Staring at the unfamiliar nurse in front of her, Ashley hesitated for a moment before taking a chance. "Could I borrow your phone to make a call?"
"Sure!" The nurse agreed without a second thought and handed her the phone.
"Thanks!" Ashley clutched the phone gratefully, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Lucas's number.
Thank goodness she still remembered it. As she hit the call button, she silently hoped.
Lucas, please pick up...
"The number you have dialed is powered off. Please try again later," came the automated voice after a brief pause.
Why is it off? Could he be out looking for her and his phone died? Unwilling to give up, she redialed his number.
But all five attempts came back with the same cold message: the user is currently unavailable.
"Miss Carter, you don't have to call Mr. Blackwood. He'll be here soon," the nurse offered helpfully, thinking Ashley was trying to reach Charles.
"When is he coming?" Ashley tensed at that.
"Your fever's down now, and the doctor advised rest at home. After informing Mr. Blackwood, we've arranged for your discharge. He said he'd come pick you up by 6:30 at the latest," the nurse explained.
6:30 at the latest? Ashley glanced at the phone-it was already 6:15. That meant he could show up any minute now.
Idiot! Why did she end up like this? She finally made it into a hospital, and what did she do? Slept like a log! She couldn't believe she'd wasted so much time.
She wanted to smack herself.
No way-if he showed up, she wouldn't get another shot at calling Lucas!
"Can I ask what hospital this is?" She tried to sound casual, hiding her growing anxiety.
"This is Concordia Medical Center," the nurse replied, puzzled but honest.
"Thank you!" Ashley quickly opened the text message screen and began typing to Lucas: "Lucas, it's Ashley. I'm stuck in Concordia Medical Center. Come quickly..."
Just as she was about to type "Help me," the door creaked open. Startled, her hand shook, and the phone slipped from her grip, crashing on the floor.
"Miss Carter, are you feeling any discomfort right now?" asked the doctor as he walked in and looked at her with concern."Feeling much better." Ashley had thought it was Charles walking in, so when she saw it was just the doctor, she finally let out a breath.
"You're in the clear now. Just running a slight fever, so make sure you stay hydrated and get some rest. You'll be back to normal in a few days," the doctor said after wrapping up a set of checkups.
"Thanks," Ashley mumbled absentmindedly, eyes fixed on the phone being casually taken back and slipped into its owner's pocket.
As soon as the doctor left, she turned eagerly to the nurse. "Sorry, could I borrow your phone again for a sec?"
"Of course, go ahead!" the nurse said, handing it over once more.
"Thank you!" Ashley said quickly, her hands trembling as she punched in "911." Since she couldn't get ahold of Lucas, she had no time to lose. Maybe calling the police would work-someone had to pick up, right?
"Miss Carter, you really don't have to be so polite to me," the nurse said cheerfully. "Technically, this whole hospital belongs to you!"
"Mine?" Ashley stared at her, confused.
"Totally. Mr. Blackwood's family owns this hospital. Given how close you and he are... what's his is pretty much yours, right?"
"You're telling me he owns this hospital too?" Her fingers froze on the screen mid-dial.
"Yeah! Over half of everything in Impervale is either owned or somehow linked to the Blackwood group. Honestly, I'd say you must've saved the entire galaxy in your last life to land a guy like Mr. Blackwood-he's rich, powerful, and completely smitten with you."
Half the city... Ashley felt like the sky was falling.
"Aren't you making a call?" the nurse nudged, seeing her freeze up.
Was there even a point anymore? She'd barely get through before someone on the other end ratted her out to Charles.
"No, it's fine. Thanks anyway." She forced a smile and handed the phone back.
"Alright." The nurse took it back without sensing the shift in Ashley's mood.
"I'm feeling a bit hungry. Would you mind grabbing me something to eat?" Ashley asked, hoping to get her out of the room.
"Sure thing! I'll be right back." The nurse gave her a nod and walked out.
The moment she stepped out, Ashley pushed herself to the edge of the bed. But she had moved too quickly-her weak body gave out, and she collapsed hard onto the floor.
Ignoring the pain shooting through her limbs, she forced herself up, staggering straight to the door and pushing it open.
