Stella was halfway across the hospital parking lot when headlights swept over her feet.
She paused, frowning, and turned just in time to see a familiar car pull neatly into a space near the VIP entrance.
The engine shut off, and a tall figure stepped out. She recognized the man immediately.
Someone she rarely sees outside her office, as their busy schedules seldom allow them to meet. They had only spoken over the phone until now.
Without hesitation, she hurried toward him.
"Dylan?" she asked, blinking. "What are you doing here at this hour?"
Dylan shut the door and adjusted his jacket, looking a bit too calm for someone arriving nearly at midnight at the hospital.
"Visiting my boss."
Stella was surprised to hear that. ’Axel? Is he sick? Did he have another boss? she wondered, before asking, "Which boss?"
For a fraction of a second, his expression stiffened.
That was all it took.
Her stomach dropped, guessing something in her mind. "Who is in this hospital? My brother-in-law? Or, my sister?"
Before he could answer, Stella grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the entrance.
"My sister, Eve? She is..." she said, already pulling out her phone. Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the screen.
No missed calls.
No unread messages.
Nothing.
Her heart began to pound harder.
"Stella, wait," Dylan said, trying to slow her. "You’re assuming things." He tries to distract her before she pushes the elevator button. He can’t let her go upstairs now.
"Then tell me I’m wrong," she shot back, still walking. "Tell me she isn’t here, or my brother-in-law is not here..."
He sighed. "You just finished a shift in the IGD. You should go home and rest."
"I’m not tired..."
"You are," Dylan said, looking at her with concern, noting how exhausted her eyes now looked.
Stella sighs deeply, trying to avoid eye contact with him, her gaze fixed on the elevator before them. She has indeed been exhausted.
She turned to face him. "Dylan, if you’re lying to me, I swear—" she can’t finish her sentence as the elevator doors slide open.
Jimmy stood inside, a surprised flash in his eyes.
Stella’s breath caught. "Ji-Jimmy..."
Her suspicions were undeniable. Jimmy never came to hospitals unless his master did. And his master only came when Evelyn was involved.
’Wait... or Oliver?’ Stella wonders, and her head starts to hurt from all the guessing.
"Oh, Jimmy..." Stella whispered. "You, also here..."
Jimmy smiled flatly. "Miss Stella..." he said, then walked out of the elevator and let them in.
Dylan closed his eyes briefly and walked inside, "Fine. Come with me."
As the elevator stopped on the top floor, Dylan led her through the VIP wing, guards nodding respectfully as they passed.
When they noticed Stella, one of them stepped forward, but Dylan raised a hand. "She’s family."
Stella noticed that the entire floor was quiet and empty, with no other patients in sight, only a few guards stationed in a particular area.
The entire floor has become a restricted area. She knew that only Axel could do so.
They didn’t make it far before Dylan spoke again. "She was in a car accident."

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