Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO - Chapter 518

Chapter 518: Hostage.
Ryan paused mid-step, and his brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

But instead of answering him, Delyth’s gaze was fixed on Zenith, glowering as if the mere sight of her was an affront.

Zenith shifted slightly in discomfort under her stare but maintained her composure, offering a polite smile. “Ms. Ember,” she greeted in a calm, professional tone, just as she would always do.

She did not know much about Delyth, but she knew one thing —Ryan cared about her more than he cared about any other woman. That alone was enough to make Zenith treat her with courtesy. Not because she wanted to, but because her position demanded it.

Delyth didn’t return the greeting. Her eyes remained cold, as though she harbored a deep, burning grudge.

“Delyth!”

Ryan called her name again, clearly disliking the way she was looking at Zenith. He stepped between them, blocking her line of sight. “I asked you —why are you here?”

“Why can’t I be here, Ryan?” she finally snapped, her voice laced with blame and bitterness. “It’s been a week since I was transferred to this hospital. But it seems like you have forgotten … just like you have forgotten about me.”

“I haven’t forgotten anything, Delyth,” Ryan replied, his jaw tight. “Your doctor has kept me updated on your recovery. I know you are almost healed from the aftermath of the surgery.”

“You know?” Delyth laughed hollowly, the sound sharp and mocking. “The way you have been absent, I almost believed you had stopped caring. I thought you had completely let go of the promise to my brother.”

Zeke was still his sore spot. And the mention of his name was enough to remind him of everything —the promise he had given and everything that he had lost because of that one promise.

“I have been caught up with work, Delyth,” he said through gritted teeth. “And regardless of that, I have made sure all your needs were taken care of. You will be getting discharged soon, and your travel documents have been arranged. You can prepare to leave the country as planned.”

His words was also a reminder —to Delyth. A reminder of something he wasn’t going to budge, and an arrangement he wouldn’t allow her to back away from.

Delyth’s fingers curled tightly into her palms, but she forced a smile, one that didn’t quite mask the flicker of displeasure in her eyes. “Yes, I know.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Ryan watched her retreating back in silence before finally turning to Zenith, his expression softening, subtly. “Don’t mind her,” he said gently. “She wouldn’t come again to disturb you. You take your rest and recover soon.”

Zenith blinked.

Was he … protecting her from Delyth?

She wasn’t sure. But his words felt like a shield —like a quiet reassurance.

She nodded. “Okay, sir. Please go ahead. I don’t want to trouble you more.”

He gave her one last look before leaving the room finally.

Zenith watched him leave. She had a m mixed feeling at that moment —for everything. She had almost thought she had lost her job, but not just she didn’t lose it but the attitude of her boss kind of confused her.

Ryan was not an arrogant person —she knew. But he was also not a person who would say sorry to just anyone.

And that was why when he apologized to her for the last night, she was dumbfounded. She didn’t know how to react. Embarrassing him further wasn’t definitely there anywhere in her thoughts, hence when he offered her to choose whether to come back or now, she agreed.

***

Meanwhile, at Winslow Residence —

Arwen had just stepped out of the bathroom after freshening up, the steam still curling faintly in the air. As she reached for her towel, her phone buzzed on the dresser.

She thought it might be Aiden, but when she walked to look —it wasn’t him.

It was Gianna.

Her lips curled into a soft, fond smile as she picked the call. “Hello, Anna! How is everything at home? Are you enjoying your time there?”

She expected the usual complaints —something about her mother enrolling her in yet another cooking class.

But instead, all she heard was her cry through the line.

“Wenna …!”

Arwen froze, instantly alarmed. “Anna? What’s wrong? Are you crying? Did something happen? Did you argue with your mom again? Don’t tell me —”

“What argument, Wenna?” Gianna cried, her voice trembling. “I had an accident! A terrible, horrible accident.”

Terrible, horrible accident?

Arwen paused, skeptical for just a second. If it had been truly terrible, Gianna wouldn’t be in any condition to make this call.

Trying to remain calm in the face of what was likely another one of Gianna’s dramatics, she asked, “What kind of accident, Anna? Are you hurt? Are you in the hospital? Who is there with you and did you call your parents?”

“I can’t call them,” Gianna sobbed. “They wouldn’t be able to come anyway.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have already returned to Cralens. They would have to book a flight to get here.”

Arwen blinked, confused. “You are back?” she asked, before adding, “It hasn’t been even a week since you left. Why did you come back so suddenly?”

“My legs!” Gianna wailed in pain, ignoring the question. “They are ruined, Wenna! I don’t think I will ever walk again!”

That was enough to make Arwen’s heart sink. But the sheer drama in Gianna’s voice gave her pause. If she was crying this loudly, and still talking in full sentences, it wasn’t probably life threatening.

Still, the panic was beginning to creep in. “What are you talking about, Anna? You are still talking with so much energy, it can’t be so terrible.”

“Wenna, I —”

Before Gianna could continue, Arwen cut in, her tone turning sharp with urgency. “Tell me, where are you right now? I will come to you. Which hospital is it?”

There was a pause in the line …

Just as Arwen opened her mouth to ask again, she finally heard Gianna whisper —

“I am not at a hospital, Wenna.”

Arwen frowned. “Not at the hospital? Then where are you?”

“I … I don’t know. Somewhere …” Gianna’s voice quivered, but it was just for a moment. Soon, her voice returned to the original, and she added. “The person who hit me … they have kept me hostage.”