Accidental Marriage with the CEO: Unwanted Bride
Chapter 36: Hospital gown

Chapter 36: Hospital gown

"What?!! What the hell have you done to my best friend?! I swear I will kill every single one of you! None of you will leave with your brains intact!!" Zara screamed into the phone, her voice shaking with rage.

The person on the other end abruptly hung up, only fueling her fury.

Staring at the now-silent screen, she growled, "How dare you hang up on me?! I will kill you first the moment I get there!"

Without wasting another second, she started the engine. Just as she was about to take off, her phone rang again. It was Kay, Roman’s assistant. She stared at the screen, her jaw clenched, and ignored the call. Patricia came first.

She slammed her foot on the gas and raced toward the address she had been given. As she neared the estate, a flicker of familiarity crossed her mind but she was too consumed with worry to connect the dots. Reaching the gate, she laid on the horn, holding it down like a war cry.

Moments later, the massive gate slid open, and she sped through like a force of nature, not caring about whatever was in her way. She skidded to a stop in front of a grand mansion, leapt out of the car without even shutting the door, and stormed toward the entrance.

There stood a man dressed like a butler, beaming at her with an unsettling smile.

Zara didn’t hesitate. She lunged at him, grabbing his collar and tightening her grip around his throat until he began to choke.

"Take me to Patricia right now or I swear my face will be the last thing you ever see," she snarled, her voice low and venomous. The man tapped her hand in panic, gasping for air.

"Where is she?!" She screamed.

Another man stepped forward from behind. "Miss Zara," he said calmly, "choking him won’t help. Mr. Syres asked me to bring you to Miss Patricia."

Syres?

Her eyes narrowed. Of course. That familiar feeling she had when driving in, it was Syres’s estate. It was his man that called.

She released the butler with a shove, then stormed past the second man like she owned the place, her boots stomping loudly across the pristine floor.

They led her into a room that resembled a luxurious suite, it had its own living room, kitchen, spacious bed, even a private bathroom. Despite the elegant décor, Zara’s expression remained cold. None of this impressed her. All she wanted was Patricia.

For all she knew, her best friend was being held here against her will. Syres was charming, no doubt, but men like him were dangerous. She had dated someone like that once, intense, obsessive, manipulative. They would make you feel like the center of the universe, only to discard you the moment they grew bored.

"Miss Zara, this way please," the man instructed, leading her through another hallway.

Finally, they arrived at the room.

Patricia lay unconscious on the bed, a drip hooked into her fragile hand.

Zara froze.

The image didn’t register at first. It couldn’t be her Patricia. Her cute, stubborn, naive best friend... lying so still, so helpless. Her heart cracked. A single tear slid down her cheek as guilt swallowed her whole.

She should have answered those calls. She should have been there.

Lowering her head, she clenched her fists. She hated herself for not protecting the one person who had always protected her.

When she finally looked up again, her gaze darkened, and that’s when she saw him.

Syres.

Standing quietly beside Patricia’s bed.

Without thinking, Zara stormed across the room and grabbed Syres by the collar, her voice sharp and trembling. "Who did this to her?!"

He smiled, and it only infuriated her more. She narrowed her eyes, confused by his reaction, and tightened her grip around his shirt. For a moment, Syres was taken aback, he didn’t expected such strength from someone so petite.

"Calm down," he said coolly, completely unfazed. "I didn’t do this. Your anger is aimed at the wrong person."

"Then tell me who it is!!" She yelled, her voice echoing through the room, loud enough to wake someone up.

"Zara..." came a soft, fragile voice that froze her in place.

Patricia.

Zara’s hands fell away from Syres, her fury instantly dissolving into heartbreak. Her gaze shifted to the bed, where her best friend lay pale and fragile in a hospital gown. Tears welled in Zara’s eyes as she slowly walked over and picked up Patricia’s hand, pressing it gently to her cheek like it would reassure her that this was real, that she was alive.

"I am okay," Patricia whispered, trying to calm her even though fear still lingered inside her. For a moment, she had truly thought death had come for her.

Zara shook her head, unable to speak through the lump in her throat. She felt ashamed, not not being there, for missing the signs, for letting this happen. Patricia, overwhelmed herself, couldn’t hold back anymore either. Her tears spilled freely, and the two of them broke into a quiet storm of sobs.

Understanding the moment needed privacy, Syres gave a subtle nod to his man and quietly left the room himself.

They cried together for several more minutes before calming down. The bed was large enough for two, and Zara slipped in beside her, refusing to let go of her hand.

Patricia began recounting everything that had happened, her voice low, trembling at times. It was a rollercoaster of pain, fear, disbelief, and somehow, relief. They cried again. Laughed in between. Frowned at parts too cruel to be real. But through it all, one thing was certain, they were grateful to be together again.

"You are so warm," Zara murmured, pulling her closer. The relief of knowing Patricia was alive coursed through her like warmth itself. Ever since she had cut ties with her own family, Patricia had become the only one she considered home. Losing her would have felt like losing everything.

"You too," Patricia replied, snuggling closer. The tension broke, and they burst into laughter.

Then came the question that had been gnawing at Patricia’s heart.

"What about him?" She asked softly.

Zara didn’t need clarification. Her smile vanished instantly as she sat upright, her eyes darkening.

"I wish he was dead," she muttered. "Kay tried calling me earlier. I should have known. But if Roman truly cared, he would be here, not sending his assistant."

Patricia lowered her gaze. "I just... I am worried he would be angry we didn’t meet up," she said, though it wasn’t the truth. What she really wanted to know was; did he ask about her? Was he worried?

Zara scoffed. "Why do you even care? He lured you into that damn freezer. Maybe Michelle gave the order, but he made it happen. He was part of it, Patricia. You are lucky to be alive. You should stay away from him, at least until we close that investment deal."

Her words stung. Patricia felt foolish for even asking. Zara was right. Whether Roman directly plotted or not, he had supported it.

"...Alright. I will leave the house for a while," she finally said.

Zara turned to her, concerned. "Where will you stay?"

A voice answered before Patricia could.

"She will stay here."

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