Chapter 166

OLIVIA'S POV The antiseptic scent of the hospital burned my nose as I stirred awake, the harsh white light flickering above me like a cruel reminder that I was still alive. I blinked slowly, my body aching in ways I couldn't even describe. My arms felt heavy. My ribs ached. And beneath the layers of bandages and healing ointments, I could still feel the phantom weight of Evelyn's rage pressing down on my chest. She had tried to kill me. Again. I inhaled shakily, pushing that thought away as the door opened. Dorian stepped inside, dressed in a clean black shirt, his expression unreadable. He held a file in one hand, but he didn't bother looking at it. "You're awake," he said softly. "I'm alive," I replied, my voice hoarse. "Barely. Thanks to you and your partner." His jaw tightened. "I'm… sorry. You shouldn't have gone through that. I was blinded by my thirst and greed for power. I still want that—who doesn't? It's just, I realized a bit too late that I am not in a position to mess with