CHAPTER EIGHTY

Olivia running through the hospital hallways, her heart pounding. She could barely breath, the dread tightening around her chest like a vice.

The receptionist directed her to the ICU unit, where she hope and prayed that Lucas would be waiting with Vincent.

As she burst into the waiting area, her hopes were dashed. There was no sign of Lucas. Only the sterile, cold atmosphere of the hospital greeted her, along with a nurse who approached her solemnly.

“Miss Carter,” the nurse asked, her tone grave.

“Yes, where’s Lucas and how is Vincent?” Olivia demanded her voice cracking under the strain.

“Mr Vincent is in a critical condition.” the nurse began, her expression one of sympathy. “But as for Lucas …..I'm sorry. But we have no information on him. We were told he was shot, and his body fell into the water. No one has been able to locate him.”

Olivia felt the world tilt beneath her feet, her legs buckled, and she collapsed against nurse , Hot tears falling freely now, “No..No, that can't be right. Lucas wouldn't just disappear,” she stammered, shaking her head in denial.

“I’m sorry,” the nurse said holding her gently. “But right now, we’re doing everything we can for Vincent. I’ll take you to him.”

Olivia followed the nurse number, her mind refusing to process the information. Lucas couldn't be gone. He was too strong, too smart to just be….lost. The thought was unbearable.

When they reached Vincent's room, Olivia stopped in the doorway, her breath catch hing in her throat. Vincent was hooked up to various machines, his usually strong and imposing figure now looking frail and vulnerable. She stepped closer, tears blurring her vision.

“Vincent…” she whispered, her voice breaking, But he lay there unconscious.

As she stood there, the weight of everything began to crush on her. The man she loved was missing, possibly dead, and Vincent, who had always been a protector was fighting for his life.

She placed her hand on her stomach, the tears streaming down her face as she whispered, “Lucas, you have to be okay. You have to come back to me….to us.” The reality of the situation was suffocating, and Olivia felt utterly lost.

The weight of the despair weakened her legs,as she slumped into the chair, beside Vincent's bed, she buried her face in her hands, sobs racking her body, as the nurse quietly left the room. The beeping of machines was the only sound.

Olivia's thoughts raced, alternating between the faint hope that Lucas was alive somewhere, and the devastating fear that she might never see him again.

Her hand still resting on her stomach, as if trying to protect the small life growing inside her from the despair that tried to consume her.

“Please, Lucas,” she whispered into the stillness, “Come back to us…” The sound of footsteps approached, and she looked up to see Monica , who had just entered the room, her face a mask of concern.

“Olivia!” Monica cried out , dropping to her knees beside her. She wrapped her arms around Olivia, holding her tight, “Its gonna be okay Liv.”

Olivia shook her head, “Nothing is okay, Mon. Lucas is gone, he left….he left me with our baby.” Olivia voice tinged with sadness.

Monica gaze shifted to Vincent who laid in obvious on the bed, the man who had confessed his love to her was now lying unconscious on the body. Tears began to stream down Monica’s face.

“I ….I hope you get better soon Vincent,” Monica said, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she needed to be strong at this point especially for Olivia.

Olivia's eyes filled with tears, her heart breaking at the thought of everything that’s happening,“He promised we’d have a future together ,Mon.” she whispered, her voice trembling, “He promised he’d come back j, so we could travel to Mexico to see my parents. How did everything go so wrong.”

Monica couldn't answer, she could only reach out to take Olivia's hand, holding it tightly, still knelt by Olivia’s side.”

They both stayed in silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. Finally, Monica turned to Olivia, her expression a mixture of desperation and determination. “We have to find Lucas. He wouldn't just disappear, not like this. He’s out there Liv, i know he is.”

Olivia nodded, though her heart arched at the thought of Lucas, “But how? They’ve searched everywhere and there's been no sign of him. No one saw his body.”

Monica’s grip on Olivia tightened, “We can't lose hope, he’s out there, and we need to find him.”

Olivia wanted to believe Monica, wanted to cling to the hope that Lucas was still out there, fighting for his life. But the fear of losing him was overwhelming. She felt her a sharp pain in her abdomen and winced, instinctively placed her hand over her belly.

Monica noticed and her eyes widened with concern, “Liv, are you okay?”

Olivia shook her head, her face contorting the pain, “I’m not….I'm not okay Mon.” she whispered, her voice barely trembling. The pain in her abdomen grew sharper, more intense, she clutched her belly tightly, her breath coming in short.

Panic flashed on Monica’s eyes as she watched Olivia struggle, “Oh my God…..Just hold on Okay?” Her voice was urgent , as she turned and bolted out of the room.

“Nurse! We need help here !” Monica’s voice echoed through the hallway as she frantically called for assistance.

Within seconds a group of nurses rushed to where Olivia was , their faces calm but focused as they moved quickly to access the situation.

One nurse gently guided Olivia to a sit, while another checked her vitals.

“Miss Carter, Just breath for me okay?” one of the nurses said soothingly as she placed a hand on Olivia’s shoulder, trying to keep her calm despite the obvious pain she was having.

Olivia nodded weakly, her hand still resting protectively over her belly as the pain throbbed with every breath took. Fear gripped hervheart, not just for herself, but for the life inside her.