333 How Are You Holding Up?
A knock on the door made Axel it has head instantly
For a fleeting second, <b>hope </b>red. He expected to hear the cals nowce of medical m perhaps announcing that Evelyn had been moved to the rooms, that he could finally see her properly, touch her hand, and reassure himself the was truly bee
Instead, a familiar voice came from the other side.
“Poss, it’s <b>me</b>, Dn. May Ie in?
Hist
hed as quickly as it came.
said, already lowering his gaze back to the iPad resting on his knee ened softly.
pped inside and closed it behind <b>him</b><b>, </b><b>his </b>expression solemn. Axel didn’t to s fingers moved steadily across the screen as he read through message
ins<b>. </b>
ines of encrypted text detailed <b>timelines</b>, suspicious vehicles, and partial lead mastermind behind Evelyn’s ident was still out there, hiding <b>in </b>the shadows, waiting
That alone was enough to keep Axel’s nerves stretched tight.
“Axel,” Dn said, not as a secretary, but as his closest friend. Tm really sorry for your loss.”
Axel’s hand paused for half a second before continuing to scroll.
“Thank you, Dn, he replied faintly. He gestured toward the chair opposite him. “Sit.” Dn did, though he didn’t rx.
“There’s something you need to know,” Dn said carefully.
That made Axel look up.
He didn’t speak. He simply raised his eyes, granting permission.
“Ste is here,” Dn
Evelyn’s injury.”
her slightly, surprise flickering across
Axel’s expressio
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333 How Are You Holding Up?
his face before disappearing just as quickly.
Dn swallowed. He knew that look. Calm from Axel wasn’t reassurance. It was dangerous.
“I’m sorry, boss,” Dn continued quickly. “I couldn’t avoid it. She saw me when I entered the VIP wing. She figured it out immediately.”
Silence followed.
Axel didn’t react right away. He lowered his gaze again, staring at the iPad without actually reading.
The seconds stretched, each one tightening the knot in Dn’s chest.
‘He’s thinking,‘ Dn realized grimly. And when Axel thinks like this, someone usually regrets it. He could only express his emotion in his mind, ‘Dang it! Today is really my unlucky day!‘
After a short moment, finally, Axel moved. He set the iPad aside on the table and leaned back slightly, folding his hands together.
“It’s fine,” Axel said calmly. “You don’t need to burden yourself with it.”
Dn blinked, surprised by his boss’s calm reaction.
“It… is?”
“Yes.” Axel exhaled slowly. “Sooner orter, my sister–inw and the rest of the family would find out. She works at this hospital. Keeping it from her forever was unrealistic.” He paused. “Where is she now?”
Dn released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“She’s in Oliver’s room. She decided to wait there until thedy boss wakes up.”
Axel nodded softly. “That’s good. At least Oliver won’t be alone when he wakes up
tomorrow.”
There was a brief pause before Axel added, “Did you bring the documents I asked for?”
“Yes, boss.” Dn reached into his bag, pulled out a neatly organized folder, and handed it over.
Axel flipped it open and scanned the contents. Financial schedules. Meeting agendas. Travel arrangements. Everything that suddenly felt absurdly unimportantpared to
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333 How Are You Holding Up?
the woman lying unconscious down the hall.
He read in silence for several minutes, his expression unreadable.
Dn waited, straight–backed, hands resting on his knees like a student awaiting judgment.
Finally, Axel closed the folder and turned his attention back to Dn.
“Cancel my business trip,” Axel said. “And all meetings for the rest of the week.”
Dn nodded immediately. “Understood, Boss.”
“I’ll work from the hospital for now,” Axel continued. “Anything urgent can be rerouted here. Anything nonessential can wait.”
“Of course,” Dn replied. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
Axel nced at him. “You look disappointed.”
Dn hesitated, then allowed himself a small smile. “I was hoping you’d say you’re taking a break, sir.”
Axel snorted softly. “If I stop working, I’ll start thinking. That’s far worse.”
“Hahaha, fair point,” Dn conceded.
Axel rose from his seat and moved toward the ss window behind him, standing there with his back turned to Dn. “There’s something else,” he said.
“Yes, boss?”
“Go check on Ryan before you head home,” Axel said. “Make sure he’s receiving the
best treatment.”
Dn’s expression sharpened. “And after?”
“Once he recovers, send him to Green Farm,” Axel continued. “Light indoor work only. He won’t return to Team Two until he’s fully recovered.”
“Boss, you’re grounding your own team leader.”
Axel’s lips curved faintly. “He disobeyed orders and nearly got himself and my wife killed. Grounding is mercy.” 2
“I’ll
pass along the message. He won’t be happy.”
“He doesn’t need to be happy,” Axel replied coolly. “He needs to be alive.”
333 How Are You Holding Up?
The room fell quiet again.
Dn studied Axel for a moment, then spoke more softly. He stood from his seat and, standing beside him, asked, “How are you holding up?”
Axel didn’t answer immediately. His gaze drifted to the door, as if he could see Evelyn through it. Tubes. Machines. A stillness that terrified him more than any enemy ever
had.
“I’m functioning,” Axel said atst.
Dn faintly smiled, “That wasn’t the question.”
Axel nced back at him. “Then don’t ask questions you don’t want honest answers
to.”
Dnughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Still terrifying, even when you’re
miserable.”
“Especially when I’m miserable,” Axel corrected.
They shared a brief, familiar silence, one built on years of friendship and unspoken understanding.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Dn said, standing. “Call me if you need anything. Anything at all.”
Axel nodded. “Get some rest. You look worse than I feel.”
Dn scoffed. “Thank you, Boss.” He smiled and left the room.
The door slowly closed and then clicked shut, before silence reimed the space.
Axel stood in his ce, closing his eyes for a brief moment. His mind immediately returned to Evelyn. To Oliver, sleeping in the next room. To the enemy still lurking somewhere unseen.
He opened his eyes again, sharper now. There was no room for weakness. Not now.
334 The Knock He’s Waiting For
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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.