Chapter 73

ALISHA'S POV

“Are you sure this will work?” I whispered, glancing nervously at the two women standing in the hospital ward with me.

Their crisp white uniforms and confident expressions should have reassured me, but my hands still trembled.

“Yes, Alisha,” one of them replied, adjusting her nurse’s cap. “Nadia’s plan is foolproof. Trust us. Just stick to the script.”

“But what if he doesn’t come back in?” I asked, my voice barely audible. The seconds stretched into minutes as we waited for Richard to return to the ward. I’d been sitting here long enough to know he wasn’t coming.

“If he doesn’t come back,” the taller one said with a knowing smirk, “that’s when you make your move. You run out, and we’ll follow. We’ll act like we’re trying to stop you, but we’ll let you reach him. Once you do, we’ll say whatever it takes to convince him.”

The other nurse nodded. “Remember, the goal is to make him take you with him. The rest is up to you.”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

My legs wobbled slightly as I stood, the bandages on my arms feeling heavier than they should. I took a deep breath, preparing myself. “Just don’t blow this,” I warned them.

I stood up for some moments as I breathed in and out, as I stretched out my arm. And then…Without another word, I bolted out of the ward, ignoring the dull ache in my limbs.

My heart kept beating faster in my chest as I ran down the corridor, the hospital’s sterile walls blurring around me.

When I turned a corner, I saw him. Richard stood near the entrance, his phone pressed to his ear, his broad shoulders tense.

Damn…he is looking so tall and cute at the same time, and as I kept running I wondered how a young man could be so handsome and still a young multimillionaire.

But then I remember that I was on a mission, a mission to destroy and not to fall in love or even admire.

“Mr…Mr!” I called out, my voice shaking with desperation.

He looked up, startled, his piercing eyes locking onto mine.

Behind me, the nurses began their act, shouting after me. “Miss! Stop! You can’t leave!” the nurse shouted as they sounded too serious and real even without being told no one would know that all of this was acting.

I ignored them and ran straight to Richard, grabbing his jacket with trembling hands. “Please, don’t let them take me back,” I cried, tears streaming down my face. “I can’t stay there!”

He stared at me, his face a mix of confusion and concern. “What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be resting!”

The nurses caught up, panting as they addressed Richard.

“We’re so sorry, sir,” one of them said, feigning breathlessness.

“She’s been refusing treatment and has gotten away from us. We’ve been trying to calm her down.”

Richard’s expression darkened. “Then why is she out here? Isn’t it your job to keep her in the hospital?”

The second nurse stepped forward, her tone firm but empathetic. “Patients like her recover faster when they feel they’re in control. She needs to be with someone she trusts, and right now, that’s you.”

“This is ridiculous,” Richard muttered, rubbing his temples. “You’re telling me to take her home? That’s not my responsibility!”

“Please,” I whispered, clinging to his jacket like my life depended on it. “Don’t leave me here. I’ll do whatever you say, just don’t let them take me back.”

The nurses exchanged a glance, then one of them said, “It’s your choice, Mr. Garrison. But if she stays here against her will, the trauma could worsen, and her memory might never return.”

I could tell from the facial look of Richard that he believed everything the nurses were telling him but I wasn't sure if his decision was going to agree or not.

He let out a sharp breath, clearly frustrated. “This is insane,” he muttered under his breath.

For a moment, I thought he might refuse. He stood there, silent, his jaw clenched as he weighed his options. Finally, he sighed and said, “Fine. She can come with me. But this is temporary.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, relief washing over me.

The nurses handed him a small packet of medications. “The dosage is written on the paper inside,” one of them explained. “Make sure she takes them as prescribed.”

Richard nodded curtly, then turned to me. “Let’s go.”

I followed him out of the hospital, my heart racing. This was it the plan was in motion. As we approached his sleek black car, his phone rang again. He pulled it out of his pocket, glancing at the screen.

“Mom,” he said, answering the call. His tone softened instantly, the irritation from earlier replaced with something warmer.

I climbed into the passenger seat as he opened the door for me, my ears straining to catch his words.

“Yes, Mom,” he continued, closing the door and walking around to the driver’s side. “I’m listening. What’s the good news?”

I adjusted my seatbelt, pretending to be focused on my surroundings, but my attention was fixed on his conversation.

“No, I can’t guess,” he said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. “Just tell me already.”

There was a pause, and his expression shifted. He leaned against the car, one hand gripping the door. “Wait… are you serious? This is really great news so when is the date for my wedding?”

My breath caught. Wedding? My mind raced, trying to make sense of his words.

Wedding? Is he talking about his and Tammy's wedding? Or were they saying something else.

I tried my best to understand and place his words but it still didn't work because he didn't say 'My wedding' what he said was…is the date of the wedding fixed?

The thought sent a chill down my spine. I stared at him, trying to read his face, but he was already engrossed in the conversation.