Page 100 of The Broken Keys

“No, I’m clarifying the situation.” I don’t break eye contact with Dr. Smith. “Livianna Hemings is my girlfriend. I’m the one who should be updated on her condition. I’m the one who needs to be in that room when she wakes up.”

“This is bullshit.” Cash points to the ICU. “You don’t get to use your money and your connections to push your way into her room.”

“And you don’t get to use her medical condition to claim a relationship that ended five years ago.” My muscles grow tense. “She asked for you because she’s disoriented. When she’s coherent, she’ll want me.”

Cash growls. “You don’t know that.”

“I know she told me she loved me yesterday, and she was on her way to meet me when this happened. She was carrying my child.” The last words come out strained. “So yes, Cash, I know.”

The silence that follows is thick enough to suffocate all of us. Dr. Smith shifts uncomfortably, clearly trying to figure out how to navigate this disaster without losing his job.

“Mr. Crowne, I understand this is a difficult situation for both of you.” The doctor’s tone is careful. “But hospital policy states that we follow the patient’s expressed wishes when they’re conscious.”

I’m not about to give up, so I push more. “She has a severe concussion. She doesn’t know what she wants.”

“That may be true, but I can’t make that determination without further evaluation.” He waits a beat, then sighs. “However, given the complexity of the situation and yourrelationship with Dr. Pembrook, I’m willing to allow you both in to see her. But if she becomes agitated or distressed, you’ll both need to leave immediately.”

Cash’s shoulders tense. “Fine.”

“Agreed.” I straighten my jacket, forcing my hands to stop shaking.

“Follow me.” The doctor gestures toward the ICU area. “And gentlemen? Whatever issues you have with each other, leave them outside her room. My patient’s well-being is my only priority.”

We follow him through the doors, two men walking toward the same destination with completely different expectations of what we’ll find when we get there.

The hallway stretches ahead, sterile and cold. Each step feels heavier than the last. Somewhere in one of these rooms, Livianna is waking up from one of the worst days of her life.

And she asked for Cash. Why?

The question sits in my chest like a stone. Maybe she does know what she wants. Maybe in her most vulnerable moment, when everything else had been stripped away, she chose him.

“She’s in here.” Dr. Smith stops outside her room. “But I’ve changed my mind about who can go in right now.”

Chapter Twenty-One

CALLUM/CASH

Now

Warped Whiplash & The Phantom Behind the Curtain

Some moments change history without permission.

Dr. Smith stops us at the threshold of her room. His hand rests on the door frame like he’s guarding the entrance to something sacred and fragile.

“There’s a privacy drape around Ms. Hemings’ bed.” He keeps his voice low and clinical. “Given her request for Callum and the severity of her head trauma, I think it’s best if he goes in first.”

Jaxon’s jaw tightens. “And where exactly am I supposed to be?”

“Near the door, but out of her line of sight.” Dr. Smith’s tone leaves no room for negotiation. “For her health, I need to ensure she doesn’t become agitated. If she shows any signs of distress, you’ll both need to leave.”

“This is ridiculous.” Jaxon squares his shoulders. “I’m her partner.”

“Then you should put her well-being above your own needs. And right now, she’s asking for someone else.” The doctor’s gaze shifts to me. “Callum, are you ready?”

A lump forms in my throat. Ready?

How the hell am I supposed to be ready for this? The woman I’ve loved since I was a kid just lost Jaxon’s baby and she’s asking for me instead of him.