51 “Alright,” he finally said, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. “I’ll follow you. But you owe me an explanation.” Olivia’s face softened in relief, and for a brief moment, he could see the vulnerability in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing his arm before turning toward the hallway. As they walked down the corridor, Carmen stood frozen in place, her face pale with anxiety. She didn’t move as Olivia and Dylan disappeared from view, but the worry in her eyes lingered long after they had passed. Dylan glanced over at Olivia as she led him down the hall, the mansion’s grandeur feeling almost oppressive now, as though the walls were closing in around them. The distant sound of footsteps echoed through the silent house. They reached a set of stairs leading to the upper floor, and Olivia’s pace quickened. Dylan’s steps slowed as he noticed the way she was moving—quick, yet careful, like someone who had done this many times before. “Olivia,” he began, his voice

53 Dylan stared at Olivia, his jaw tightening. Heal her? His fists clenched at his sides as anger surged through him. "What the hell do you mean, Olivia?" His voice came out sharp, almost a growl. "Heal her? How?" Olivia swallowed hard, her eyes darting from him to her parents, then back to the little girl on the bed. "I—" she hesitated, her breath shaky. "I planned this, Dylan. From the moment I asked you to follow me." Dylan took a step forward, his chest heaving. "Planned what, Olivia?" She finally met his eyes, guilt flashing in hers. "When I told you I just wanted to thank you for saving my life… I lied." His stomach twisted. He had known something was off, but this? His fingers twitched with the urge to run a hand through his hair, but he held back. "So you tricked me," he said, voice low and deadly. "You used me." Her lips parted, panic flashing across her face. "I had to!" she burst out. "Dylan, you don't understand! I—" She turned to her parents, her hands shaking. "I

55Olivia’s breath hitched. “Dad—”“This is for your own good, Olivia,” Lewis interrupted, his tone final. “I won’t have you putting your faith in a man who can’t even explain what he did.”Dylan’s jaw tightened. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”“You do if you want to stay,” Lewis shot back.Dylan let out a bitter chuckle. “Right. Because I’m supposed to prove myself to you?” He shook his head, stepping back. “I don’t need your approval. I don’t need you to believe me.” He turned to Olivia, his gaze softening. “I only cared about saving your life.”Olivia’s lips parted, uncertainty flickering across her face.But Lewis had heard enough. “If you won’t leave on your own, I’ll make sure you do.”The threat hung heavy in the air.Olivia’s breath quickened, her heart hammering against her ribs. “Dad, you’re making a mistake.”Lewis didn’t even blink. “No, Olivia. You’re the one making a mistake by trusting this fraud.”Dylan scoffed, his patience hanging by a thread. “You’re so damn sure

57 Dylan’s muscles tensed, a storm brewing inside him. He had no doubt Lucas would follow through on his threat. The guy reeked of privilege and unchecked confidence—the kind of person who always got his way, no matter the cost. But Dylan wasn’t about to back down. Olivia’s breathing was ragged, her head snapping between the two men, panic flashing across her face. “Lucas, stop this! Dylan is the only person who can help Odile right now!” Lewis crossed his arms, unimpressed. “And why should we believe that?” Olivia turned to her father, her voice rising. “Because I felt it, Dad! When I was dying, I felt his power. It wasn’t a trick, it wasn’t some coincidence—he saved me!” Lucas scoffed, shaking his head. “Sounds like desperation talking.” Olivia’s eyes burned with frustration. “It’s the truth!” Dylan took a deep breath, his anger threatening to boil over. “Look,” he said, voice tight, “I don’t care what any of you think of me. But Odile is dying. And if you let that happen b

59 Dylan let go of the door handle, quietly stepping back as the attention in the room shifted entirely to Dr. Caldwell. If they were too busy fawning over him to notice, he wasn’t about to leave just yet. His gut told him to stay.The arrival of this so-called doctor had shifted the room’s tension, and for the first time, Lewis and Zara’s confidence wavered. He wasn’t about to walk out just yet.He turned slightly, his sharp gaze locked on Dr. Caldwell, watching every move the man made. Something about him didn’t sit right. The way his eyes flickered too quickly over the room, the smoothness in his voice—it felt too rehearsed, too convenient.Zara, arms still crossed, narrowed her eyes. “Dr. Everett has never mentioned having a replacement. Why would he send someone we don’t know without informing us first?”Dr. Caldwell smiled, unfazed. “I understand your concern, truly. But emergencies happen, and doctors must be flexible. Dr. Everett knew your daughter needed immediate attention,