After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

Tiana sighed. "Of course we're worried! What happened? How did you end up with a stomach perforation all of a sudden?" "It's nothing, I just had a bit too much to drink," Maria explained, her voice light but tired.

"That's my fault," Herman interjected, his face filled with concern as he looked at Maria. "I should've made sure you ate something." Tiana's eyes widened as she turned to her brother. "Wait, you were with her when she was drinking?"

"Yeah," Herman admitted.

Tiana immediately gave him a light punch on the arm. "Why didn't you stop her? Drinking on an empty stomach is dangerous!"

"It's my fault," Herman said quietly.

"Stop arguing, I'm fine now," Maria said, waving her hand weakly. "I'll be more careful next time."

Tiana crossed her arms. "I don't care. It's my brother's responsibility to take care of you until you're fully recovered. If not, I'll tell Mom and Dad that he's been mistreating girls!" Maria was taken aback. "That's really not necessary..."

Tiana shook her head. "It's settled."Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

She turned to Herman. "Don't you think that's the right thing to do?"

Herman nodded. "It's only fair."

Maria sighed in resignation.

Fine then.

Sidney, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.

"I'll take care of her," he said, his tone steady, though his eyes still held a wary look toward Herman.

Tiana quickly interjected, "That won't be necessary. My brother's got it covered. You have the studio to manage, so you can't handle both."

Sidney's gaze shifted to Maria,

silently waiting for her response. She

had called him when she was in

pain didn't that mean she trusted him, that she wanted him around?

But Maria, feeling the tension in the room, quietly said, "Let's go with Tiana's plan."

Sidney's expression froze, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected that response, and the disappointment in his gaze was hard to miss.

Tiana turned to Sidney and said, "Alright, there's nothing more for you to do here. You should head back-someone has to manage the studio." With that, she practically ushered Sidney out of the room. As the hospital door closed in front of him, his expression darkened visibly.

Sidney stood in the hallway, thinking about Maria's cold, indifferent attitude. What was she playing at?

She called him first, yet now refused his help. It didn't make any sense.

BUMS

Frustrated, Sidney chose not to dwell on it further and left without a word.

Back inside the room, Tiana gave her brother a series of exaggerated winks before turning to Maria. "Get some rest, okay? My brother's here, so if you need anything, just det him know."

Maria smiled weakly. "Thanks."

With that, Tiana exited, leaving just Maria and Herman alone in the room.

Feeling exhausted, Maria turned to Herman. "Mr. Evans, you should go too. I really don't need anyone watching over me."

But Herman shook his head. "No, I'm staying. If I leave, Tiana won't let me live it down. Don't worry, I'll be here, but I won't disturb you. Just rest."

He moved over to the couch, sat down, and pulled out his phone, clearly intent on staying.

Maria, too tired to argue, soon drifted off to sleep.

When she woke again, it was late at night. The room was dark, the quiet almost eerie. She blinked a few times, letting out a soft breath.

"You're awake?" Herman's voice broke the silence, his tone low. He turned on the light, illuminating the room gently.

Maria squinted at the sudden brightness. "You've been here the whole time?"

"Yeah," Herman replied calmly. "I said I'd take care of you, so I'm staying. What do you need?"