figures come out of nowhere,

forcefully grabbing me and unceremoniously shoving me into a black

sedan waiting outside the lobby.

As the door slammed shut, my eyes widened in surprise and a tinge of

fear when I saw Sebastian inside, his normally composed demeanour

replaced by a dark scowl. His intense gaze bore into mine, and the air

in the confined space thickened with unspoken tension.

My breath caught in my throat as I became acutely aware of the

piercing intensity in Sebastian's gaze. A subtle gulp betrayed the

nervous knot forming in my stomach, a silent acknowledgement of the

gravity that hung in the air.

Sebastian's eyes now bore into mine with an unforgiving scrutiny. The

confined space of the car seemed to amplify the weight of the

unspoken tension between us, creating an atmosphere charged with

anticipation and a hint of apprehension.

I tried tom

composure, but the scrutiny persisted, cach passing moment feeling

like an eternity under the weight of his dark, penetrating stare.

After a few minutes, I finally had the courage to speak. “S-Sebastian... I

uttered his

name.

“I'm sick of playing games with you. No more running away, Blaire,” he

said with his

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Chapter 34

usual cold and baritone voice.

The car continued its relentless journey, each passing street and

intersection shrouded in mystery. Strapped into the unsettling

uncertainty of the situation, I remained clueless about our destination.

The low hum of the engine and the muted cityscape outside the window

intensified the surreal nature of the moment.

A heavy silence enveloped the car, broken only by the rhythmic sounds

of the road beneath us. I couldn't shake the feeling that the direction we

were heading held significance, a destination unknown but charged

with the weight of impending confrontation..

Gazing out of the window, I couldn't escape the realization that I bore

the responsibility for Sebastian's palpable anger.

“Where we going?” I asked curiously.

“To a place where you can't hide from me anymore,” he said with giving

much context.

Mean?" I

“W-What do you stammered, my heart racing in confusion. The

tumultuous

5 swirled in 1 whirlwind of

mind, but before I could articulate any of them,

the car abruptly came to a halt in an empty lot.

My eyes widened in surprise and trepidation as I noticed a private

plane parked right outside the car. The unexpected sight heightened

my sense of disbelief, and I turned to Sebastian with a mixture of shock

and urgency.

“Where are you taking me?” The question escaped my lips, laced with

both apprehension and the desperate need for an explanation. The

gravity of the situation intensified as the car rested in the silent

emptiness of the lot, the private plane poised to usher us into an

unknown chapter of our unfolding story.

Instead of answering, he grabbed my hand and pulled me as he got off

the car. I had no choice but to follow him. “Let's go,” he said as he

continued to walk towards the plane.

“I

“We can't leave! I won't go with you,” I exclaimed.

"I don’

think you've got a say in this, Blaire,” Sebastian declared, his tone firm

and unwaring. The weight of his words hung in the air, a declaration

that reverberated with a sense of authority. “I will not let you run away

from me again.”

Chapter

09:15 Mon, 22 Jan RE