The sterile, white hospital room was filled with the soft hum of machines, and there was a sculpture-like figure lying on the bed. Tubes and wires were attached to the patient, monitoring his vital signs for any improvements.
His personal doctor and close friend, Ryan Turner, had worked swiftly to stabilize him by putting him in a medically induced coma.
After what felt like an eternity, Sebastian Woods began to regain consciousness.
Jamie, his dedicated assistant, had been keeping watch by his side. Right now, he was going through some work documents, but his eyes occasionally strayed to the man's still form.
Then, suddenly, there was a twitch of movement. Jamie's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned forward, his voice soft and full of relief.
"Sir… you're finally awake."
Sebastian's eyelids fluttered, and he blinked several times, trying to focus on his surroundings. His voice was hoarse as he spoke.
"How long have I been out?"
Jamie checked his wristwatch before answering. "A full three days, 2 hours, and 49 seconds, sir. You were in a coma."
Sebastian's brow furrowed, and a look of annoyance crossed his face. "Three days?"
His expression grew darker as he recalled what landed him here in the first place. But then, this was how he'd been living for the past seven years. He had been rushed to the ICU countless times for this exact reason. Most times even longer than three days.
However, what annoyed him the most about his regular stints in the hospital was the fact that he always missed several days of work.
As the CEO of Woods Corporation, he took his role incredibly seriously, and any time away felt like a disruption he couldn't afford. He hated the idea of being sidelined, even if it was for medical reasons.
Sebastian's gaze started roaming the room, taking in the familiar sights and sounds. His eyes seemed to be searching for something. Right now, his priorities shifted from work to the woman he couldn't get out of his mind. The woman who, despite their complicated marriage, held a special space in his thoughts that he couldn't ignore. She tormented even his dreams when he laud unconscious.
"My wife… Where's my wife?"
"Uhmm... Your wife? Sir?" Jamie's voice wavered in surprise.
"Yes. Why isn't she here?" Sebastian demanded while sitting up powerfully in a swift motion.
It was as if he hadn't been lying almost lifeless a minute ago.
Jamie started to scratch his head, shifting uncomfortably, not knowing what to say or do. It was a flash marriage, and they barely even knew each other. That's why he didn't think to inform her about Sebastian being hospitalized.
Who would have thought his stony-ass boss would look for her as soon as he woke up?
"Is your tongue tied?" Sebastian let out an angry snort.
He started pulling off all the tubes and wires connected to his body as if they were mere annoyances. His movements were surprisingly agile. As always, he exuded too much strength that was unlike someone who just had a health scare.
The man was simply unfazed.
"President Woods, you really shouldn't–" Jamie protested with concern. "Sir, you need to be careful. You've just woken up. Why not let me call Dr. Ryan instead? You were seriously-"
Sebastian's glare silenced Jamie mid-sentence, his eyes flashing with irritation.
"You don't need to remind me of my own condition. I know what I've been through."
Jamie quickly gathered his wits. His voice tinged with concern. "I... I mean, sir. You really shouldn't be removing the tubes or getting up so quickly. Dr Ryan said-"
Sebastian waved off Jamie's words dismissively as he sat up straight. "Forget Ryan. Doctors always exaggerate. Besides, I feel fine now."
Fine? Jamie couldn't help but sigh inwardly. His boss had just woken up from a coma, and here he was, acting as if he had merely taken a short nap. But he wasn't that surprised because Sebastian behaved like this every single time he woke up after having a severe allergic reaction. It was as if his body had snapped back to its usual state without missing a beat.
Sebastian's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing in on Jamie. "You didn't answer my question earlier. Where is my wife?"
Jamie shifted uncomfortably, his gaze avoiding Sebastian's intense stare. 'Oh my, God. I'm screwed!' he thought inwardly.
Sebastian's voice was sharp and growing more impatient. "I asked you a question. Where is she?"
"Sir, about your wife..." Jamie cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Sir, I… I didn't think to inform her about your hospitalization."
Sebastian's eyes blazed with anger as he asked coldly, "You didn't what? Jamie, are you incompetent or just useless?"
Jamie shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor with guilt gnawing at him. "I... I didn't think she needed to know, sir."
"Of course, you wouldn't think, you never think beyond your tasks. You didn't think it was important to tell my so-called wife that her husband was in the hospital?"
Jamie's cheeks reddened as he stammered, realizing how inadequate his explanation sounded, "I... I thought... I mean, it's just that your relationship with her... it's complicated."
"Ah! Complicated, you say?" Sebastian's expression darkened more, his voice dripping with venom.
Jamie felt like a deer caught in headlights, regretting his choice of words. "I thought you might not want me to contact her, and she might not care to come too."
Sebastian's anger seemed to intensify as his jaws clenched, his voice rising. "Whether she cares or not is none of your concern. You were supposed to inform her immediately if anything happened to me. Why is she my wife, then? Are you so dumb?"
As Jamie hung his head in embarrassment, Sebastian's thoughts turned inward. He was angry at Jamie for not informing his wife, but he was equally furious at the woman herself.
It hadn't even crossed her mind to check on him, to find out if he was okay. After all, their names were on the marriage certificate, and she was legally his wife.
He gritted his teeth. "So where is she now? Ask the bodyguards who I stationed to follow her."
Jamie hesitated, then replied cautiously. "I... I believe the madame is currently at her workplace, Skyline Events Company, Sire."
Sebastian sighed. He had married the woman impulsively, and their relationship had been anything but smooth. He was furious that she hadn't reached out, but, at the same time, he wondered why he had expected her to. His anger seemed to simmer, replaced by frustration and a touch of resignation.
"Is my phone here?"
Jamie nodded, picking up the phone from the bedside table and handing it to him. Right now, he was doing all he could and as diligently as possible so as not to provoke any more of his boss's anger.
"What's her number?"
Jamie quickly rushed to retrieve a document containing all of Kourtney's information.
Sebastian needed to make this call. He needed to see his wife!