Chapter 19

Evelyn

Wrapped in a thin fleece blanket, clutching the ends and hugging it close to my chest, my eyes remain fixed on my once spotless white leather heels, now stained with dried blood. In a nervous rhythm, I tap the sole of one of the heels against the shiny marble floor of the medical ward that I have walked through many times in the past.

The first thing I did when we left the warehouse was call Riley, who immediately transferred me to the boss who gave us access to their medical resources. When we arrived, a number of doctors were already waiting for us. They rushed Noah into surgery, while Kyle provided any medical information about him, such as blood type and any other issues that might arise. In the year we had been together, we had never discussed any medical issues or details. It wasn't high on our priority list, but now, as I sit here, the harsh reality of the importance of this type of information is right in front of me .

Speaking of Kyle. I look up from my shoes to find him standing in a corner with his phone pressed to his ear, still wearing the clothes that are soaked in not only Noah's blood, but also the vomit that spilled out of his stomach when Kyle carried him to the car. He has been talking to his mom and dad ever since the nurse who had been collecting Noah's medical information left, updating them on the situation.

My attention then drifts back to the door in front of me, where the doctors and Noah disappeared long ago. The space between me and the door stretches out like an endless corridor of uncertainty, while its walls close in on me, suffocating me.

"How are you holding up?" Riley's voice cuts through and snaps me out of my trance as she sits down on the cushioned bench next to me and holds out a hot chocolate. My eyes focus on the spider tattoo on the back of her freckled hand. With trembling fingers, I take the paper cup from her. Its warmth seeps into my chilled fingers and I raise the hot beverage to my lips, taking a sip. The rich, velvety liquid coats my throat with its sweet, familiar taste. As the warmth spreads through me, the tension in my muscles begins to ease, my shoulders relax, no longer hunched, and I let out a slow, steady breath. "Thank you." I offer her a quick smile. "I'm scared. "

"The doctors will do their best to help him, don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"That's so easy to say, but you don't know what he looked like," I say through dry sobs, having already shed all my tears.

"You know we have some of the best doctors. Trust them." Her hand lands on my thigh and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

At the familiar sound of the elevator doors opening, both of our heads snap in the direction of the source. My gaze lands on the tall man walking in, dressed in a navy-blue suit. His short brown hair has a silver sheen to it, and the scruff on his face emphasizes his strong jawline.

Both Riley and I jump to our feet as the man approaches us. "Riley, Evelyn," he greets us with a stern expression as he comes to a halt in front of us.

"Boss." I lower my head, my eyes landing on his perfectly polished brown leather shoes. Picking at my cuticles, I try to suppress my anxiety. While I used to feel comfortable around the man who treats everyone who works for him like part of his family, I cannot deny the unease that comes with the changed circumstances. Not only am I no longer officially part of his workforce, but I also broke the promise I made to him.

"Call me Hunt. I'm not your boss anymore, Evelyn."

"I'm sorry." I swallow the lump in my throat.

"It's okay, and who is that?" My head jerks up to see Mr. Hunt looking past me, and when I spin around, I find Kyle walking back toward us.

"I'm Kyle Bennett," he says and extends his hand to my former boss, who accepts it.

"Bennett." Mr. Hunt draws out his last name. "Your father wouldn't happen to be Matthew Bennett?"

"Yeah, that's my old man." Kyle raises his eyebrows. "How do you know him?"

"Hm, interesting." Mr. Hunt looks him up and down with knitted brows before turning his attention back to me, completely ignoring Kyle's question. "Any news?"

"No, nothing yet," I say, and my eyes drift back to the door leading into the room where they are operating on Noah.

"They're doing what they can. Be patient." The boss's large hand lands on my shoulder and I nod. Out of the corner of my eye I see Riley leading Kyle a couple of steps away and engaging him in a quiet conversation. His face is twisted in annoyance, probably because the boss ignored his question, and if I know one thing about Kyle, it's that he hates being ignored.

Then I turn to look up at Mr. Hunt, who still has his eyes on me. "Thank you for everything." A small smile spreads across his face, and he gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. But don't forget, I'm not just doing this out of the kindness of my heart."

"I know." I let out an exhausted sigh.

"Good." The boss lets go of my shoulder when suddenly the door to the operating room swings open and a doctor as well as a nurse walk out, covered in blood. Their faces still covered by masks that hide their expressions, they look back and forth between everyone present as we gather around them before their eyes settle on me and Mr.Hunt.