Chapter 8 Lost

"You'll have a follow-up appointment next week. And ensure you get plenty of rest for the next few days as emotional strain can trigger another episode." James Arthur handed her a small envelope containing her prescription.

Heira nodded faintly as she sat quietly on the hospital bed, her gaze fixed on the sunlight streaming through the blinds, drawing faint lines across the sterile floor.

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor had become oddly comforting, steady but predictable, unlike the chaos that had landed her here.

It had been three days since she was admitted. Three long days of monitor beeping, nurses checking vitals, and footsteps fading into corridors.

Sebastian had been her only visitor. He showed up quietly each morning, sometimes bringing flowers. Bethy wasn't in town, but she never failed to FaceTime her daily. Her face glowed with worry through the screen, "I wish I were there to take care of my baby," her voice soft and heavy with guilt. "But I'm sure you understand why I can't come."

Bethy was on a business trip, and Heira had told her not to worry as she is properly taken care of. She didn't want her friend to feel worse than she already did.

She had received a lot of care from the doctor and nurses, and Sebastian had also been helpful.

A soft knock broke through her thoughts, followed by the creak of the door.

Sebastian stepped in, his familiar scent preceding him.

"You're ready to leave?" he asked, his voice low, as if afraid it might break the quietness in the ward. He must have gotten the text about her discharge.

Dr. Arthur had confirmed earlier that morning that her ECG results looked much better. The arrhythmia had settled, her heartbeat returning to its normal rhythm.

"Yes," she mumbled with a soft smile, forcing some light into her tone.

She began to pack her things into the same bag she had left home with when the nurse arrived with her discharge papers. She managed to sign where needed and made her way out, accompanied by Sebastian.

The world outside the building looked bright, but her heart still felt clouded with uncertainty. Still hurt by the betrayal, she decided she wasn't going back to the villa.

And though she knew Sebastian wouldn't mind if she stayed with him, she couldn't bring herself to accept it. She didn't want to be anyone's burden. So instead, she told herself she would find a hotel to lodge.

As they walked towards the car, Heira lost her balance due to how weak she was. Sebastian's arm caught her just in time, but another hand reached out too, firm and steady.

Her gaze dropped on polished black shoes, unmistakably expensive. Then slowly, her eyes lifted, only to see the last person she expected. Dante stood there in his immaculate build.

Their eyes met, and the air between them thickened with everything left unsaid. Shock flickered through her, followed by a sense of anger, sharp and unrelenting.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Only the hum of cars buzzed quietly across the hospital driveway.

Dante's eyes moved from her pale face to the band around her wrist, the IV tape still clinging faintly to her skin.

"Let's get you home. You shouldn't be walking in your condition, you need to rest," he said finally, his voice low but carrying that familiar authority she once found reassuring.

Heira's lips trembled before she found her voice. "And you shouldn't be here," She clapped back.

Her words came out quieter than she intended, but they still cut through the air like glass.

Sebastian stepped slightly in front of her after sensing the tension between the two. "She's alright, you don't have to worry," he said evenly, though there was a hint of warning in his tone.

Dante's attention was drawn to him. He took a proper gaze at him, as if only now noticing his presence. His eyes narrowed as he scanned him from head to toe.

He could feel the ease in his posture and the familiarity in the way he stood beside Heira. He found it infuriating to see his hands steady her.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Who's this?" he asked, the words coming out colder than he intended.

Sebastian met his stare without flinching. "A friend," he replied simply.

"Okay, friend," Dante said stiffly, his gaze still fixed on Sebastian. "I'll take care of my wife from here."

The atmosphere turned suffocating as they stood locked in a stare that could cut through stone. Neither spoke, but their eyes screamed the words they refused to say aloud.

The word 'wife' felt like a mockery and an insult dressed in concern for Heira. And it only made her heart ache more.

"Your wife?" she repeated bitterly. "You should probably say that to the woman in your bed, not the one you threw out of your house."

"You can hate me all you want, Heira," he muttered, "but you shouldn't be out here like this. You need rest."

Heira was done with his pretense. There is no way she would believe a word he says after what he did.

She turned to leave, leaning slightly against Sebastian's shoulder as he supported her with each step.

Restlessness crept upon Dante as he watched her slowly leave his view. His ego was bruised, and he realized his chances were slowly slipping away. All he knows is that he needed her to be home by that night.

"Heira," he called after her in desperation. "Name your price, I'll do anything. Please just come home with me."

She paused for a heartbeat with her back still turned to him. Disbelief clouded her pale face. "Is that what I am to you?" she asked quietly while slowly walking towards him. "A deal to close? Something you can bargain for when it's convenient?" her voice rising in anger.

Dante realized he might have said the wrong words. He was trying to get a favor from her, but ended up making the situation ten times worse by getting her angry.

"No, that's not what I meant." He winced, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

He then took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Please, just listen. My grandma's coming tonight." His tone softened immediately, gentle and almost pleading. "She's been so excited to meet you, Heira. She asks about you every time we talk."

His throat tightened as he spoke, the stiffness in his shoulders softening for just a fleeting second. "I can't let her know I pushed you away. That would hurt her feelings."

For the first time, Heira saw him being passionate about someone. The way his eyes melted when he talked about his grandma was cute. She saw the fear of disappointing the one person who had always loved him unconditionally in his eyes.

But that still doesn't change the fact that he didn't show remorse for what he did, he only cared about not hurting his grandma's feelings when he completely shattered hers. No matter how much his words tried to reach her, her heart was too bruised to let them in.

She wiped a tear threatening to fall. "That isn't enough for me to stay. You should have thought about that before compromising our marriage."

She walked away before he could say another word.

Dante stood there with each step she took tearing through the last shreds of his composure. "So you are staying with him, huhh? I guess I'm not the only one with an affair," he shouted just enough for his voice to cut through the distance.

There was no denying that he had his ego crushed, and the thought of losing her to another man made him sick.

Heira paid no attention to him as she stepped into the car. Sebastian shuts the door softly behind her just before he drives off.

Dante watched as the car disappeared from sight, and that was when the realisation hit him. Granny Mae was arriving that evening, and Heira wasn't coming back.

He pressed a palm against his forehead, shutting his eyes tightly. "What have I done..." he whispered. Almost regretting his actions.

Just then, he pulled out his phone and opened a chat. His thumb hovered briefly as he sent a message along with a photo.

[Handle this.]

His expression hardened again with his emotions buried beneath his composure.