He Buried Me But I Painted My Own Resurrection novel Chapter 9

The next morning, the sound of an argument echoed from the hospital hallway.

The attending physician gripped a clipboard, fiercely blocking the doorway.

"Miss Sawyer, you cannot be discharged. All of your vitals are flashing red. If you leave now, you could drop dead at any moment!"

Sienna had changed into the casual clothes Lucas had someone drop off the night before.

They were meant to be fitted, but they still hung loosely on her frame, the wrists poking out of the sleeves looking terrifyingly frail.

She folded her hospital gown and placed it at the foot of the bed without looking up.

"I've already signed the paperwork. I will bear the consequences."

"Why won't you listen to reason?" The doctor panicked, reaching out to stop her.

An arm shot out, easily blocking the doctor's hand.

Lucas stood outside the door, holding a bag of hot takeout. He didn't look at the doctor, his eyes fixed entirely on Sienna's pale face.

"Are you packed?"

Sienna nodded.

The doctor turned to Lucas. "Mr. Lowery, please talk some sense into her. Her current condition..."

"If she wants to leave, let her leave," Lucas interrupted. "I respect her decision."

The doctor froze, opened his mouth, and finally swallowed his words.

This entire hospital belonged to the Lowery family. If the boss gave the order, a mere doctor couldn't stop it.

Lucas handed the paper bag to Sienna.

"I have a hotel under my name nearby. It's quiet. You can stay there for now, and leave whenever you want."

Sienna took the bag, feeling the warmth of the soup through the paper.

She had been kicked out with absolutely nothing to her name, so she truly had nowhere else to go.

After a moment of thought, she nodded.

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

The two walked out of the hospital entrance, one after the other.

Outside, the sunlight was blinding, the air scrubbed clean by yesterday's storm. Lucas's car was idling at the bottom of the steps, and the driver opened the rear door.

Sienna slid in. Her body was still incredibly weak, and just walking those few steps had left her back coated in a layer of cold sweat.

She couldn't exactly tell him that a system had forced her to fall in love with a man, and that she had spent all her time trying to win his affection.

"Things got in the way," was all she could manage.

Lucas didn't press her. He just nodded.

Sienna looked out the window and added a moment later, "I won't ever put it down again."

No matter how many days she had left, she would never abandon her paintbrush again.

The car turned onto a quiet street and parked in front of a hotel.

The receptionist had clearly been notified in advance. Seeing Lucas, she rushed forward. "Mr. Lowery, the suite is ready."

Lucas led Sienna to the top floor and swiped the keycard.

The suite was massive, its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking half the city's skyline.

A top-tier easel stood in the center of the living room, surrounded by an array of premium paints and brushes from the finest brands in the world.

Sienna stood before the easel, reaching out to trace its wooden edge.

"Get some rest." Lucas paused at the entryway, refusing to step further inside. "Call me if you need anything."