Chapter 163

Christiana’s POV

The hospital stood ahead, its glass doors reflecting the late afternoon sun as I stepped inside, clutching the small basket of fruit I’d brought. My heels clicked softly on the tiled floor, the antiseptic scent faint but distinct in the air. I had debated this visit for hours, but something deep within me said I needed to come.

As I reached the front desk, I smiled at the nurse. “I’m here to see Sebastian,” I said, my voice soft yet steady.

The nurse glanced at her chart before nodding. “Room 304, third floor.”

“Thank you.” I nodded politely, took the elevator, and soon found myself outside his room. For a moment, I hesitated, staring at the number on the door. What if he didn’t want to see me? What if this was crossing some invisible line?

I shook my head. No. I came here for a reason.

Raising my hand, I knocked lightly before pushing the door open.

Sebastian was sitting up in bed, flipping through a magazine, his brow furrowed in concentration. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his pale blue hospital gown made him look younger, more vulnerable. When his eyes lifted to meet mine, they widened in surprise, his hand freezing mid–page turn.

“Christiana?” His voice was low, uncertain, as if he thought he might be imagining me.

stepped inside, offering him a small smile. “Hey, Sebastian. I hope I’m not intruding.”

He blinked rapidly, then shook his head, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “No, no, of course not. I just… I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I thought I’d check on you,” I said, placing the basket on the small table beside his bed. “And I brought you some fruit. Hospital food isn’t exactly gourmet, is it?”

Sebastian let out a soft laugh, scratching the back of his head. “You can say that again. Thanks… this is really thoughtful.”

I pulled up the chair next to his bed and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” he said, though his voice was tentative. He glanced at me, then quickly looked away, as if unsure how to handle my presence. “It’s… nice to have a visitor.”

I tilted my head, studying him. “Sebastian, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Relax. It’s just me.”

He chuckled nervously, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his blanket. “I’m not used to this kind of attention, especially from someone like you.”

“What does that mean? Someone like me?” I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended.

And busy. And I–well, I didn’t think you’d have time

echoed, my voice teasing but warm. “Sebastian, you’re a good man who’s been through a lot. The least I can

the conflict in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he simply nodded, his

the faint beeping of the monitors. I watched as

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Thu, Dec 12

Chapter 163

I said gently, leaning forward, “you’re allowed to let people care about you, you

meeting my eyes. “It’s just… hard. I’m

68%

it,” I said firmly, though my smile softened the words. “You’ve got

smile, his lips curving awkwardly but sincerely. “Thanks, Christiana.

leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Now, tell me–are the nurses treating you well, or

sound genuine this time. “They’re fine, I promise. You don’t need to go all boss–mode

sure,” I said

and for the first time since

talked, I couldn’t help but notice how different he seemed here–more vulnerable, less guarded. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, and made me feel an odd mix

easily after that, the initial tension melting away. By the time the nurse came in to check on him, Sebastian was smiling and laughing like a

content to linger for a little while longer.

came to check up on him, and there was a

alone again. He looked more relaxed now, his face softer than

more often,” he said, his voice

of hair behind my ear. “I might just take

small smile, the faintest pink tinting his

to me, the sound slicing through the warm moment like a cold blade. I glanced at the

me a second,” I said to Sebastian, picking

came through, steady but with an edge of tension. “Ma’am, I just arrived at the school to pick up

on the phone as

Just that a man came earlier claiming he needed to take them to you. I

Panic began to claw at my chest. My head spun as the gravity of his

dialed Alex. He answered on the second ring. “Christiana? Everything okay?” His calm

quickly, my words spilling out in a rush. “Did you pick up

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