1,2,3 And.. Love! (GXG)

Chapter 34

Olivia's POV

The steady rhythm of the heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence in the dimly lit room. I sat beside Elijah's hospital bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, the cool metal of my wedding ring pressing into my skin. His face was so peaceful, almost as if he were simply sleeping and not tethered to machines, keeping him stable.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my gaze locked on his face. He looked so much like the man I married—strong, confident, reassuring. But now, he was still unmoving, and I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for a sign of life, something to assure me that he was still here.

"You always know what to say," I whispered, my voice trembling. "Even when I'm a mess, you pull me together. I need you to do that now, Elijah. Please."

The lump in my throat grew, but I swallowed it down, forcing myself to stay composed. I couldn't break, not here, not now. But deep down, the cracks were already forming, spreading like spiderwebs through the mask I had been wearing for so long.

The sound of the door opening startled me, and I quickly wiped at my eyes before glancing back. Ava stood in the doorway, her expression softer than usual, the sharpness in her eyes replaced with something I couldn't quite place. Pity, maybe? Or concern?

"You've been here all day," she said quietly, stepping inside. "You need a break, Olivia."

I shook my head. "I can't leave him. Not like this." My voice was steadier than I expected, though my hands betrayed me, trembling slightly as I clenched them tighter.

Ava sighed and pulled up a chair beside me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. She just sat there, her presence strangely comforting in the stillness of the room.

"You know," she began after a while, her voice unusually gentle, "when I first met you, I thought you had everything. The career, the marriage, the perfect life." She paused, glancing at Elijah before turning back to me. "But now... I'm not so sure."

Her words cut deeper than I expected. I looked away, my eyes finding Elijah again. "I don't want your pity, Ava," I said, my tone sharper than I intended.

"It's not pity," she replied softly. "It's... understanding."

I blinked, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice. Ava was always so composed, so guarded. But now, she looked at me like she could see every crack, every flaw I worked so hard to hide.

"You love him," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "But you're not happy, are you?"

My breath hitched, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. The truth of her words hung in the air between us, heavy and undeniable.

"I don't know what I am anymore," I admitted finally, my voice barely audible.

Ava reached out and placed her hand over mine, her grip firm but comforting. "Whatever you're feeling, Olivia, you don't have to go through it alone."

Ava's hand remained on mine, her warmth grounding me in a way I didn't expect. For a fleeting moment, I felt like I could let go of the mask I'd been wearing for years. But as the silence stretched between us, a nagging thought pushed its way to the surface, shattering the fragile calm.

I pulled my hand back and straightened in my chair, my voice low but firm. "Ava, I need to ask you something."

She tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting together in confusion. "What is it?"

I hesitated, studying her face for any hint of deceit. Ava had always been a pillar in my career—blunt, calculating, and fiercely protective. But this... this had been eating at me since the whispers started.