Chapter 10

“Crisis? What do you mean by crisis? She was pretty okay the last time I saw her,” Caspian stated, his brows creasing as he plunged his hands into his pockets, seeking a more detailed explanation for Sandra's words.

She paused, biting her lower lip as she wasn't sure if what she was about to do was right. She didn't want to cause more harm than good. She didn't want to put Julia in trouble, so she was hesitant.

Sandra felt the need to protect Julia.

“I asked you a question, Sandra. What crisis?” Caspian pressed, walking closer to her. He knew she had been divorced by Logan Steele, his rival, but he didn't know there was more to what Julia was going through.

Her fists clenched as she summoned up the courage to speak to Caspian, trying her best to avoid making eye contact with him. “She's at the hospital with her son…”

“Her son?” Caspian asked for more details.

“Well, the thing is, Julia just divorced Logan Steele, and her son happens to be someone else's. Julia isn't aware of who it was she had an affair with yet, but she's hellbent on saving her son. She went to the HR department to get half of her pay but got thrown out,” Sandra explained, her expression turning sad.

Caspian, on the other hand, couldn't believe what he had just heard from Sandra. The HR department had refused to give her half of her pay, even when they knew she was about to lose her son? He thought to himself.

‘So that's why she wouldn't accept me. Most people might think she's milking me for my money, while others might see her as a slut,’ Caspian said inwardly, his fists clenching angrily in his pockets.

He was certain that Logan was the root of all her problems. Without a word to Sandra, he walked away. She was shocked but couldn't chase after him.

The second he got into his office, he grabbed his phone, preparing to make a call when the door opened.

“And where are we headed, Mr. Caspian?” Dominic asked, looking confused as he entered the office.

“Take me to the hospital, now!” Caspian commanded, but Dominic couldn't understand him yet.

“The hospital? Are you okay? The last time we went there, you…”

"No more questions, Dominic. Just take me to the hospital as I commanded!" Caspian snapped, his voice firm and edged with urgency.

Without waiting for a response, he stormed out of his office, his long strides making it clear he was in no mood for delays.

Dominic hurried to keep up, his footsteps echoing slightly behind Caspian's as they made their way toward the company's main exit.

The elevator ride down was tense and silent, with Caspian staring straight ahead, lost in his thoughts.

The moment the doors slid open on the ground floor, Caspian charged out, his mind focused solely on getting to the hospital.

But just as they were about to pass the HR department, Caspian abruptly stopped in his tracks.

His eyes darted toward the department's glass walls, his expression unreadable as Sandra’s earlier words suddenly replayed in his mind.

Dominic, taken aback by the sudden halt, frowned and stepped closer, concern evident in his voice.

"Are you okay, sir? Did you forget something?" he asked cautiously, his gaze flickering between Caspian and the HR department, trying to understand what had caused his boss to stop so suddenly.

"The HR department—who’s in charge?" Caspian asked, his voice cold and sharp, as he fixed a piercing glare on Dominic.

There was something unsettling in Caspian's behaviour, something that made Dominic’s stomach churn with unease.

It wasn’t just the tone of his voice; it was the intensity in his eyes, the way they seemed to burn with a quiet, controlled fury.

Dominic hesitated, feeling the weight of Caspian’s gaze. "I... I think it’s Mrs. Becker or maybe Janna?" he stammered, unsure of himself.

But it was clear that his uncertainty didn’t matter to Caspian at this moment.

Caspian’s jaw tightened, his decision resolute. "Whoever it is, fire them before dusk," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"Find someone more suitable for the position. Is that clear?"

Dominic swallowed hard, knowing that opposing Caspian now would be nothing short of career suicide.

The look in Caspian’s eyes told him that saying no was not an option, unless he was ready to start a war—one he was sure he would lose.

"Yes, sir," Dominic replied quietly, already making a mental note of what needed to be done.

Without another word, Caspian turned on his heels, his coat flaring slightly with the motion, and marched toward the sleek, black car waiting outside the company.

Dominic hurried to catch up, opening the door for Caspian before slipping into the driver’s seat himself.

He could feel the tension radiating off Caspian as he settled into the passenger seat, his mind clearly elsewhere.

Dominic didn’t waste a second, turning the key in the ignition and pulling away from the curb. The car sped off, the engine’s low growl the only sound filling the silence between them.

They raced through the city streets, the buildings and lights blurring past, but Dominic kept his focus on the road ahead, aware that any delay could worsen Caspian’s already foul mood.

The ride felt long, the silence in the car heavy with uncontrollable thoughts. But after what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the hospital.

The car screeched to a halt at the entrance, and Dominic’s hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly as if bracing himself for what was to come.

"We're here, Caspian," Dominic announced as he stepped out of the car, moving quickly around to the passenger side to open the door for his boss.

Caspian didn’t waste a moment. The instant his feet hit the pavement, he strode purposefully into the hospital, his gaze sharp and focused as it swept across the bustling lobby.

His heart pounded with a mix of urgency and anticipation; he needed to find Julia, to make sure she was okay.

The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils as he moved through the hospital, his eyes darting from one face to another, searching for the one person who suddenly and weirdly mattered to him.

He pushed past nurses and doctors, barely noticing the flurry of activity around him. His mind was solely on Julia, and nothing else seemed to matter.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a door slightly ajar down the hallway. Through the narrow gap, he could make out a small figure inside the room. Caspian slowed his pace, squinting as he tried to see more clearly.

His breath caught in his throat when he realised who it was. "Liam?" he whispered to himself, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Seeing the little boy brought a sudden rush of warmth to his chest, a feeling so unexpected that it momentarily halted his steps.

As if sensing his presence, Liam turned his head toward the door. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Then, with a delighted shout, Liam rushed to the door, flinging it open wide and racing out to meet Caspian.

“Daddy! Have you come to see me?” Liam exclaimed as he threw his small arms around Caspian’s waist, hugging him tightly.

Caspian's heart swelled with a happiness he hadn’t expected, the warmth of the boy’s embrace making him feel a connection so deep it almost startled him.

He couldn’t understand why he felt this way—why he felt so bonded to both Liam and Julia. There was something about them that tugged at him, but he couldn’t quite place what it was.

“I’m so happy you're here,” Liam giggled, his eyes sparkling with joy as he looked up at Caspian.

After a moment, he pulled away, but his small hand remained in Caspian's, as if he was afraid to let go.

Caspian smiled down at him, his voice light with genuine cheer. “You’ve recovered so well… I guess that means you’ll be leaving the hospital soon,” he said, trying to keep the mood uplifting.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed a flicker of sadness in Liam’s eyes, a shadow that passed over his cheerful expression.

Liam’s smile faded slightly, and he looked down at the floor, his small shoulders drooping. “I wish I could,” he mumbled softly, almost to himself.

“But my mommy doesn’t have a husband to go back to.”

The words hung in the air, striking Caspian like a bolt of lightning.

His mind raced, the pieces of the puzzle suddenly snapping together. ‘Is he... Julia’s son? It can’t be, right?’ Caspian thought, his breath catching in his throat.

The thought seemed impossible, yet something deep inside him whispered that it might be true.