From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 52

**Storm Behind Sleeps by George Orwell 52**
**Chapter 16**

The rain had descended upon the hospital like a relentless shroud, a torrent that had transformed the world outside into a glistening canvas of despair. Each droplet seemed to weep for the anguish unfolding within the walls of the institution, where hope felt as distant as the sun hidden behind the storm clouds.

On the cold, stone steps of the hospital, Alexander sat, his once-pristine designer suit now a soaked testament to his anxiety. The fabric clung uncomfortably to his skin, a constant reminder of his state, while his dark hair, usually styled with care, lay matted against his forehead, water trickling down his face like the silent tears he dared not shed.

He had been waiting there for what felt like an eternity—six long hours of torment, each tick of the clock amplifying his dread. The weight of his anticipation pressed down on him, heavy and suffocating, as he scanned the entrance for any sign of Olivia.

Just then, Ethan emerged from the lobby, an imposing figure shielded by a black umbrella. His cold gaze, sharp and penetrating, seemed to slice through the downpour as he approached.

At the sound of Ethan’s footsteps, Alexander’s heart raced. He looked up, his pulse quickening, only to be met with Ethan’s steely expression, the words that followed slicing through the rain like a knife:

“Alexander, Olivia’s message for you is clear: She doesn’t want to see you. It’s too late.”

The impact of Ethan’s words was like a physical blow, knocking the breath from Alexander’s lungs. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he felt as if the rain itself was mourning for him.

“I refuse to believe that…” His voice cracked, barely rising above the sound of the downpour. “Not unless she tells me herself.”

With a deliberate motion, Ethan retrieved a police badge from his pocket—Olivia’s badge, a relic from her harrowing undercover work three years prior, its edges still bearing the marks of past violence. He placed it before Alexander, the act heavy with finality.

“She asked me to return this to you.”

Alexander’s fingers trembled as they closed around the cold metal of the badge, the chill of it sending him spiraling back to that fateful, rain-soaked night: Olivia, bloodied and desperate, clinging to his car door, the badge glinting ominously amidst the chaos. Now, here he stood, clutching the last tangible piece of her that remained in his possession.

Tucking the badge away, a surge of anger ignited within him. He shot to his feet, eyes blazing with a mix of fury and desperation. “What’s your game with her, Ethan?”

The two men stood face to face, equally matched in stature, their gazes locking in a silent battle, tension crackling in the air.

“Been digging into my past, have you, Mr. Pierce?” Ethan’s smirk was devoid of warmth, a mask of disdain.

Alexander stepped closer, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. “The sole heir to Ethan Corp. Medically discharged three years ago after an undercover op went south. Your timing is suspicious—showing up around her like that.”

Ethan removed his glasses, revealing hawk-like eyes, devoid of any gentleness.

“You should be asking yourself that question, Alexander.”

His words were like daggers: “Why does she smile with me, but only bleed with you?”

Alexander’s fists clenched tightly, the unspoken truth weighing heavily on him, leaving him momentarily speechless.

“Ethan, the three years Olivia and I shared—you’ll never be able to measure up to that—”

“She’s not a trophy, Mr. Pierce.” Ethan’s voice was sharp, his disgust barely contained, yet he held it in check for Olivia’s sake.

“I don’t care what history you two have. She loathes you now. If you ever show your face near her again… I will end you.”

With that, Ethan turned, striding back toward the ward, leaving Alexander alone in the merciless rain, the downpour mirroring the storm of emotions raging within him.

Three days later, in the VIP room of a private hospital, Alexander had leveraged every contact at his disposal to track Olivia’s rehabilitation schedule. Driven by an insatiable need to see her, he seized the opportunity to slip in while Ethan was on duty.

With a heavy heart, she pressed the call button. “Leave. A nurse will come and patch you up.”

In a moment of desperation, Alexander lunged forward, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “Olivia… don’t shut me out like this. How can I fix this? I can’t breathe—”

She struggled to pry his fingers off her, one by one, her patience wearing thin. “Stop this pathetic display.”

Shoving him away, her eyes brimmed with disgust. “We are done.”

With those final words, she turned and shuffled out of the room, leaving Alexander behind, a figure of despair.

Around the corner, Olivia finally sagged against the wall, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. From the room behind her, she could hear the sound of Alexander’s choked, broken sobs.

If you hadn’t shattered us in the first place, we wouldn’t be here now.

In the aftermath of their confrontation, the storm outside seemed to echo the turmoil within both Alexander and Olivia. Alexander, once a figure of confidence and ambition, now found himself stripped bare, exposed to the rawness of his emotions. The realization that his love had not been enough to save them consumed him, leaving a void that felt insurmountable. As he knelt in the remnants of their shattered relationship, the rain continued to fall, a relentless reminder of the tears uncried and the love unfulfilled. His desperate pleas, met only with Olivia’s resolute rejection, transformed him into a ghost of the man he once was, haunted by the choices that had led them to this moment.

For Olivia, the weight of her scars was not just physical but emotional, a testament to the battles she had fought and the love she had lost. The clarity she found in her pain allowed her to reclaim her strength, but it also came with the heavy burden of letting go. As she leaned against the wall, her heart ached for what could have been, yet she understood that their time together had morphed into a bittersweet memory, tainted by betrayal and regret. The finality of her decision to walk away from Alexander marked the end of an era, but it also signaled the beginning of her journey toward healing. In that moment, she resolved to forge a new path, one where she could honor her past while embracing the possibility of a future free from the shadows of their stormy history.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension between Alexander and Ethan to escalate dramatically as both men grapple with their feelings for Olivia and the ghosts of their shared past. With Olivia’s heart hanging in the balance, the stakes have never been higher. Will Alexander find a way to redeem himself and win back the woman he loves, or will Ethan’s steadfast loyalty and protective instincts prove too formidable? The storm outside may be relentless, but the emotional tempest brewing within the hospital walls promises to be even more tumultuous.

As secrets from their pasts begin to unravel, the chapter will delve deeper into the complexities of love, loyalty, and betrayal. Readers will witness flashbacks that reveal pivotal moments in Olivia’s life, offering insight into why she made the choices she did. The emotional landscape will shift as alliances are tested, and unexpected revelations come to light. Will Olivia’s heart remain closed off to Alexander, or will a flicker of hope emerge from the darkness? The narrative is poised to explore the fragility of human connection amid chaos, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the fate of these intertwined lives.