Free Web NovelChapter 75: Meeting again
Lyvana slowly opened her eyes and realized she was in a hospital. It didn’t look like a normal room; it was a spacious VIP ward with soft lighting and comfortable furniture.
She tried to sit up, but her head felt heavy.
"Don’t move yet," a voice said.
Lyvana turned her head. Julian was sitting in a chair right next to her bed.
He looked tired. His tie was loose, and his hair was messy, as if he had been running his hands through it.
"Where... where am I?" she whispered, her throat feeling dry.
"The hospital," Julian answered. his voice was low and serious. "You fainted in your office. I brought you here myself."
"I’m going back to work," she said, already pushing the blankets aside. Her feet hit the cold floor, and she swayed for a second. freewebnovёl.ƈom
"Lyvana, stop," Julian said. He stood up quickly, his chair scraping against the floor. He reached out to catch her arm, his face full of worry.
"Stay away from me!" she hissed, pulling her arm away as if his touch burned.
Julian stopped. He held his hands up, showing he wouldn’t touch her again, but he didn’t move away from the bed.
"You can’t go back to work. The doctor said you need to stay here for a few hours and rest."
"I don’t need your help, Julian," Lyvana snapped. "I can take care of myself."
"Look, I know you are mad at me," Julian said quietly.
"You think?" Lyvana snapped. She didn’t wait for him to finish. She tried to walk past him, but his hand shot out and gripped her arm.
"Wait—"
Lyvana spun around instantly.
Slap!
The sound was loud in the quiet room. Her hand hit his cheek hard. Julian’s head snapped to the side, but he didn’t make a sound.
"Don’t touch me," she hissed. Her eyes burned with anger.
She didn’t stay to see the look on his face. She turned and strolled past him, walking out of the room
Her heart was pounding and her legs felt weak, but she refused to stay close to him. She walked down the long hospital hallway, focusing only on the exit. She had to get away before her resolve broke and she ends up in his arms.
Julian stood alone in the VIP room. He touched his cheek with his fingers. He didn’t remember this woman, but his heart felt a strange, sharp pain that had nothing to do with the slap.
"Okay... that did not go as well as I thought," he muttered to the empty room.
He looked at the door she had just walked through. He felt like he should follow her, but he stopped himself. If he had really been close to her in the past, and then married someone else, she had every right to be angry. He didn’t want to make her collapse again by chasing her.
He took out his phone and called Marco.
"Make sure she arrives safe."
As soon as the taxi door closed, all the toughness she had displayed in front of Julian suddenly vanished.
Tears began to flow down her cheeks. She cried in silence, looking out the window at the passing cars.
In her heart, she made a promise. She would never forget what he did to her. She would never forgive him for making her believe he loved her. He had sworn he would marry no one but her, yet he had married another woman.
She leaned her head against the cold glass. Amidst her messy thoughts, she began to think about her future.
She thought about this strange twist of fate. This baby changed everything.
Perhaps it meant something that this time, she was the one who was pregnant instead of Clarisse. But then there was Catalina. Catalina was a new part of the story. Now, Lyvana was more confused than before.
Unless...
Unless the story was truly changing.
The next morning, the sun was barely up. Lyvana sat in the car with Emily, heading toward the venue. Her heart was already racing. Tomorrow was the big day, and everything had to be perfect.
She picked up her phone and dialed Sarah’s number. She didn’t even say hello before asking, "Sarah, are the models on the runway yet?"
"Yes, Ms. Lyvana," Sarah answered. She sounded just as busy. "They’ve been practicing since four in the morning. The decorators are also on site."
"Good," Lyvana said firmly. "I’m on my way."
She hung up and gripped her phone tight.
"You okay?" Emily asked, reaching over to touch her arm.
"I’m fine," Lyvana lied, forcing a small smile. Seeing Julian yesterday had messed with her composure. But she can’t let him mess with her day.
The car pulled up to the front of the Meridian. Lyvana and Emily stepped out and walked inside.
The huge hall was filled with noise and energy. People were everywhere, rushing back and forth. Some workers were high up on ladders, fixing the bright stage lights and testing the sound system. Others were moving golden chairs into straight rows.
Decorators were busy hanging long, silk decorations from the ceiling.
At the very center of the room sat the runway.
Celeste had created a magnificent design. Instead of a wooden stage, a transparent acrylic runway had been built just an inch above the surface of the massive marble fountain.
"Oh, Lyvana," Emily whispered, "It’s even better than the drawings."
"It’s perfect," Lyvana said, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "It’s exactly how I imagined it."
Across the wide hall, Lyvana saw the models practicing their walk on the long stage. Xavier, the lead instructor, was standing at the edge of the runway, his eyes sharp as he watched every move.
"Okay, girls, let’s see that walk again!" Xavier shouted, his voice echoing through the room. He pointed to a tall girl in the middle. "You there, straighten up! Keep your shoulders back."
He moved down the line, never stopping his instructions. "Next girl. Watch your step. Chin up, girl! Don’t look down at the floor. You are wearing a masterpiece. Always feel proud while you walk. The audience needs to see your confidence, not your nerves."
