Sweet Hatred
Chapter 30: What now?

Chapter 30: What now?

Aria

The hospital air was too sterile, too heavy, too suffocating. I had spent hours in the same stiff chair, my fingers laced so tightly together that my knuckles had gone numb. Every ticking second had stretched endlessly, my prayers tangled with fear, my stomach twisted into knots so tight I thought I’d be sick.

Then, finally—

The doors swung open, and a doctor stepped out, his expression calm, composed.

"The surgery was successful," he said. "We were able to remove the tumors. Her vitals are stable, and we’ll keep monitoring her closely, but for now... everything looks good."

I exhaled so hard I felt lightheaded. Relief crashed into me, making my vision blur for a second. Beside me, Olivia let out a sharp, choked breath before scrambling to pull out her phone.

"Oh, thank God. Thank God," she whispered, her hands shaking as she dialed a number. She barely even greeted the person on the other end before launching into it. "Michael. The surgery’s over. It was successful. She’s stable."

I tuned out her voice, my mind still trying to process the weight that had just lifted.

My whole body was damp with sweat, my blouse sticking uncomfortably to my skin. I hadn’t even realized how tense I was until now—until the pressure eased just enough for me to feel the stiffness in my limbs, the aching in my back from sitting too long, the way my fingers still trembled slightly.

I wiped a hand over my face, exhaling again.

And then my phone vibrated.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, my fingers sluggish as I unlocked the screen. A list of unread messages stared back at me, and at the top—Sarah.

I swallowed, my pulse picking up again for an entirely different reason.

Sarah: Hey, you good?

Sarah: Let me know if you need anything.

Sarah: Aria, at least text back.

Guilt crept in. I hadn’t meant to ignore her. I just... couldn’t focus on anything beyond the surgery. I hesitated for a moment before typing back.

Me: Sorry. I wasn’t checking my phone. It’s been a long night.

Me: We should meet up later if you’re free. Maybe in the evening?

The reply came almost instantly.

Sarah: I’m holding you to that. Don’t flake on me, bitch.

A tired smile tugged at my lips.

I locked my phone and turned to Olivia, who was still on the phone with Michael, her voice tight with frustration. She saw me watching and rolled her eyes before hanging up.

"That was fast," I muttered.

"I hung up on him." She shoved the phone into her bag with a dramatic sigh. "I don’t have the energy for his bullshit today. I thought he’d be at least happy about mom but instead he’s bitching about taking care of the kids by himself."

"You never have the energy for his bullshit." I responded swallowing the rest of my words down... words like ’you got yourself in that mess so deal with it.’

"Exactly." She slung her purse over her shoulder, eyeing me up and down. "Speaking of bullshit, you look like crap."

"Thanks." I rubbed my temple, too drained to argue. "I’ll just go run a runway show now."

"Seriously, let’s go home, shower, sleep—do something. You look like you’ve been through hell."

I lifted a brow. "And you don’t?"

"I have a naturally radiant glow," she said, flipping her hair dramatically before sobering. "Are you sure you don’t wanna leave with me? You’ve been here all night."

I shook my head. "I’ll stay a little longer. Make sure she’s settled in her room."

Olivia sighed, then patted my shoulder. "Fine. But don’t stay too long."

"No promises."

She turned to leave, then paused. "And try not to look like a corpse when you meet Sarah later."

My brows furrowed, how did She—

"Try to fix your deadbeat husband while you’re at it." I shot back.

She gasped in mock offense, flipping me off as she walked away. I huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking my head before slumping back into the chair.

I stayed like that for a while, watching as the nurses moved my mom to an entirely different room from the last with an even better view from the window, adjusting wires, checking monitors. She looked so small in that bed, so fragile, and I hated it. But she was breathing. She was alive.

That was enough.

I leaned back against the chair, exhaustion weighing down my body, my mind still spinning but slowly settling.

What now? Mom’s surgery was over, I had my job back— and better in a sense but it came with a price that cost me my sweet sweet pride and then my mind circled back. How I got compromised in the first place.

I ran a few names in my mind of people who probably had a grudge against me but I never really could think of anyone specifically. Yes I had quite the reputation but I never started a fight neither did I go after anyone who didn’t deserve it.

Even with all that little patience, I was a civilized woman and not a barbarian.

And then—

"Even exhausted, you’re still burning," a deep voice drawled.

My eyes snapped open. I looked up, and there he was. Kael. Standing before me, arms crossed, looking as effortlessly composed as ever. His dark eyes flickered over me, taking in the obvious signs of exhaustion—the stiff posture, the dark circles, the way I could barely hold myself upright.

Still, there was something unreadable in his gaze, something that made my skin prickle.

"Flattering," I said, my voice dry as the Sahara. "What’s next? Are you going to tell me I look like a goddess while running on fumes?"

His lips curved. "I was considering it."

I scoffed, shaking my head. "And here I was thinking you weren’t the poetic type."

"I have my moments." He slid his hands into his pockets, tilting his head slightly. "And you, firefly, look like you’ve had a long night."

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms. "Brilliant observation. You should be a detective."

"I’d be excellent at it."

"Modest, too."

His smirk didn’t waver. "I do try."

I exhaled, tired but not tired enough to let him win whatever this was. "So? Why have you graced me with your presence?"

Kael placed a hand on his chest, feigning innocence. "Can’t a boss check in on his hardworking employee? I’m very caring, you know."

I narrowed my eyes, deadpan. "Yes, I’ve heard of your legendary kindness. It’s truly awe-inspiring. That’s why you fired me without any proper investigations."

"I can’t afford slip-ups Miss Thorne, I don’t have the patience for that." A wide grin appeared. " I’m sure you already know a few things about little patience firefly."

Tsk! He was doing it again but I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction.

"No, you just a heartless—" I stopped myself. I didn’t know why but I did. Maybe it was because of my mother.

His brows arched in anticipation for me to complete my statement but I just scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Whatever."

Kael hummed, watching me with a look that was too damn amused for my liking. The air between us shifted—silent but charged, like an unsaid challenge. To be fair, it always was. He didn’t move closer, didn’t do anything overtly imposing, yet his presence filled every inch of the space.

I held his gaze, refusing to look away, even as something hot and unreadable twisted in my stomach.

My voice cut through the thick silence.

"Why are you really here, Sir?" My body cringed at the word "Sir" but I had no choice.

He shifted in his stance, his infuriating smirk in place.

"Your office is ready."

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