371 Memories
At Lincoln International Hospital, the night air was cold and still.
When their car rolled to a smooth stop in the basement parking lot, the clock on the dashboard read nine o’clock.
The underground space was nearly empty. Only a few cars were scattered across the vast concrete floor.
Evelyn nced around, surprised. “Did you clear the area for us toe?” she asked quietly, half–joking, half–serious.
Axel sat beside her,posed as always. “No, this is not my hospital…” he answered with a faint smile. Then he lifted a hand and pointed toward the ss entrance ahead.
“But he did.”
Evelyn turned, and her lips curved into a knowing smile when she saw the familiar figure waiting by the door, hands in his coat pockets, posture firm but rxed, like a man standing before his own home.
“Ah. I forgot this is Lincoln’s hospital,” she murmured. “Of course, we can visit without half the city watching.”
Jackson Lincoln–Axel’s best friend and the CEO of Lincoln International–raised a hand in greeting, his grin bright even under the sterile lights.
Axel chuckled and gently smoothed Evelyn’s coat cor, making sure it shielded her
from the cold.
Only after confirming she was warm and cozy did he look into her eyes. “Alright,” he said softly. “Let’s go. Don’t make Jack wait for us longer.”
He stepped out first, walked around the car, and opened Evelyn’s door. “Come,” he said, offering his hand.
She took it, grounding herself in his warmth as they walked toward Jackson. The moment Jackson saw them approach, his smile widened, full of relief and mischief.
“You two,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “Absolutely heartless. How could you not tell me about the ident? Do I look like a stranger to you?”
Axel didn’t even blink. “Her ident was a family matter,” he replied simply.
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371 Memories
Jackson sighed softly but didn’t bother arguing. Instead, he turned to Evelyn, eyes softening.
“Sister–inw, I was worried sick when I heard about your incident from Dn. But seeing you now…” His gaze flicked to the faint traces of healing injuries<b>. </b>“…I’m less
worried. You look healthy and strong.”
Evelyn smiled faintly. “Thank you, Jack.”
They entered a private elevator, the doors closing with a muted chime. As the elevator began its smooth ascent, silence settled in for a moment. Evelyn’s fingers curled slightly around Axel’s hand, betraying the anxiety she was trying to hide.
Jackson noticed, of course.
“Eve,” he said gently, his yful tone softening into something sincere. “I know why you’re here. And I know about your grandpa’s condition.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I wish I could give you better news. But… I can’t. I’m sorry.”
Evelyn lifted her gaze to him. In that moment, she didn’t see the hospital CEO, the powerful businessman, or Axel’s witty best friend. She saw a doctor who had done everything he could, and a man who genuinely cared.
“Thank you, Jack,” she said sincerely. “For helping my family. For everything you did to
them…”
Jackson gave her a small, reassuring smile. “No matter what happens, you did note
toote. That’s what matters.”
The elevator continued upward, numbers glowing one by one above the door. Each passing floor felt like a step closer to a reality Evelyn was not sure she was ready to
face.
Beside her, Axel remained silent, but his grip on her hand never loosened. His presence was steady and protective.
Finally, the elevator chimed again as it reached the tenth floor. The doors opened to the VIP wing; quiet, pristine, and eerily calm. The soft hum of machines echoed faintly down the corridor.
Evelyn’s heartbeat quickened. Her palm grew slightly damp in Axel’s grasp. She inhaled slowly, trying to gather the scattered pieces of her courage.
Jackson stepped out first and gestured forward toward the VIP wing. “This way,” he
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371 Memories
said, his tone lighter again. “Alright, you can enter with Axel. I won’t follow inside. Your family will be shocked to see my handsomeness…”
A tiny breath ofughter escaped Evelyn, hearing his humor.
But as they walked down the corridor toward Samuel Walters‘ room, the humor faded, the sadness lingering beneath every step, and the thrill of uncertainty tightening around her heart.
Axel stood beside her, his presence steady enough to calm her. “Are you ready?” he asked softly.
Evelyn lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. For a moment, all the strength she had built on the way here wavered. Then she nodded.
However-
Before Axel could raise his hand to knock, the door suddenly swung open from inside.
William Walters stood there.
Evelyn froze.
For a heartbeat, the world shrank to a single point. Her father’s face was drawn, his posture stiff. But the shock in his eyes mirrored her own.
‘What the hell is this man doing here?‘
The curse remained in Evelyn’s mind, but her body reacted faster than her thoughts. Her hand clenched into a fist at her side, nails pressing into her palm.
Memories she never wanted to relive shed through her–his cold ultimatum, his order to capture her, the way he had tried to control her life as if she were a pawn.
Her eyes sharpened on him, guarded and wary.
Yet, when she expected rage or contempt from him upon seeing her and Axel, she was
mistaken.
William merely nodded at Axel.
Not a proud nod. Not a weing one either. It was the kind of nod a man gave when facing someone he knew he could not afford to offend. Then, without another word, he stepped aside and swung the door wider.
Evelyn blinked, puzzled for only a second.
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371 Memories
Axel’s handnded gently against her back, a quiet cue. Walk. I’m here.
She inhaled slowly and stepped into the room.
The moment her eyes fell on the hospital bed, everything else faded.
Samuel Waltersy there, surrounded by the soft glow of medical monitors. His skin was pale and wrinkly, his features thinner than she remembered. The man who once carried her on his shoulders now looked fragile, as though a stern tap would push him fall down and a strong breeze would carry him far away.
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Thank <i>you </i>for <i>the </i><i>Golden </i><i>Ticket </i><i>& </i>Power <i>Stones</i>. <i>Please </i><i>continue </i>so <i>we </i>can raise the <i>rank </i><i>and </i><i>give </i>this <i>book </i><i>more </i><i>opportunities</i>. Xoxo
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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.