Chapter 51.Nicholas walked down the street, the designer bags clutched in his hands with a smile tugging at his lips.For the first time in as long as he could remember, his heart felt full.Not heavy and not weighed down.Just Full.He looked down at the bags, the sleek packaging catching the light.A platinum chain. A designer handbag.Gifts.Real gifts.The first things he'd ever been able to give Rebecca that were actually worth something.Not hand-me-downs. Not secondhand finds from thrift stores.Something new. Something expensive. Something she deserved.Nicholas's smile widened.She was going to love them.But then another thought pushed through.Rebecca was getting the surgery tomorrow.And after that, she'd need somewhere to recover.Somewhere safe. Somewhere comfortable.The hospital would discharge her eventually, and she couldn't go back to…Nicholas stopped walking.She had nowhere to go.His hostel room was too small, too cramped, too public.She needed privacy. Space.

Nicholas turned around slowly, his eyes still locked on Agnes.He crossed the waiting room, his footsteps measured, his mind racing.When he reached her, he stopped, keeping his voice low."What are you doing here?" he asked.Agnes's expression didn't shift. "Looking for you.""How did you even know where I was?"Agnes tilted her head slightly. "I'm your lawyer, Nicholas. It's my job to know where my clients are. Especially when they go dark for days."Nicholas's jaw tightened. "I've been busy.""Busy," Agnes repeated, her tone clipped. "Several people are trying to find Mr. K. Did you know that?"Nicholas's chest tightened."People have been asking questions," Agnes continued."Making inquiries. And you haven't contacted me in days. No calls. No messages. Nothing.""I told you, I've been…”"Busy," Agnes finished. "Yes, you said that. But when my client disappears and people start sniffing around, I get worried. I thought something might have happened to you."Nicholas exhaled slowly.

Chapter 55.The day after surgery moved slowly.Way Too slowly for Nicholas's troubled mind. He sat beside Rebecca's bed in the recovery room, his chair pulled close while his eyes remained fixed on her face.She was awake now, but barely.Her eyes opened and closed in slow intervals, her breathing shallow but steady.The oxygen mask was gone, replaced with a nasal cannula that hissed softly.Nicholas reached out, his hand resting gently on hers."Hey," he said quietly.Rebecca's eyes fluttered open, shifting toward him.Her lips moved slightly, but no sound came out."Don't try to talk," Nicholas said quickly. "Just rest."Rebecca's fingers twitched under his, a weak attempt at a squeeze.Nicholas smiled faintly, his throat tight.A nurse came in a few minutes later, checking Rebecca's vitals, adjusting the IV."She's doing well," the nurse said, glancing at Nicholas. "Better than expected, actually."Nicholas nodded, relief flooding through him. "That's good.""She'll need help wi

Chapter 57.The woman's eyes raked over Nicholas, taking in his wrinkled shirt, his worn jeans and his scuffed shoes.Her lip curled into a wicked smile. "Look at you," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You look like you can barely afford to eat, let alone buy pizza."Nicholas's jaw clenched. "What does that have to do with anything?""It has everything to do with it," the woman snapped at him. "People like you…" she gestured vaguely at him, "...are always looking for an easy score."Nicholas's chest tightened, heat rising in his face. "I didn't take your wallet.""Then prove it," the woman said, stepping closer. "Empty your pockets.""No," Nicholas said firmly.The woman's eyes widened. "No?""I'm not guilty," Nicholas said, his voice low and controlled. "I'm not going to let you search me like some criminal just because you lost track of your wallet."The woman's face flushed red. "You're refusing because you're hiding something.""I'm refusing because I have rights," N