Chapter 50

Olivia froze at the hospital room's threshold, her fingers tightening around the doorframe.

"Planning to stand there all day?" Ryan Carter's sharp voice cut through her hesitation as he brushed past her into Liam Blackwood's room.

Her cheeks burned as she finally stepped inside, realizing how foolish she must have looked hovering in the doorway. She'd imagined Liam on death's door, not simply exhausted from overwork.

"He collapsed during a board meeting," Ryan explained while adjusting the IV drip with practiced efficiency. His tone was professional, yet Olivia detected genuine concern beneath the clinical words. "His assistant rushed him here immediately."

Ryan shot Liam an exasperated look. "Skipped breakfast, lived on espresso shots, then chose red wine over lunch. What did you expect would happen?"

Olivia's heart clenched at the sight of Liam's ashen complexion. She'd hired personal chefs and nutritionists for their household, yet he still neglected his own wellbeing.

She schooled her features into careful neutrality, giving Ryan a tight nod.

"Mrs. Blackwood," Ryan continued, "since our patient refuses hospital food, perhaps you could bring him something edible? He's notoriously picky."

Liam's glare could have frozen lava. "Have you tasted the slop they serve here?"

"I eat it daily," Ryan countered with a smirk before turning back to Olivia. "Would that be possible?"

Olivia's quick nod belied the turmoil inside her.

Leaving the hospital, Olivia's legs nearly gave way as relief flooded through her. Liam wasn't seriously ill - just pushed himself too hard, as usual.

In the car, she texted Natalie Bennett, explaining Liam's condition and her decision to postpone the divorce discussion. She couldn't possibly bring it up while he was hospitalized, could she? The thought of how Henry Winslow would react if he were still alive made her stomach twist.

The reply took longer than expected. When it came, Olivia could practically hear Natalie's sigh through the screen.

"This isn't your responsibility," Natalie wrote. "If he valued family, if he appreciated all those mornings you woke at dawn to cook for him, maybe he wouldn't be in this situation. Olivia, stop blaming yourself. Whatever you decide is valid. Don't carry this weight alone."

Natalie's unwavering support warmed Olivia's heart. She always knew exactly what to say.

At home, Olivia moved with purpose straight to the kitchen. The culinary team had prepped dinner ingredients, awaiting her instructions. Selecting three recipes from memory, she set to work alongside the professional chefs.

Early in their marriage, Liam had claimed to love her cooking. If his tastes had changed, the chefs' dishes would suffice.

Within the hour, Olivia packed the carefully prepared meals into insulated containers and returned to the hospital.

But as she approached Liam's room, she collided with Evelyn Hartley.

Their eyes locked in silent battle before Evelyn deliberately shouldered past her into the room.

"Liam darling," Evelyn cooed, placing an elaborate takeout bag on the bedside table. "I brought dinner from Le Ciel. Sebastian opened the kitchen early just for you." She shot Olivia a triumphant look. "Professional cuisine beats amateur efforts any day."

Evelyn produced a box of exotic fruits with a flourish. "Fresh from Thailand this morning."

Olivia stood frozen in the doorway, the homemade meal suddenly feeling inadequate in her hands.

All her careful preparation seemed foolish compared to Evelyn's effortless extravagance. One phone call had secured what Olivia had labored over for hours.

"What's that chemical stench?" Ryan's voice cut through the tension as he entered with medical supplies.

He wrinkled his nose at Evelyn's takeout. "How many artificial additives did they pump into this? Trying to poison my patient?"

Evelyn's smile faltered. "Liam loves this restaurant—"

Ryan wasn't finished. "And that perfume! We should post signs: 'Fragrance-Free Zone - No Pollution Allowed!'" He waved a hand dramatically. "Take this chemical warfare elsewhere, please."

Evelyn turned pleading eyes to Liam, who remained impassive. "Do as the doctor says."

"Exactly," Ryan agreed, adjusting Liam's IV with unnecessary force. "Oops! Needle's in your dominant hand now. Guess you'll need help eating."

Liam's icy stare could have shattered glass. "Oops?"

"Long shift," Ryan said unrepentantly before turning to Olivia. "Since you're here, Mrs. Blackwood, perhaps you could assist your husband? My hands are tied now."

Feed Liam? Olivia's cheeks burned as the implication sank in. The thought of sitting so close, of feeding him bite by bite...

Her pulse hammered in her throat.