The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 96

“I ran into… something on the road. Get to City Hospital, as fast as you can! I’ll explain when you get here. I’m waiting for you right at the main entrance. Don’t let Suzie know about this yet. She’s pregnant and can’t handle that kind of stress right now… just hurry…”

Suzie couldn’t hear the rest of what Stella said, because the moment Oliver heard “Don’t let Suzie know,” he quickly switched off the speakerphone.

From Stella’s frantic tone, Suzie could sense the gravity of the situation. Her own heart began to race, and a cold sweat broke out on her palms.

When the call ended, the color had drained from Oliver’s face. The usually calm and composed man, who took everything in stride, now looked like a frightened child. He fumbled with the phone, pressing it into Suzie’s hand as he stammered, “I… I left my phone in the car. I’ll… I’ll go ahead. You wait here.”

His voice was hoarse and trembling, and a pang of sorrow shot through Suzie. She gently wiped a tear from the side of her nose and said softly, “Oliver, your parents will be fine. I’m coming with you.”

She quickly added, “I feel fine. Let’s go.”

Oliver, looking lost and dazed, gave a slow nod and shuffled toward the door. Watching his lonely, desolate figure, Suzie felt another wave of sadness. Anyone receiving news that their parents had been in an accident would be just as shattered. It was the kind of pain no one could carry for him.

Suzie took a moment to compose herself before quickening her pace to catch up with him.

Thinking of Oliver's parents brought back memories from her childhood at the old estate. They had always treated her far more kindly than Margaret and David ever did, and she had always held them close to her heart.

Back then, Margaret would often throw her out of the house and refuse to give her food. It was always Oliver who brought her to his home, where his parents would give her something to eat.

It seemed as if he was only just now realizing she was in the car with him. He wrestled with the anxiety tearing through him and eased his foot off the accelerator.

When they arrived at the hospital entrance and saw Stella, they froze. She was covered in bloodstains, both large and small, most of them already starting to dry.

Before either of them could speak, Stella said in a rush, “Suzie! Why are you here?! Hospitals are the last place you need to be right now. You can’t come inside. Just wait for us on one of the planters over there!”

Her voice held a note of reprimand. Immediately, her gaze shifted to Oliver. “Quick, Oliver, come with me! We’ll talk on the way!”