chapter38

Lydia barely had a second to think about dinner.

Cameron and Kylie looked at each other, both anxious. Their precious daughter was still upset, and they had no idea what to do.

"Honey, we can't wait three days," Kylie said, worry creasing her brow. "The plane will be here tomorrow morning, but those hundred custom bags are taking forever. Can you push the brand again?"

Of course, I'll call them now, Cameron replied, already reaching for his phone. Ethan sent Lydia a message. [Lydia, the SVIP client is asking for an update. Again.] Lydia just stared at her phone for a second, then sighed.

By nine that night, she was finally done. She'd finished all one hundred bag designs, ten hours straight, barely stopping to breathe. The production line would run overnight so everything could be delivered in the morning.

While Lydia was buried in her work, Lucinda was busy too. She called in every favor she could, spent way too much money, and finally got the exact details of Connor's hospital room. She didn't let the Norwood family know, especially not Cameron or Kylie. Lately, all they cared about was Lydia. Even her own fianc was supposed to be handed over to Lydia now. Why should she accept that?

Maybe she wasn't their biological daughter, but Connor was into her. She had to find a way to see him and tell him how she really felt. As long as Connor didn't fall for Lydia, it wouldn't matter even if Lydia married someone from the Jefferson family. Lucinda could still marry Connor, and maybe even end up as Lydia's sister-in-law.

At five in the afternoon, she showed up at the military hospital with a thermos of soup Grace had made. But as soon as she reached the front gate, she hit a wall. No pass, no entry.

This wasn't a regular hospital. Only people with clearance could get in, and the checks were strict. Lucinda's status as the daughter of the richest man in the city meant nothing here. If she didn't have the right paperwork, or someone inside to come get her, she was stuck outside.

She'd never felt this helpless before. In one day, it was like she'd gone from being a princess to someone completely powerless. The shock of it almost brought her to tears.

Grace stood beside her, still holding the thermos, trying to be reassuring. Miss Lucinda, maybe we should head home and come back another time?"

Lucinda shook her head, stubbornly. "No, Grace. I'm not leaving. I have to see Connor today."

She didn't have his private number, but last year, during a family dinner, she'd managed to add him on a messaging app. She messaged him every now and then, though he never replied. Taking a deep breath, she tried calling him, hoping he'd pick up and tell the guards to let her in, but her call went unanswered.

Instead, she sent a message. [Connor, it's Lucinda. I heard from Grandpa Samuel that you were hurt, so I made some soup for you and came to visit. Could you let the guards know so I can come in?]

No reply.

She typed again. [Connor, I'm waiting at the gate. I'll stay until I hear from you.]

She waited. Minutes dragged into hours, and before she knew it, it was nine at night. Still nothing from Connor. Her messages just disappeared into the void.

"Grace, maybe he really is hurt and doesn't have his phone with him. That's why he hasn't seen my messages, right?" Lucinda's voice trembled, her eyes shiny with tears.

Grace nodded quickly. "Of course, Miss Lucinda. You're beautiful and amazing. Connor is definitely into you. He's just injured right now and probably can't check his phone."