Chapter 30
Chapter 29: Hospital
“Mr. Anderson, we are planning to design this hotel using modern luxury and classic European influences—”
Elena, one of our finest interior designers, and our head architect, David, were again interrupted by the intimidating Liam Anderson.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was thick with tension. A presentation that should have been the highlight of the Winslow team’s efforts was turning into a slow, painful dissection under Liam’s sharp scrutiny. It had been an hour, and no one could relax.
Liam wasted no time. This was his first day at Winslow, and he was already giving them a nightmare.
Even Juliana, usually composed and calm, seemed bothered in her seat.
I couldn’t blame her. Liam still hadn’t signed the contract. He just kept tapping his pen against the table, making everyone nervous–except me.
I was irritated. I was hungry. I wanted to go home.
“I can see from here that you’ve designed something that looks like every other five–star hotel in the city. It’s almost identical to my other hotels. I told you I wanted something distinct, something memorable.”
“Mr. Anderson, we took inspiration from some of the world’s top hotels, including the Andersons-”
“That’s exactly the problem. Inspiration? Is that all you can offer me?” Liam scoffed and cut in once again. “I don’t want a f*cking replica of someone else’s work. If I wanted that, why didn’t I just hire the ones who made those hotels you took inspiration from?”
He sighed, closing his eyes for a brief moment, pinching the bridge of his nose before resting his fingers against his temple. “I want this hotel to be a signature of its own.”
When he opened his eyes, his gaze landed on me. He raised an eyebrow, and I realized my brows had been drawn together in a subtle scowl.
I quickly shifted in my seat, refocusing on my laptop screen, pretending I wasn’t just caught reacting to his tirade.
“I want this hotel to be immediately recognized as Anderson property. When people step inside, they shouldn’t see a replica of those hotels you took inspiration from, Miss Elena.”
“With all due respect, Sir, you’re talking as if Elena plagiarized-”
“David” Juliana hissed at him, warning him not to continue whatever he was about to say.
I almost shook my head. This was exactly why working with someone you had a relationship with shouldn’t be practiced—emotions would take over sometimes.
Despite my irritation with Liam Anderson, I understood why he didn’t like their presentation. He wasn’t wrong. The designs Winslow had presented lacked the uniqueness he demanded.
“I want a full revision of the concept in a week. Everyone–regardless of their position–can present their designs. Something unique, not overused. Give me a design that makes a statement the moment guests step in. Whoever can give me that, I’ll give you a handsome reward.”
And now, it was a competition everyone wanted to participate in. With Liam Anderson offering a handsome reward, everyone knew how much money was at stake.
As he walked to the front of the room, Liam opened the folder containing Juliana’s contract.
Juliana finally smiled, realizing what was happening despite Elena and David’s failure to impress Liam.
Liam Anderson was still going to sign a contract with Winslow.
I stafted my gaze away from them and focused on my laptop screen. Just then, a message popped up on my WhatsApp.
My heart pounded at the message Anna had sent me.
Anna: Mia! I’ll bring Rylie to the hospital. She’s breaking out in rashes all over her body, and she can’t breathe.
No-
The chair I was sitting on scraped against the floor with a loud noise, making everyone’s attention snap toward me. But I wasted no time. I ran out of the meeting room.
1/3
11:15 AM
Chapter 30
I was already in the basement, walking to my car, when I stopped and realized I didn’t have my bag. My keys were in there! I didn’t even have my wallet with me.
“Damn you, Mia! You are such a fool-”
As I turned around, I saw Liam Anderson walking toward me.
“What’s happening?”
1-1 need to leave, sir-”
“Let me take you where you’re going.”
I wouldn’t want to be in the same car with him in any other situation, but I found myself nodding and letting him lead me to his vehicle.
I didn’t want to waste even a second.
After I gave him the hospital’s location, I said, “Please, drive faster. My daughter needs me.”
If a car could fly from sheer speed, we would surely be in the air right now. Liam disregarded traffic regulations as he sped through the streets.
Yet, it was one of the longest rides of my life, every second stretching unbearably as we raced toward the hospital where my daughter had been rushed.
As soon as we arrived, I bolted out of Liam’s car, sprinting toward the emergency room.
“Mia!” Anna exclaimed as soon as she saw me.
“Where’s Rylie?” My voice broke, but I held back my tears.
This wasn’t the time to cry. I had to be strong for my daughter.
“She’s inside–Mia!” Anna rushed to me just as I was about to push the door open. “You can’t go in. The doctor said to wait here.”
I exhaled sharply. “What happened, Anna?” My body screamed to run inside and see my baby, but I forced myself to listen.
I’m sorry, Mia. It’s my fault.” Her voice trembled. “I didn’t notice the twins‘ medication had run out, so I ran to a nearby pharmacy, leaving them alone, and…
“And?” I demanded, my stomach twisting.
“When I came back, Ryker was crying and shouting for help. It turns out he gave some medicine to Rylie–the one I left in her room. It was my little brother’s medication. It was also for fever, but I remember you told me Rylie can only take what her doctor prescribed in case of an allergic
reaction…
I pressed a hand to my mouth. “Oh God…” My panicked gaze darted around the waiting area until I locked eyes with Liam, who was watching me with concern.
I ignored him and grabbed Anna’s arms. “Where’s Ryker?”
Her eyes widened as if she’d just remembered something. “I–I left him alone”
‘Anna!
Tm sorry, Mia,” she sobbed.
“I need to see Ryker.” I turned toward the exit but stopped. Rylie needed me here, too.
I spun back around. “Okay, Anna, bring him here. Take a cab. Tell him Rylie will be fine, okay?”
Anna nodded, but she looked dazed, her hands trembling. I doubted Ryker would believe Rylie was fine if he saw Anna in this state.
T fetch Ryker, Liam said.
“No, he won’t come with you-
“He will. I’ll call you once I have him.”
Before I could protest, Liam was already leaving
2/3
11:15 AM
Chapter 30
I moved to follow him, but the emergency room doors swung open, and a nurse called Rylie’s name.
“Doctor, how is my daughter?” I asked, my heart pounding.
‘She’s out of danger, but we must admit her and run some tests.”
“Can I see her?”
The doctor nodded and led me inside. “She’s still under the effects of the medication we administered. It was fortunate she was brought in quickly. If she had been even a minute late…” The doctor trailed off, but I understood.
We could have lost her.
“Rylic, baby…” I whispered as I approached my daughter.
The rashes on her body hadn’t subsided. Her face was swollen, and even with the oxygen mask, I could see her struggling to breathe.
“Is she really going to be okay?”
“We’ll do everything we can to make her okay.”
I held my daughter’s hand, “Please be okay, baby. Mommy’s already here.”
“Mia…” Anna called softly, handing me her phone.
“It’s Ryker.”
I quickly wiped away my tears and took the phone.
“Hey, baby…”
“Mommy, Liam’s here. He says he’s going to take me to where you and Rylic are,” he said, his voice shaky. I could tell he’d been crying. “Can I go with him?”
Hearing the fear in his voice made my chest tighten. My little boy, crying, scared, desperate for reassurance.
I hesitated for a moment, but there was no other option.
“Yes, baby. You can come with him….” The words felt foreign as they came out of my mouth.
Trusting my son with Liam Anderson? It was something I never thought I’d do. But right now, I don’t have a choice.
“O–okay, I’ll come with him,” Ryker said, sniffling. “I’ll bring Rylie’s SpongeBob. Is she okay?”
My throat tightened at his words. He was thinking about his twin, even through his own fear.
I glanced at my daughter. “Yes, Ryker. She’s okay.”
Okay, Mommy. Here, talk to Liam.”
The phone rustled, and I heard muffled sounds before a deeper, more controlled voice took over the line.
I swallowed hard, forcing out words I never thought I’d say to this man after everything…
“Sir, thank you for picking up my son. I’ve already inconvenienced you enough—”
“You are not an inconvenience, Mia,” he interrupted, his voice firm yet calin. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
3/3
