Chapter 4

Ellie’s P.O.V.

I didn’t sleep that night.

The guestroom was too quiet, too unfamiliar. And every time I closed my eyes, I saw Zack. That calm, piercing gaze. That voice.

There was something so mysterious about his personality that I couldn't ignore him at all.

I turned on my side, pressing my face into the pillow, forcing myself to think about someone else.

My husband!

Mr. Zackary Walton!

That name lingered in my mind. It was the only thing I knew about him.

No face. No picture.

Just a signature on papers that had changed my life overnight.

Zackary... and Zack.

Those names were too similar. But in business families, it wasn’t unusual. Like my ex-fiancé's name was Jared Walton Junior.

Such random thoughts lingered longer than they should have, a fragile attempt to process everything. By the time the first light filtered through the curtains, I gave up trying to sleep and sat up, sighing.

“If my husband is in the hospital, I should meet him.”

That decision settled something deep inside my chest.

Thankfully, the servants brought my luggage last night. I got ready and stepped out of my room, the long corridors empty as usual.

As I reached the first floor, a warm greeting caught me off guard.

“Good morning, madam.”

That old maid from last night stood a few steps away, her lips stretched in a friendly smile.

“My name is Lilly. I am the head maid here.”

Well, that was new.

I replied. “I am Ellie.”

“You must be hungry.” Lilly spoke politely. “Breakfast is ready.”

I followed her into the dining room, which was just as grand as the rest of the house. A long table was set for breakfast, the aroma of freshly baked bread and eggs lingering in the air.

I hesitated a second before settling down.

Lilly asked. “Coffee or tea, madam?”

“Tea.”

She nodded once and reached for the teapot…

“Tea on an empty stomach?”

A deep voice cut through the room.

“You must be planning to go to the ER.”

Zack stood at the entrance of the dining room, dressed in a blue tailored suit that fit him perfectly.

His gaze was focused more on the phone than on anything else around him.

He walked in like he owned the room.

“Lilly!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Breakfast!”

His tone was effortless yet absolute as he added, finally lifting his gaze to glance in my direction.

“In this house, we eat real food. Not just tea.”

Something in my chest tightened.

Food!

Of all things!

“I like tea for breakfast.” I said evenly. “It’s a personal preference.”

No response.

Zack sat across from me, scrolling through his phone like I was talking to the walls.

And Lilly…

She obeyed him. Eggs, bacon, and bread slices were neatly arranged on my plate in seconds. Another maid began pouring milk into the glass beside the plate.

As the faint sound of liquid hitting the glass in the silence echoed in the surroundings, my patience snapped.

“I asked for tea.” I spoke loudly. “Is that too much?”

The maid froze.

Zack’s thumb stopped moving. Slowly, he looked up.

“You are making a scene over tea?”

“I asked for something simple,” I replied, keeping my voice steady this time. “I don’t know why it seems to be a problem.”

Zack placed his phone down on the table and leaned back in his chair, his gaze studying me.

“As you are living here now, you have to follow the rules.”

He said calmly.

“Rule number one. Eat your breakfast.”

Annoyance flared inside me instantly.

“I am not hungry for breakfast. Isn’t that enough?”

“No.”

The answer came without hesitation.

“You don’t get to decide anything here.”

Something inside me snapped at that.

“It’s my breakfast.” I shot back. “I can decide what I eat.”

Zack just looked at me for a long moment, his gaze lingering. And for some unknown reason, it made my chest tight with confusion.

“Lilly,” he said, without looking away from me.

“Yes, sir.”

“Leave.”

Lilly obeyed and walked out of the dining area with the other maids.

Zack reached for the teapot, and despite myself, my eyes followed his movements. He poured tea into the cup before me, his gaze piercing into my soul.

“You are here to take care of your husband. Fainting or starving won’t cut it.”

He said firmly. “You need to stay functional.”

I balled my fists. “I know why I am here. And how I handle it is none of your business.”

Zack pushed the cup slightly closer, his gaze never leaving mine.

“It is my business.” He added after a pause. “Dad is in the hospital. You have to stay alive until his return.”

Unbelievable!

I pressed my lips together, swallowing my bitter response.

It wasn’t worth it!

I picked up the cup and took a sip, the warmth of tea grounding my thoughts.

“I would like to visit him.”

I said after a moment, my voice calm now. “Please give me the details of his stay.”

Zack straightened, but his expressions remained unreadable. He picked up a slice of bread, spreading butter over it with slow precision.

“The driver will take you.” He said at last. “Visiting hours start at twelve.”

“Thank you.”

And just like that, the conversation ended.

The rest of the breakfast passed in silence. At some point, he placed a buttered piece of bread onto my plate. I didn’t protest and just ate it quietly.

After all, I was hungry...

...

By eleven, I was already on my way.

The drive felt completely different in daylight. The same road that had seemed dark and endless last night now looked peaceful. Tall, luscious green trees lined up the path, beautiful flowers adding color along the edges.

I leaned slightly towards the window and inhaled deeply, the freshness of clean air rejuvenating my mood.

“It's a really peaceful environment for healing.”

Mr. Charles was already waiting for me when I arrived at the hospital.

“Mrs. Walton,” he greeted politely. “I was informed you wish to see Mr. Walton.”

So, Zack had called!

I didn’t comment on it and followed Mr. Charles as he guided me to the third floor. The corridor led to the VIP section for wealthy patients.

“This is Mr. Walton’s room.”

Mr. Charles stopped before room 244 and knocked on the door. He waited for a second before opening it.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, ready to meet my husband.

My curious gaze scanned the room in a second, finally landing on the hospital bed.

However, it was empty.

The bed was neatly arranged, the surroundings spotless, but there was no one in the room.

I turned and looked at Mr. Charles, who appeared totally clueless.

He stepped back into the hallway and stopped the nurse.

“Where is our patient?”

The nurse checked her tablet briefly.

“He’s been taken for scans.”

“Thank you.”

He turned to me and spoke apologetically.

“I am sorry. The doctors handle the schedule here.”

“It’s fine.” I said simply, my heart racing. “I will wait.

The MRI unit was on the second floor. Mr. Charles guided me there but excused himself for a call.

So, I sat alone in the waiting area and watched people for a while, life moving in a clear pattern.

My gaze drifted across the corridor and then froze when I spotted Jared along with Alice, walking side by side.

My breath caught.

“What are they doing here?”

They didn’t see me and turned to another corridor. And before I could even register, I was already up and following them, my steps hurried.

They stopped to see a doctor near the examination room. Alice handed her a file as Jared spoke seriously.

“We can’t afford any mistakes.”

The doctor checked the file and nodded.

“Everything will proceed as we discussed in the last visit.”

Alice spoke next, but her voice was almost a whisper, so I couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation.

I knew I shouldn’t have stayed here, but curiosity got the best of me. I slipped beside the medicine shelf, leaning forward just enough to read the title on the file.

“Patient: Alice Walton.

Attending physician: Dr. Izzie Shepherd (OBGYN).”