Chapter 25
With her badge hanging around her neck, Olivia navigated through the familiar hustle of the emergency room. It hadn’t slowed down since she left hours earlier. Approaching the nurses’ station, she requested to speak with Dr. Everhart, her mind racing with questions about Jackson”s condition.
Before she could inquire further, Sophie emerged from a nearby patient room, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her sister. Without hesitation, she enveloped Olivia in a tight hug, a silent reassurance passing between them. “He”s out of the hyperbaric chamber and in the ICU,” Sophie relayed, her voice tinged with relief. “He”s responding.”
Olivia”s shoulders sagged with relief at the news. She longed to see Jackson. “Is he going to be okay?”
Sophie continued, “He’s being kept heavily sedated to allow his body to rest and recover from the other injuries. The big concern is still his airway. Pulmonary will want to scope him. He has some facial burns that will heal. Add his six broken ribs and a broken shoulder. I don’t know how he managed to rescue the burned woman.”
She listened as Sophie outlined Jackson”s prognosis.
“Mom finally managed to convince Martha to lie down and rest.” The news brought a small smile to Olivia”s lips.
After a final hug of thanks, Olivia made her way to the ICU, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. The nurses greeted her with sympathetic smiles as they allowed her entry into Jackson”s room, granting her a moment of privacy with him.
Olivia sat beside Jackson”s bed in the ICU room, a soft glow emanating from the monitors casting a gentle light across his still form. She found herself lost in a one-sided conversation.
“Hey, Jackson,” she began softly, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace that surrounded them. “It”s me, Liv. I hope you can hear me.”
She paused, her gaze lingering on his peaceful face, willing him to wake up, to respond in some way. But he remained still, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with the aid of the machines he was tethered to.
“I just wanted to tell you that you”re a hero, Jackson,” Olivia continued, her words filled with emotion. “What you did in that warehouse—saving that woman—it was incredible. You”re incredible.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke. “God, I’ve cried more today than I did when my dad died. I hope he understands in the ether somewhere.” She reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from Jackson”s forehead, her touch tender and loving.
“I know you”re going through a lot right now,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “But I want you to know that you”re not alone. We”re all here for you, Jackson. Your mom, Sophie, my family, your company, me—we”re all rooting for you.”
A faint smile tugged at Olivia”s lips as she again recalled memories of their time together, moments of laughter and camaraderie that now seemed like a distant dream. She longed for the day when they could share those moments again, when Jackson would be awake and healthy, his infectious grin lighting up the room.
“I miss you, Jackson,” Olivia whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “But I know you need this time to rest. Happiness through pharmaceuticals, right?”
Filling a basin with warm water, Olivia carefully began to wash his face around the tubes and monitors, her movements gentle and deliberate. With each stroke, she whispered words of encouragement, her heart aching with the desire for Jackson to wake up and know that he was not alone.
As she tended to him, Olivia found peace in the quiet intimacy of the moment, a silent vow passing between them that she would be there for him every step of the way, no matter what the future held. And as she leaned in to press a gentle kiss to his forehead, she prayed for his swift recovery, knowing his journey was just beginning.
She settled back into her chair, vowing to stay by his side, to continue speaking to him, even if he couldn”t respond. In that moment, all that mattered was being there for him, offering him the comfort and support he needed to fight his way back.
* * *
Sophie”s touchwas gentle yet urgent as she shook Liv awake. “I’m sorry to wake you.”
“What’s wrong?” Liv sat up straight in the chair.
Sophie chewed her lip. “I’m going home. The intensive care team is taking him back to the hyperbaric chamber. He’s still in trouble. I made sure they have your number if something changes.” She crossed her arms and stared at Jackson. “Liv, don’t get your expectations too high.”
With a silent nod, Liv rose from the lounger. “Jackson,” she whispered softly and leaned down to press a tender kiss to his forehead. She followed Sophie out of the room.
Liv needed to return to the fire scene, but first she needed a shower, some coffee and breakfast.
When she arrived back at her apartment, she was exhausted, her steps heavy with fatigue. Yet, as she pushed open the door, any thoughts of rest vanished in an instant as she was met with an unexpected sight.
Michael stood before her, his presence a jarring intrusion. Liv”s heart stuttered in her chest, uncertainty flickering in her gaze as she took in his appearance. His expression was unreadable, a mask of emotions carefully concealed beneath a fa?ade of calm.
“Michael…” Liv struggled to comprehend what was going on. He had a key—given to water her plants. But not free passage to her space.
The sight of him standing in her apartment ignited a surge of anger, eclipsing any trace of fatigue that had previously clouded her thoughts. Her jaw clenched, her gaze hardening as she struggled to contain the simmering fury that threatened to spill over.
“What are you doing here?” Liv demanded, her voice laced with a bitterness she couldn”t suppress.
Michael”s expression faltered, a flicker of hurt flashing across his features before he masked it with a practiced indifference. “I needed to see you.”
Liv scoffed, her frustration bubbling to the surface as she took a step forward, narrowing the distance between them with a deliberate stride. “You needed to see me?” she spat, her voice dripping with incredulity. “What is so important it couldn’t have waited until I made it to the command center?”
Her words trailed off. Liv”s hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms with a fierce intensity that mirrored the turmoil raging within her.
“I thought I made it clear,” Liv continued, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “There”s nothing between us, Michael. Nothing.” Her chest heaved with each ragged breath, her eyes locked with Michael”s in a silent challenge.
“I know,” Michael whispered as he took a hesitant step forward. “But I had to try.”
Liv”s anger surged again. “You had to try?” she repeated, her voice edged with disbelief and betrayal. The audacity of his confession, especially in the midst of Jackson”s critical condition, ignited a wildfire of indignation within her.
“How could you?” Liv seethed. “How could you think that now, of all times, is appropriate to bring this up?”
Michael”s expression softened, his gaze pleading as he took another step forward. “Liv, I?—”
“Don”t,” she interrupted, her voice laced with bitterness. “Don”t you dare try to explain yourself. What does this mean for our work partnership?”
Michael”s gaze faltered, his expression clouded with regret. “I don”t know,” his sadness mirrored her own, “but I can”t lose you.”
“You choose now?” Liv”s voice trembled. “Amidst all of this, you decide now to do this?”
A flicker of remorse crossed his features as he took a step forward. “Liv, I”m sorry,” he pleaded. “I know it”s not the right time, but I couldn”t keep it to myself any longer.”
Liv”s teeth ground. “There are lives on the line, Michael,” she reminded him sharply. “People are counting on us, and you choose now to?—”
She stopped short, unable to find the words to express the depth of her frustration. She took a deep breath, her anger giving way to a resigned determination. “I”ll still work with you,” she conceded, her voice strained. “But only at the office or in the command center. We can”t let personal matters interfere with our duties.”
Michael nodded, his expression grave as he met her scrutiny. “I understand,” he murmured. “I”ll respect your boundaries, Liv.” He handed her the key.
As he left, Liv couldn”t shake the nagging feeling there was more to Michael”s confession than met the eye, a suspicion that lingered at the edges of her consciousness like a wisp of smoke. Michael may be holding secrets far more dangerous than she had imagined.