Chapter 113: Sacred Grounds


    (Lucas''s POV)


    "She''s ready to be discharged," Dr. Marcus Fletcher informed me, his expression professional but relieved. "Her physical recovery is remarkable, though I''d


    rmend continued emotional


    support."


    I nodded, watching Olivia through the ss partition as a nurse helped her gather her few belongings. Even in a hospital gown, her quiet dignity remained intact.


    "I''ll take care of her," I promised, my voice leaving no room for doubt.


    Afterpleting the discharge paperwork, I escorted Olivia to my waiting vehicle. Thomas Griffin stood beside it, opening the door with a respectful nod.


    "Are you hungry?" I asked as we settled into the backseat.


    Olivia hesitated before nodding slightly. "A little."


    "Amber Crest Restaurant," I instructed Thomas. "The private dining area."


    The restaurant staff greeted us with discreet efficiency, leading us to a secluded table overlooking a peaceful garden. I ordered a selection of light dishes, watching carefully as Olivia picked at her food.


    "Try the venison broth," I encouraged, serving her myself. "It''s gentle on the stomach but nourishing."


    To my satisfaction, she took a small sip, then another. By the end of the meal, she had eaten more than I expected, color gradually returning to her pale cheeks.


    "Thank you," she said softly as we finished. "For everything."


    I simply nodded, unwilling to ept gratitude for what any decent person would have done.


    Back in the car, I turned to her, choosing my words carefully. "Olivia, could I visit Lily''s grave?"


    Her emerald eyes widened in surprise.


    "I''ve watched her Thanksgiving Moon Ceremony video many times while you


    were sleeping," I exined. "She was... special."


    It was true. The little girl''s bright smile and thoughtful nature had touched something deep


    < Chapter 113 Sacred Grounds


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    within me. Her sweetness, her obvious love for her mother - I couldn''t help but feel protective


    of her memory.


    "I''d like to go too," Olivia admitted, her voice barely audible. "Yesterday, when I..... when I jumped... I wasn''t thinking clearly. I''d missed my medication, and the grief just overwhelmed


    me."


    She twisted her fingers together in herp. "But I can''t leave yet. Not until I''ve avenged her."


    I directed Thomas to Sacred Moonlight Cemetery, a peaceful area nestled among ancient trees. We walked in silence to a small grave marked with a polished moonstone.


    I knelt before the tombstone, arranging the gifts I''d brought - sweet treats, white mourning flowers, fruits, and small toys. With gentle hands, I cleaned the already immacte stone.


    "Hello, Lily," I said softly, feeling Olivia''s gaze on my back. "I''m Lucas. I''ve heard so much about


    you."


    I ced a silver plush wolf at the base of the stone. "You liked the silver plush best, didn''t you,


    little one? I remember from your video."


    From the corner of my eye, I saw tears welling in Olivia''s eyes as she watched from a respectful distance. I continued my one-sided conversation with Lily, telling her about her mother''s strength, promising to look after her.


    As dusk settled over the cemetery, Olivia finally approached. She knelt beside me, her fingers gently caressing the photograph of Lily embedded in the stone.


    "Baby, Mommy''s going home now," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.


    I reached out, touching the stone myself. "Lily, I like you very much. I hope you


    like me too. I''lle visit you again with your mother next time."


    The walk back to the car was silent butfortable. I opened the door for Olivia, helping her


    inside with careful movements.


    Before starting the engine, I turned to face her. “Olivia, that night, you waited for me in the rain, asking to borrow money to find that man. Were you trying to find out who was responsible for Lily''s death?"


    The image of Rnd Warner lying in a pool of blood shed through my mind. I remembered Olivia''s desperate plea for the dying man to reveal a name.


    "In the emergency room, he called you in at his final moments. Did he tell you who was behind this? Is that why you suddenly left the hospital and went to Rosewood Haven...?"


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    She had maintained emotional distance since waking up, never addressing my confession of


    feelings. But after nearly losing her to Silvermoon River, I wouldn''t allow her to push me away


    again.


    (Olivia''s POV)