Chapter 16
The gavel came down. Olivia broke down completely.
Nathan swayed where he stood at the defense table, and a court officer had to steady him.
He looked at his sister as tears slid down his pale face. "Sis... I'm out."
Olivia rushed over and hugged her brother across the barrier.
Three long years.
Every month, she had visited him in prison, watching him grow thinner behind the glass, hearing him say, "Sis, I'm fine," while her heart broke a little more each time.
Now he was finally free.
Outside the courthouse, Alex was waiting by the car. When Nathan walked out, the sunlight was so bright he had to squint. Then he saw Alex.
The two men looked at each other for a few seconds.
Nathan spoke first. "Alex."
Alex walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "All that matters is you're out. Get in. I'm taking you somewhere."
The car stopped in front of a private hospital. Olivia looked at Alex in confusion. "Why are we at a hospital?"
"Nathan needs a full checkup for the injuries he got in prison. And..."
Alex paused. "The three ribs that were broken healed badly. I already booked the best orthopedic specialist around to do a full new evaluation and treatment plan."
Olivia's throat tightened.
Nathan lowered his head, his voice muffled. "Alex, I owe you way too much."
Alex pulled open the hospital door. "You don't owe me anything. I'm the one who owes you and your sister.
"Charles was after me. You two got dragged into this because of me."
Nathan's head jerked up. "Alex, that's not..."
"Enough," Alex cut him off. "Go get checked. Your sister has cried enough over your case these last three years. From now on, both of you are going to be okay."
The examinations lasted two hours.
The specialists' conclusion was this: Nathan needed corrective surgery on his ribs, and the rest of his body showed multiple old injuries that would require a full rehab program.
Alex handled the admission paperwork on the spot and booked the highest-level VIP room.
Olivia stood by the hospital room door, watching her brother lie in bed with an IV in his arm. Alex walked over to her side. "The surgery is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Recovery will take about three months."
Olivia turned and buried her face in his chest. "Alex..."
"Yeah?"
"I don't even know how to repay you."
Alex laid a hand on the back of her head and gently rubbed her hair. "Then pay me back slowly. Spend a lifetime doing it."
At the far end of the hallway, the sound of high heels came closer. Olivia lifted her head and saw someone she hadn't expected at all.
Mrs. Walker.
She wore a simple beige suit and carried an insulated food jar in her hand. Stopping about ten feet away, she looked awkward and uneasy. "Ms. Hill."
Olivia straightened up.
Mrs. Walker walked over and held out the container to her. "I made some bone broth for Nathan. He got out. He needs something nourishing."
Olivia didn't take it.
Mrs. Walker's hand froze in midair, and the awkwardness on her face turned into clear embarrassment.
After a long moment, she spoke, her voice strained. "Ms. Hill, I know I have no right to stand here. What your brother suffered, what you suffered, I was part of it.
"I didn't come today to ask for your forgiveness. I don't have the right."
She set the container down on the chair beside her. "I wanted to tell you this.
"Starting today, the Walker family will do everything in our power to make it up to you and your brother. Not with money. With actions."
She raised her head, her eyes turning red. "I've owed you an apology for five years. Today I'm finally giving it.
"Olivia, I'm sorry."
With that, she bowed deeply.
Olivia looked at her.
Five years ago, this woman had sat in a private club, thrown a file in front of her, and destroyed her love with elegant cruelty.
Five years later, that same woman stood in a hospital hallway holding a soup container and apologizing with her head bowed.
Olivia's eyes burned hot.
She reached out and helped Mrs. Walker back up.