New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 455 Next to Him

"He's in a coma," the doctor continued gently. "We can't say for certain when or if he will wake up. It could be days, weeks, or even longer. But he's stable for now, and that's a good sign."

Claire felt her knees buckle slightly, and she grabbed the nearest wall for support. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over as the weight of the doctor's words hit her like a freight train.

"A coma?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

The doctor nodded, his tone sympathetic. "It's too early to tell what the long-term prognosis will be. Right now, we're monitoring him closely."

Claire wiped her cheeks hastily, though the tears kept coming. "Can I see him?"

"Of course," the doctor said, stepping aside.

Claire pushed the door open slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Matthew lay on the hospital bed, pale and still, with various monitors beeping softly around him. Tubes and wires surrounded him, a sight that made Claire's chest ache even more.

She approached the bed, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch his. "Matthew," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You better wake up, you hear me? You're not allowed to leave me like this." Her tears fell freely now, landing on the edge of the blanket. "You're my right hand. My partner. My-" Her voice cracked again, and she shook her head. "You're my best friend, Matthew. You're not allowed to give up. Not now."

Behind her, Officer Daniels stepped into the room quietly. "Ms. Peterson, I understand this is overwhelming, but if you're ready, I'd like to explain what happened."

Claire straightened, her jaw tightening as she swiped at her cheeks. "Fine. Talk," she said, her voice firmer now.

The officer nodded. "From what we've gathered, Matthew's car was run off the road. It wasn't an accident -it looks deliberate."

Claire's eyes widened. "Deliberate? Are you saying someone tried to kill him?"

"It's a strong possibility," Daniels admitted. "We're investigating leads now, but we wanted to inform you as soon as possible, given your close relationship with him."

clenched her fists, anger bubbling beneath her grief. "Who

into it. I can't disclose too much at this stage, but we'll

Matthew, her gaze softening again. "Matthew, you idiot," she muttered, though her tone was laced

"We'll leave you to have some time with him. If

left, she pulled up a

hard?" she said softly, her voice trembling. "You said I needed to take a break before I burnt out. And I told you I couldn't because someone had to keep things running.

monitors. Claire sat there for what felt like hours,

did this to you, Matthew, they're going to pay. I promise

For now, though, all she could do was sit by Matthew's side and hope he'd

left Matthew's side

up camp in his hospital room, only. leaving

to collect herself in the

beeping of the monitors had

background music, a constant

the situation

couldn't escape.

to, but because she couldn't handle explaining everything-not yet. The moment she saw his name light up her phone,

again, she sighed and picked up, her voice barely above

familiar voice came through, filled with concern. "Why didn't you answer my

voice shaky. "It's... Matthew. He got into an accident. He's in

pause, and Claire could practically hear the gears turning in Adrian's head. "What? Matthew? How... how

said after a moment. "At least, not the kind you think. Someone's

yes, the police are investigating. But let's be honest-" she let out a humorless laugh, "-they're not going to find anything. Whoever did this knew what they were

muttered curses under his breath. "I can't believe this. Claire, are you okay? How are you