Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 87: An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 87: An Unexpected Visitor

Even with the doctor clearing him of any immediate complications, Jerica couldn’t help but feel the pull of anxiety tightening in her chest.

The sight of him reaching for his phone, his fingers trembling as he tried to grasp it, made her heart sink. She handed him the device, noting the cracked screen. She couldn’t help but think how it was almost a reflection of the state of his body—damaged, fragile, but still functioning.

She had the phone sent to be repaired without saying anything to him. You don’t need to worry about this right now, she thought, her hands moving to tuck the phone away as if it would make things easier for him.

When Jared finally fell asleep, it was almost like a relief to her. She stayed beside him, her gaze never leaving his face. She watched the rise and fall of his chest with every breath, the exhaustion written in every line of his features. He had fallen into a deep sleep, his body too worn down to stay awake, and Jerica knew that rest was exactly what he needed to heal.

But even as she sat there, quietly holding his hand, the worry gnawed at her—Would he be okay? Was this enough to pull him through?

Time passed, slow and heavy, until a sudden disturbance broke the stillness. Voices in the hallway, sharp and raised, interrupted her thoughts. She strained her ears, trying to make out the words, but it was the way the hospital staff were talking that made her blood run cold. Someone was being stopped, and their tone, defensive, tense, only added to the growing sense of unease.

Jerica’s heart skipped a beat, a cold hand gripping her chest as her mind began to race. Is Jared’s life still in danger?

Her hands trembled as she stood, her legs almost giving way beneath her. She knew she shouldn’t leave his side, but the fear clawing at her chest was too great. Every instinct screamed at her to find out what was going on, to make sure that nothing else was threatening him.

What if it’s worse than they’ve said?

She moved quickly, almost in a daze, her feet carrying her toward the hallway before she could second-guess herself. As she neared the door, she could see the tension, the staff trying to hold back someone—a man, she noticed. Jerica’s breath hitched. She couldn’t see who he was, but the confrontation, the guarded expressions of the staff, only made her stomach churn.

Without thinking, she stepped forward, her heart pounding so loudly in her ears that she could barely hear anything else.

Her hands shook as she reached for the door, a rush of panic flooding her senses. But before she could fully step out, she stopped, listening, waiting for something—anything—that might bring clarity.

Please, let him be okay. Please don’t let him be in danger anymore.

--

Jerica’s tense shoulders relaxed, and a soft chuckle escaped her lips as she realized the commotion in the hallway was far less dire than she had feared. There stood Nick, Jared’s paralegal assistant, engaged in a loud and dramatic argument with the hospital staff. He looked utterly comical, juggling a massive fruit basket that was clearly too heavy for him, nearly toppling over as he tried to adjust his grip.

"My uncle is the dean of this hospital!" Nick declared, his voice indignant, as he swatted away a nurse’s attempt to place a calming hand on his shoulder. "All I want is to visit my boss, and you’re acting like I’m trying to break into a vault or something!"

The hospital staff remained steadfast, with the guards joining in, their patience wearing thin as Nick’s words fell on deaf ears. Jerica couldn’t help but smile. Of all the people who could have shown up to visit Jared, it had to be Nick—the one person who could turn a simple hospital visit into a theatrical production.

She stepped forward, her presence immediately drawing Nick’s attention. His expression shifted from exasperation to relief as he recognized her.

"Ms. Evans!" Nick exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation. "You’ve got to help me! They won’t let me see JP, and I—"

Jerica held up a hand, her smile growing. "Calm down, Nick. I’ll handle it." She turned to the hospital staff, her tone firm yet polite. "He’s a close colleague of my husband. It’s alright; he can come in with me."

The guards exchanged hesitant glances before stepping aside, allowing Jerica to beckon Nick into the room. He gave her a grateful nod, struggling to steady the precariously balanced fruit basket as he followed her inside.

As they entered, Nick immediately began his usual stream of chatter, his words tumbling out almost faster than he could think them. "I heard about what happened, and I thought—well, I can’t exactly do much, but I figured some fruit might help. Vitamin C is important for recovery, right? And I also brought some paperwork—don’t worry, nothing urgent, just stuff to keep Jared from getting too bored. You know how he gets."

Jerica closed the door behind them, her heart warming as she watched Nick’s genuine concern. Jared stirred slightly at the sound of their voices, his eyes fluttering open. When he saw Nick, a faint smirk played on his lips despite his obvious fatigue.

"Nick," Jared rasped, his voice still hoarse. "What are you doing here? And why does it look like you’re trying to start a fruit market in my hospital room?"

Nick grinned, setting the basket down with a huff. "Boss, I’m here to brighten your day! And don’t act like you don’t need this. You look like you haven’t eaten in weeks."

Jerica laughed softly, moving to Jared’s side and placing a reassuring hand on his arm. For the first time in what felt like forever, the room didn’t feel so heavy. Nick’s presence was like a breath of fresh air, reminding her that, even in the midst of their struggles, they weren’t alone.

Jared leaned back into his pillows, his smirk turning into a faint but genuine smile. "Well, at least you didn’t bring legal briefs as a get-well-soon gift," he said dryly.

Nick’s face lit up mischievously. "Actually..."

Jerica groaned, rolling her eyes as both men chuckled. For some time, the room was filled with the joyful banters of Nick. Jerica gladly welcomed this change of situation in the tense room. Maybe it was her smile, but Jared was smiling too.

"I’ll get you a coffee," Jerica said and left the room even though Nick refused. That was the leas she could do for Nick who found the time to visit them.

Jerica’s departure left an unexpected quiet in the room. The tension returned as soon as the door clicked shut, the light banter replaced by the weight of reality. Jared’s face hardened, the warmth he had shared with his wife fading into a grim resolve.

"Hide all the evidence that the Glover family was involved," Jared said, his voice low but firm. "Say nothing to the police. Let them close the case as a random act of violence."

Nick’s playful demeanor disappeared. He nodded slowly, his expression serious. "Does this mean you’re backing off?" he asked after a moment, his voice tinged with both confusion and concern.

Jared’s jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he muttered, "I want her safe. That’s it."

Nick exhaled deeply, frustration flickering in his eyes. "JP, if you stop now, everything you’ve worked for—"

"It doesn’t matter," Jared interrupted, his voice sharp. "What matters is that she’s alive, Nick. Alive and unharmed."

Nick leaned back, his brow furrowing. He had seen Jared in battles of wit and law, seen him stand unshaken before adversaries far more powerful than himself. But now, he was looking at a man trapped—caught between his relentless drive for justice and his overwhelming need to protect the woman he loved.

"Also," Jared continued, his tone softer now, "stop everything you’re investigating. Burn the files. Transfer to another courthouse, away from me."

Nick’s heart dropped. "Why? JP, I don’t even know the full picture yet. I have no details. I’m not leaving you alone in this."

Jared turned to meet Nick’s eyes, and his sigh carried a weight that words couldn’t. "You’ve already risked more than you should for me," Jared said quietly. "You’re an only son, Nick. You don’t need to pay the price for my war."

Nick shook his head, panic creeping into his voice. "I’m not going anywhere. I’ve stuck by you this far, and I’m not backing out now."

Jared looked at him for a long moment, the conflict in his mind evident. Nick had always been loyal, often helping before even being asked, piecing together Jared’s plans with uncanny intuition. But now, Jared wondered if keeping him close was selfish—a choice that might cost Nick his safety.

Nick leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The Glover family has put their gun in the holster, at least for now," he said, his words deliberate.