L sat outside the emergency room, her white jacket and hands stained with blood.
The bright red had turned darker, but her face was as pale as a sheet.
Cole looked at her sitting nkly on the bench, his heart aching for her. He wanted to suggest she at least take care of the wound on her neck.
Just as the doors to the emergency room opened, Nicole arrived with Noah.
L stared at Kieran lying on the hospital bed, his face as pale as a ghost. She couldn''t summon the courage to ask the doctor for an update.
The doctor spoke, breaking the tense silence. "Don''t worry, we''ve given him anesthesia. He''ll wake up soon. The wound was deep and required 12 stitches.
"He''s lost a lot of blood and will need plenty of rest. Avoid oily or spicy foods, and keep his meals light for now."
"Thank you, doctor." L''s gaze lingered on the unconscious Kieran, her eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Nicole stepped forward. "L."
It had only been a few days since theyst saw each other, but L looked thinner, herplexion much worse.
L turned to her, and the tears she had held back for so long finally spilled over. Not wanting Nicole to see her cry, she turned her face away, raising a hand to wipe her tears.
"L," Nicole called again, her voice filled with concern.
This time, L couldn''t hold back. "Aunt Nicole..."
Her voice trembled, and she couldn''t manage another word.
Seeing her sobbing, Noah''s heart ached.
He couldn''t believe the one who hurt his precious sister would turn out to be his own family.
Because Amelie was still sick, Nicole didn''t stay long.
After Cole went out to buy some things, only Noah and L were left in the hospital room.
"You''repeting in the spring tournament, right? Go back for now. I can stay here and watch over him." L broke the awkward silence.
"L, are you nning to return to the family?" Noah hesitated, finally asking the question.
Return to the Morgan family? Did she still see them as family?
L lowered her gaze. "Let''s talk about itter. My head is a mess right now."
"Alright, we''ll talkter. Don''t rush yourself," Noah said gently. He raised a hand, wanting to pat her head. But he stopped himself.
"You should get back to work. Cole and I will take care of... him," L said softly, avoiding Noah''s eyes.
Noah nodded. He wanted to tell her
that
the tournament was
impo there were substitute
yers, and he could stay too apany her.
But he also figured L probably wasn''t ready to talk to anyone from the Morgan family. After a moment''s hesitation, he left.
L''s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Over the past few days, she had thought about everything.
Her parents had died because of the
Morgan family. Amelie had kept the truth hidden to protect not just Morgan Group, but also the personal information of countless people who used their products.
Amelie wasn''t wrong to do that. But the Hart family was sacrificed in the process.
Her parents had died, leaving her alone at a young age. It had turned her into a sensitive, self-conscious person.
She couldn''t stop herself from ming them.
But at the same time, the Morgan family took care of her, treating her like family.
She couldn''t bring herself to hate them.
Caught between resentment and gratitude, L didn''t know what to think anymore.
When Kieran woke up, he felt weak from the blood loss.
As the anesthesia wore off, a sharp pain spread from his shoulder.
He nced around the empty hospital room. His heart dropped.
"Does it hurt?" L asked as she entered and saw his nk expression.
Kieran''s head shot up, a flicker of hope shing in his eyes. But when he noticed
the bandage wrapped around her neck, his gaze hardened.
"It''s not too bad," he replied, his voice hoarse and strained.
L poured him a cup of water and helped him sit up.
The proximity allowed Kieran to catch a faint scent of jasmine on her. It was soothing yet heartbreaking.
He wanted to ask her if she still
meant what she said about not divorcing him. But he didn''t want to pressure her. After all, he wouldn''t me her for not forgiving the Morgan family.