As Olivia's consciousness flickered back to life, she found herself in a spacious room bathed in a soft, inviting glow.
Expensive paintings adorned the walls, their vibrant hues casting a kaleidoscope of colour across the room. Plush sofas beckoned from the corners and a television was mounted against one wall.
At the heart of the room stood a king-sized bed, beneath Olivia's weary frame. Clad in a pair of delicate pajamas, her form nestled into the comfort of the bed, a bandage on her chest a stark reminder of the trials she had endured.
As if summoned by the gentle rhythm of Olivia's breath, an elderly lady glided into the room.
"Good morning, Ms. Olivia. I'm Matilda, Mr. Leone's housekeeper," she greeted Olivia with a gentle smile, as she closed the door behind her.
"How long have I been unconscious?" Olivia asked as she mustered the strength to push herself into a sitting position.
A sudden wave of dizziness washed over her and she closed her eyes. It was as if her body had forgotten how to obey her commands.
Matilda approached her beside, setting a tray laden with sandwiches, beverages, and a small, clear container with a few pills on the nearby nightstand.
"To answer your question, Ms. Olivia, you've been unconscious for two days. For further inquiries, you can direct them to Mr. Leone. He'll come to see you as soon as he can," Matilda informed her and exited the room depriving Olivia of the opportunity to pose further questions.
Slowly, Olivia shifted on the bed, reaching for the sandwiches resting on the nightstand. Despite her loss of appetite, her training as a doctor reminded her of the critical importance of nourishment and medication in her path to recovery.
Summoning her dwindling reserves of willpower, Olivia forced herself to take a few bites of the sandwich. With each swallow, she felt her fatigue pressing down upon her.
After eating half of the sandwich, she washed down her medication with a gulp of juice before she settled back into bed again and drifted off to sleep.
When Olivia woke up, the sky outside was cloaked in the deep indigo of nightfall. Feeling a bit stronger, she headed to the bathroom where she found fresh clothing and all the necessities awaited her so she could freshen up.
She managed to take a short shower, avoiding the bandages on her chest. She longed to wash her hair but lacked the energy, so she settled for applying some hair products and slowly brushing it out, each movement causing a dull ache in her chest.
Emerging from the bathroom, she noticed a tray of dinner on her nightstand alongside a cup holding her medication. By the window, gazing out into the darkness with his hands casually behind his back stood Matteo.
"I see you're feeling better," Matteo said, turning to face her with a small smile playing on his lips.
"I am," Olivia replied, not moving from her spot. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"I'll always take care of the people I love," he said, his gaze piercing and intent.
Love. Was that even a word worth mentioning?
"Matteo, why am I here? Why did you want to see me at the office?" Olivia asked.
"I see not much has changed about you, always straight to the point," Matteo remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Olivia remained silent, waiting for Matteo to provide an answer. He walked over to the sofa in the room and gestured for her to join him. "Please, have a seat. As I mentioned at the office, there are important matters we need to discuss."
"What matters?" she pressed.
She didn't want to be there, around him; his presence dredged up a flood of memories, both bittersweet and haunting. Yet, she knew she wouldn't be able to leave until she heard him out. Her heart pounded, as she waited for his response.
Matteo's expression grew solemn. "It's about our son."
Olivia's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock. She felt as if the ground had shifted beneath her.
Their son was her best-kept secret, the one thing she had never shared with anyone. His conception was the reason she had chosen a medical school so far away from home.
She had lied to her parents, claiming she had received a scholarship, which they never questioned because earlier that year her father had gotten into an accident at work which left him paralyzed. Only she knew the true source of her funding: Matteo.
She had never laid eyes on her son, insisting that he be taken away as soon as he was born. To her, there was no need to bond with a child she had no intention of raising.
She had fulfilled her part of the bargain, providing Matteo with the heir he desired in exchange for keeping Dwayne safe from the clutches of his gangs and paying her way through medical school.
It was her sacrifice that paved the way for Dwayne's escape into the world of sports and to focus on his studies, ultimately earning him a scholarship to study abroad.
But as Matteo brought up their son now, Olivia couldn't help but wonder why.
Olivia's arms folded across her chest as she confronted Matteo. "Your son. The contract was that I give birth to him and I would never see him again. Why are you bringing him up to me now?"
Her voice carried a mix of defiance and curiosity, though deep down, she knew if Matteo had broached the subject, there was a compelling reason behind it.
"Come sit." Matteo's command left no room for negotiation.
Reluctantly, she moved to sit beside him, her gaze fixed on him.
"Now that you have my attention, please tell me why I'm here. I'd like to go to my house and finish my recovery if, of course, that's okay with you," she stated firmly, her eyes hardening.
"Our son is in desperate need of a kidney transplant," Matteo revealed, "I've been tirelessly searching for a suitable donor match, but so far, we haven't found anyone compatible."
Olivia's blood ran cold. She knew the intricacies of organ transplantation all too well, finding a suitable donor was like searching for a needle in a haystack, a race against time that often ended in heartbreak and disappointment.
She felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach, knowing exactly what Matteo wanted before he even spoke again.
"He's my only heir, and I have to secure the future of my empire. We've already run all the tests while you were unconscious. And you're a compatible kidney donor."
Olivia's hands clenched into fists on her lap. She knew she couldn't afford to fly off the handle, not now. As much as she knew how to push Matteo's buttons, she also understood the gravity of the situation. His empire meant everything to him, and she was just a means to an end.
Biting back her frustration, Olivia forced herself to remain calm. "So, I don't get a say in this?"
"I've told you what you needed to know as a courtesy," Matteo replied coolly. "So you'll know exactly why we'll be taking your kidney. It's for your son, to save his life."
"And what if I refuse?"
She held her breath.
"You have two options," Matteo stated bluntly. "The first is to have the procedure done in a hospital under proper supervision. The second is for us to take your kidney here and now, and leave you to suffer whatever implications that may arise."
"Is this how you care for the people you love?" Olivia's voice trembled with disbelief.
"After the surgery, you will have round-the-clock nurses at your disposal if you agree," Matteo replied, ignoring her question.
After everything she had gone through, she thought it was over, but she had jumped from the fire and into the frying pan. She felt sick to her stomach.
"And what if my other kidney fails? Or what if I die during the surgery, have you thought about that?"
"I have, and it's a small price to pay for saving the heir to my empire." Matteo's gaze narrowed. "So, Olivia, what will it be?"