Page 80 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"I don't know.In any case, he tried to call you several times at five in the morning.Listen to him before jumping to conclusions."
At that moment, my phone rang.I jumped and looked at the screen: an unknown number appeared.Who could be calling me at seven in the morning?A wave of anxiety rose within me without my knowing why.I took a trembling breath before answering.
"Hello?"
"Mrs.Mercier?This is Saint-Joseph Hospital.We have a patient, Tristan de La Tour, who was admitted following a car accident.You are his emergency contact."
The world around me wavered.Leila, who was watching me, sat up abruptly seeing my face decompose.
"An...an accident?"I repeated in a trembling voice."How is he?"
"He is still unconscious, but stable.He has several fractured ribs and a cerebral concussion.We would need more information about his medical history.Can you come to the intensive care unit?"
Leila placed a firm hand on my arm, her eyes filled with concern.
"Yes, I...I'm coming right away," I stammered before hanging up.
"What's happening?"asked Leila, face pale.
"Tristan...he had an accident.He's in the hospital," I explained, voice broken.
Leila rose precipitously, grabbing our coats and bags.
"Come on, let's go.I'll come with you."
I let myself be guided like an automaton, still stunned by the news.Leila hailed a taxi, helping me settle in the back.The journey to the hospital was made in heavy silence.
Upon arrival, we rushed inside.
"Eva Mercier...I'm here for Tristan de La Tour," I explained at reception."I was called..."
The receptionist typed on her computer before answering me.
"Intensive care unit, second floor."
At the intensive care reception, the department secretary asked me some additional questions about Tristan, then we were invited to wait for the doctor's arrival.Leila and I exchanged a worried look while taking seats on the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room.
At that moment, everything became clear.Whatever our differences, Tristan needed me.Everything else was secondary.
49.A brain concussion
TRISTAN
I woke up slowly, my eyelids heavy, the white light of the hospital room momentarily blinding me.A dull pain radiated throughout my body, and each breath sent a sharp jolt through my ribs.My still foggy mind struggled to piece together the scattered fragments of my memories.
Suddenly, the horror of the situation came rushing back.Audrey, the photo, Eva!
"Eva..."I murmured as panic rose within me, triggering a series of frantic beeps from the monitoring equipment.
"Shh, easy, Tristan," said a soothing voice as a gentle hand rested on mine."You had an accident, but you're going to be okay."
Eva, she was there.Turning my head slightly, I caught sight of her, seated in an uncomfortable chair, her features marked by worry and fatigue.
I wanted to talk to her, to explain about Audrey, but the words seemed to evade me.Each time I tried to organize my thoughts, my still-clouded mind refused to cooperate.
At that moment, the doctor entered, interrupting my attempts to speak.He approached with a file in hand, looking serious but kind.
"Good morning, I'm Dr.Lefevre," he began with a friendly smile."I'd like to speak privately with my patient, please," he added with an apologetic look toward Eva.
