After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

Aveline struggled to steady her emotions, glancing over at Aaron. "Can I go in?"

At this point, could anyone say no?

Aaron nodded, making arrangements right away.

Once suited up in isolation gear, Aveline entered the ICU.

The sharp smell of disinfectant seeped through her mask as she walked step by step toward the bed. Lucas lay surrounded by various machines, an oxygen mask covering his face. His once handsome features were now pale and gaunt. She approached him, reaching out to touch him, but stopped when she noticed the gloves on her hands. She couldn't feel anything through them. "Lucas."

Her voice was muffled, thick with emotion like her nose was stuffed.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Aveline blinked, fighting to keep her composure. "Why did you leave without a word? Not even a message. Do you know how angry that made me?"

"And then there's Maria-she works for you. Why didn't you tell me that sooner? If you had just explained, how could I have stayed mad at you?"

Her voice grew softer, more strained. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Pretending not to wake up, not reaching out to me, just to see me worried, to make me give in. Is that it?"

By the time she finished speaking, her voice was thick with tears, her throat tight with emotion. She couldn't wipe her tears away, so they fell freely, blurring her vision.

"Lucas, wake up. Please... If you wake up, I'll stop holding grudges. I won't argue anymore."

Just as she finished, a harsh, labored breath suddenly sounded from the bed.

The machines next to him began beeping urgently.

Doctors and nurses rushed into the room, and Aveline was quickly pushed out.

"What's happening? What's wrong with him?" she asked frantically.

A doctor replied, "We need to check on him immediately. Please wait outside!"

Aveline was gently pushed out of the room, and Selena quickly rushed to her side, steadying her. "What happened? What's going on?"

Aveline shook her head, still dazed, her lashes wet with tears. "I don't know..."

One moment she had been talking to Lucas and the next, she was forced out.

Selena pulled her into a comforting hug. "It's going to be alright. Maybe Lucas was just too excited to see you. He'll be fine, I'm sure."

It was all she could say to try to comfort her.

The group stood in tense silence, their expressions heavy with concern as they waited for news from the doctors.

After what felt like an eternity, about an hour later, the doctor finally emerged with a relieved smile on his face. "Mr. Tudor is out of the critical stage. We're moving him to @regular room now." en

Upon hearing this, a wave of relief swept over everyone. Joy lit up their faces.

Selena immediately piped up, "See? I told you! He must've been so excited to know you were here. Just trying to scare you! When he's fully. recovered, you'll have to give him a hard time for this."

Aveline's tense heart finally began to ease, though she remained quiet.

By the time everything was settled, it was already past midnight.

Aveline sat by Lucas's bedside, holding his hand against her cheek. As she gazed at his still unconscious face, a deep ache settled in her chest.

If only she had known what he had gone through, she would've come back sooner.

Outside the room, Desmond

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returned. "I've arranged for a nurse to take care of Mr. Tudor. Mr. Aaron, Miss Selena, you should take Mrs. Tudor home to rest now. Mr. Tudor is stable now, so you can come back tomorrow."

Selena shook her head. "Do you really think she's going to leave like this?"

Desmond glanced into the room, where Aveline sat, holding Lucas' hand, lost in thought.

He pressed his lips together.

He had called her when the incident first happened, but she hadn't picked up.

And now...

Now she was here, full of regret.