Every single word out of my mother’s mouth cut deep. I stared at her in stark despair. I knew that she was still irked at me, but never had I thought that she would think that of me.
I’m also her daughter at the end of the day, so how could she think that I don’t love Steven?
“Mom, if that’s truly what you think of me, then I have nothing else to say. I know you don’t want to see me, so I’m leaving.”
While I was worried about her and wanted her forgiveness, I didn’t want to beg for it. Instead, I wanted genuine concern and forgiveness from her.
After saying that, I whirled around and hastened toward the door. In all honesty, she had truly hurt me greatly.
“How impudent…”
My mother had more to say, but I didn’t halt, and simply left in huge strides.
By the time I reached the hospital lobby, the frustration within me had mushroomed.
Argh! What exactly do I have to do before she’d forgive me? She’s well aware that Steven’s incident had nothing to do with me, so why is she heaping the blame on me? Was it me who made him gamble and owe loan sharks money?
When I reached the hospital entrance, someone kept honking behind me. Frowning in consternation, I moved to the side to make way for the car behind me.
Despite that, the car behind me persisted in honking at me. I glanced back over my shoulder, only to glimpse a familiar Ferrari.
Isn’t that Ronan’s car?
While I was still bewildered, Ronan poked his head out of the car window. “We meet again, Ms. Garcia,” he greeted.
As always, he wore a bright smile on his face, making me feel particularly relaxed.
“Weren’t you here to visit someone? Why are you done so quickly?”
I regarded him in surprise since a visit probably took much longer.
“The same can be said of you, isn’t that right, Ms. Garcia?” Ronan countered placidly without answering my question.
An amused smile blossomed on his face.
Looking into his eyes, I was rendered speechless for a moment. Well, I’m a special case. I had no choice but to leave since my entire family abhorred my presence.
“It’s getting late, so I’ve got to hurry home.”
Not wanting to dwell on those wearisome matters anymore, I made to leave after saying that.
“Where do you stay? I’ll drive you home.”
Once again, Ronan offered to drive me home.
“It’s okay. I’ll just hail a taxi home since it’s a long way from here.”
Ronan and I were strangers who had only met twice, so we weren’t that close that I would accept his offer to drive me home. Besides, my relationship with Michael was of a clandestine nature.
While Michael wasn’t a celebrity or anything of the sort, there was much mention of him in magazines. Thus, it would be bad if he were recognized.
“You’re really firm in your demurral, Ms. Garcia, not giving me the slightest opportunity to give a beautiful lady a lift.”
Feigning an expression of regret, Ronan spread his hands as though he was utterly disappointed.
That antic of his seemed frivolous to me, turning me off. Instinctually, I wanted to keep a distance from him. After all, there was no shortage of men wanting to pick up beautiful girls for hookups nowadays.
Indeed, his striking and charming countenance was even comparable to that of Michael’s, but I didn’t just go to bed with anyone. After all, AIDS was no joke.
“Well then, please excuse me.”
Lacking the patience to continue yakking with him, I pivoted and quickly left after saying that.
Meanwhile, Ronan remained sitting in the car and stared at me without saying anything. Throughout it all, a smirk hovered on his lips.
By the time I returned to Birchwood, Michael had been home ages ago. Right then, he was reading a book in the living room. Ever since I agreed to be his lover, he came here every single night to the point that I wondered whether he was going to take up permanent residence.
Hmm? He has a huge mansion, so why isn’t he going there but staying here every day? Aren’t men supposed to be visiting their lover occasionally? I’ve never heard of anyone who lives with his lover.
“Where did you go that you only came back at this hour?” Michael queried mildly.
He closed the book in his hand and shifted his gaze to me.
“I had coffee with Natalie before making a visit to the hospital,” I explained after putting my handbag on the couch.
I automatically omitted any mention of Ronan since Michael was an extremely possessive man. While there was nothing between the handsome young man and me, he might misunderstand if he learned about him.
“Didn’t I tell you not to go to the hospital? Why are you so stubborn?”
Hearing that I went to the hospital, Michael’s brows furrowed deeply, and his gaze radiated displeasure.
“The person lying in the hospital is my brother, so how am I supposed to abandon him? I’m not as cold-blooded as you.”
To Michael, it was a piece of cake to suppress the urge to go to the hospital because he was inherently a cold-blooded man. However, I couldn’t do that. Every time I thought of my brother’s broken legs, anxiety gripped me. While I didn’t stay at the hospital to look after him, not a minute went past without me worrying.
“Cold-blooded? You think I’m a cold-blooded person?” Michael demanded coldly.
He fixed his long and tapered eyes that had narrowed into slits on me, his gaze glinting dangerously.
“Are you not? I’m not as rational as you. I’m a woman driven by emotions, so I can’t obey your orders of not going to the hospital!”
Despite knowing that Michael only wanted the best for me, I simply couldn’t help the urge to go to the hospital and mend my relationship with my parents. He had never been in my shoes, so he couldn’t comprehend the anguish of being misunderstood and resented by one’s own family.
“So, do you think your visit accomplished anything?” Michael questioned coldly.
Surprisingly, he didn’t go ballistic but merely stared into my eyes.
“It’s better than doing nothing at all. At least, I’ve done my best.”
I naturally knew that my mother currently despised me to the bone. No matter how many visits I make to the hospital, it wouldn’t make a difference since she would never forgive me so easily.
Michael continued looking me squarely in the eye. After a long time had passed, he finally murmured, “I’ll help you with it.”
At that, I gaped at him incredulously as I wondered whether I had misheard him. Did he actually say that he’ll help me? I must be hallucinating!
My eyes on him were wide as saucers, and I had no idea what to say for a moment. Gratitude welled within me, but I couldn’t utter any words of thanks before him.
“Why are you still standing there in a daze? Go on and cook dinner! Or do you want me to starve?”
Michael’s sharp brows knitted together again when I remained silent for an eternity, his voice tinged with disgruntlement.
Snapping out of my stupor, I hastily rushed to the kitchen. Since he promised to help me, he’ll definitely keep his word!
