330 Let Me Suffer Instead of You!
Finley’s expression softened, disbelief and relief flooding his features. He stood at once and opened his arms. “Oliver…”
The boy hurried over, wrapping his arms around Finley.
“Daddy said Mommy is here.” He looks up to see Finley in the eyes, “Can I see him now?”
Finley swallowed hard and gently patted Oliver’s head. He looked past him to Axel, his gaze still sharp, but no longer burning.
“Not now, but we’ll see her soon,” Finley said softly, his hand gently resting on Oliver’s shoulder. “How about we sit over there?” he suggested, motioning toward the seating
area.
Axel followed them into the seating area and took the single sofa opposite the longer
one.
Oliver immediately climbed up beside Finley, settling himselffortably.
Axel watched for a moment, then looked down at his phone, intending to leave and look for David. However, he paused when Finley began speaking.
“So,” Finley said gently, leaning slightly toward Oliver, “your mommy gave everyone quite a scare today.”
Axel’s head snapped up. He met Finley’s eyes and gave a subtle shake <b>of </b>his head, a silent plea not to go into details.
Finley paused, then smiled faintly. Either he understood, or he honestly didn’t know much beyond the surface. Either way, Axel felt a quiet wave of relief.
“Yes, grandpa… My mommy scares me… She also scares Daddy,” Oliver shrugs. His expression turned gloomy again.
“But, she’s fearless,” Finley continued while patting his head gently, “Just like you.”
Oliver nodded solemnly.
“Mommy is the bravest. Even braver than Daddy.”
Axel almostughed. His son oftenpared him to his wife, which he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he found theparison quite amusing.
His gaze drifted back to his phone, thumb hovering over the screen. The Shadow Wolf.
330 LetMe
Ethan. Collins. He needed information, and he needed it fast. His pre tightened as his thoughts spiraled, then Finley’s voice pulled him back.
“Little Oliver, aren’t you sleepy?” Finley asked, “It’s almost nine o’clock
“I am,” Oliver admitted, his voice noticeably softer. “But I want to see Mommy first: Axel lifted his head entirely now.
He could see that Oliver’s eyes were red, though they still shone with stubborn determination. The excitement, the worry, the exhaustion, all tangled together into one facial expression.
“Buddy,” Axel said gently, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Mommy might wake up tomorrow. How about I read you a book instead?”
“No, Daddy.” Oliver shook his head firmly. “I want to stay here. Waiting for <b>Mommy</b>? Before Axel could respond, Finley chuckled.
“Let him stay, Axel.” Then he nced at Oliver, “Little man, you can sleep here…” He patted the space between them.
Oliver beamed. “Thank you, Grandpa. But, I’m not yet sleepy…”
Axel sighed, defeated, but there was no real protest in him.
“Fine,” he said. “But, no need to force yourself. Just sleep when you feel sleepy… I promise I will wake you up when mommy is done with her surgery.”
Oliver nodded, “Yes, daddy…I promise I will sleep.”
That promisested less than three minutes.
By the time Axel nced over again, Oliver was curled on his side, a cushion tucked under his head, one arm hugging his dinosaur. His breathing was slow and even, exhaustion finally winning.
Axel stood quietly and draped his jacket over his son.
Finley watched the scene with softened eyes.
An hourter, the door opened.
David entered, his expression serious but relieved. “The surgery is finished.”
“How is she?” Axel asked.
“She’s stable,” David said. “They’re moving her to the observation room now.”
330 Let Me Shulter trafoved
Axel exhaled shakily, relief and fear crashing together. He hent and cartily Wed Oliver into his arms.
“I’ll take him to the bedroom first, Axel said. Thank you?
Finley and David nodded and left ahead of high.
Axel moved to another VIP room where Laura and Jimmy were waiting,
The moment they saw Oliver asleep in his arms, both softened instantly.
“We’ll help take care of the young master, Jinimy said quietly,
“Thank you.” Heid Oliver down gently, brushing a kiss over his hair before turning back toward the hospital corridor.
Now, he could finally see Evelyn.
However,
Axel’s joy, relief, and fragile sense of happinesssted no more than a heartbea.
The moment he reached the Post–Anesthesia Care Unit room, reality struck <b>him </b>with merciless force.
Finley and David were already standing outside, their expressions grave<i>. </i>
Axel stopped short. He didn’t need anyone to tell him the rules. He knew them well enough. He couldn’t enter. He couldn’t touch her. He couldn’t hold her hand.
He couldn’t be with her.
Through the ss, Axel saw her.
Evelyny motionless on the narrow bed, her face pale to the point of translucence.
Tubes and wires trailed from her body, connecting her to machines that <b>hummed </b>softly, each sound a reminder of how close he hade to losing her.
That single glimpse crushed his chest until breathing felt like punishment. If he could, he would trade ces with her without hesitation.
‘Eve, let me bear the pain,‘ he thought bitterly, ‘Let me suffer instead of you.‘
He pressed his palm against the ss, stopping himself just short of touching it.
His jaw tightened as he forced the storm inside him to settle, sharp emotions piercing him one after another. Fear. Guilt. Helplessness.
After a long moment, Axel lowered his hand and turned toward David.
330 Lot Me Sulfer instead of You!
“Dave,” he asked quietly, his voice rough, “how long will she stay here?”
David met his gaze. For once, the usual easy smile was nowhere to be found. “Until her condition stabilizes. After that, they’ll move her to the VIP room so you can stay with her”
Axel’s hand clenched at his side.
He wanted that more than anything. To sit beside her bed. To feel her warmth. To hold her hand and remind himself she was real, alive, and still here.
Standing outside while she fought alone felt like torture.
“Don’t worry, Axel,” David said, confidently sounding reassuring. “The surgery went well. She’s stable. She’s strong. Stronger than any woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life as a surgeon<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Axel nodded faintly, but the words barely reached him.
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330 Let Me Suffor Instead of You!
“Dave,” he asked quietly, his voice rough, “how long will she stay here?”
David met his gaze. For once, the usual easy smile was nowhere to be found. “Until her condition stabilizes. After that, they’ll move her to the VIP room so you can stay with
her.”
Axel’s hand clenched at his side.
He wanted that more than anything. To sit beside her bed. To feel her warmth. To hold her hand and remind himself she was real, alive, and still here.
Standing outside while she fought alone felt like torture.
“Don’t worry, Axel,” David said, confidently sounding reassuring. “The surgery went well. She’s stable. She’s strong. Stronger than any woman I’ve ever seen in my entire life as a surgeon.”
Axel nodded faintly, but the words barely reached him.
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<strong>Olivia Harris</strong> is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.