I instinctively started to follow, but after just one step, I heard Julian Hayes call out softly from behind me, "Joyce." Only then did I remember our arrangement to go back and review the project.
"Hayes, I’m so sorry," I said, my face full of apology. "My older brother has been hospitalized, and I need to go see him. How about you discuss things with Linda first? I’ll find you as soon as I get back."
"It’s no problem. Go on, I’ll wait for you." Meeting Julian Hayes’s gentle gaze, I lowered my head guiltily. I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for breaking my promise.
’Besides, Julian Hayes only came to the company for an interview because of me...’
’Leaving him hanging like this was a pretty lousy thing to do.’
’But I can’t just ignore what’s happening with my brother...’
’I’ll just have to properly apologize to Hayes when I get back from the hospital.’
...
Soon enough, Sebastian Forrest had brought me to the hospital.
Once inside the room, I saw my big brother lying on the bed, looking like he was at death’s door. His head was wrapped in a layer of gauze, his leg was encased in a thick cast, and his face was black and blue. He looked like there wasn’t a single good piece of flesh left on him.
"Big Brother, what happened..." I rushed forward, my face etched with worry. Although I’d been furious with him lately, the sight of him like this completely extinguished my anger.
After all, we’re family, bonded by blood. We grew up together. Seeing him in this state, all I felt was heartache and worry.
"What are you doing here?" One of my brother’s cheeks was severely swollen, and his words were slurred.
"Who did this to you?" I frowned. "Was it Clara Langley’s ex-husband?"
My brother clearly didn’t want to talk about it. He furrowed his brow. "Don’t you worry about it. I’ll take care of my own problems. Stay out of it."
I couldn’t help but take a deep breath. "You’re still hiding something from me, aren’t you?"
’Clara Langley was just using my brother as a pawn from the very beginning. There’s no way they had any real relationship.’
’And yet, William Westwood refuses to let my brother go...’
’It seems this isn’t just about his connection to Clara Langley.’
My brother’s gaze flickered away for a second. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The moment I saw his reaction, my heart sank. ’I was right!’
"Are you sure you’re not going to tell me?" I took another deep breath. "You know what William Westwood is capable of. If he dared to beat you this badly, he’ll only hit harder next time! Do you have a death wish?"
"I..." My brother’s lips moved, but the moment his gaze fell on Sebastian Forrest standing behind me, he clammed up.
"I said there’s nothing to it, so stop imagining things!"
"Fine! Then you can just fend for yourself!" I snapped, then turned and stormed out.
Once I was out of the hospital room, Sebastian Forrest grabbed my wrist. "All right, don’t be angry. It’s not worth getting so upset over someone like your brother."
I fumed, "My brother is definitely hiding something from me!"
’And it’s something to do with Clara Langley!’
"I’ll look into it for you," Sebastian Forrest said.
I quickly shook my head. "No, I’ve already troubled you too many times. I’ll handle this on my own."
’Favors are the hardest debts to repay.’
’Even if the debt of favors I owed Sebastian Forrest was already almost impossible to repay.’
"All right." Sebastian Forrest didn’t insist. "In that case, don’t force yourself. If you run into any trouble, you have to remember to come find me."
I nodded. "Okay."
...
The incident with my brother soured my previously good mood.
But being at the hospital reminded me that I had scheduled an abortion here...
I didn’t need it anymore, so it was the perfect chance to go and cancel the procedure.
"Um, Senior Forrest, could you wait here for me for a minute? I need to go to another department..."
"Where to? Should I come with you?"
"No, it’s fine." I quickly waved my hands. "I can go by myself."
’After all, it’s the obstetrics and gynecology department. A grown man like Sebastian Forrest would be completely out of place there.’
Sebastian Forrest must have guessed something, because he didn’t press the issue. He just chuckled softly. "All right. Go on, then. Don’t be long."
I nodded immediately. "I will."
I quickly took the elevator to the Obstetrics and Gynecology department. Since I was there to cancel the procedure, I headed straight for the nurses’ station.
"Hello, I have an abortion procedure scheduled for tomorrow. Is it possible to cancel it?"
"Of course. Could you please give me your name and ID number? I’ll process that for you."
I quickly rattled off my information.
"Okay, Miss Joyce. One moment, please."
I stood at the counter waiting for the nurse to pull up my file, my gaze drifting to the pregnant women walking back and forth in the hallway, cradling their bellies. My own expression softened.
Just then, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in my peripheral vision—
’Theodore Grant?!’
I instinctively turned my head away, a slight frown creasing my brow.
’The world is too small for enemies!’
’What’s he doing here?’
The thought had barely formed before it dawned on me: Clara Langley had attempted suicide again, so of course Theodore Grant would be here at the hospital looking after her.
’I was so furious with my brother I’d completely forgotten.’
’I really hope he didn’t see me...’
"Chelsea Joyce?"
At that moment, Theodore Grant’s deep voice sounded from behind me. My heart clenched. Knowing there was no avoiding this, I decided to face him head-on and turned around.
"What are you doing here?" Theodore Grant’s brow furrowed. "Haven’t you seen enough of the spectacle?"
Seeing that he assumed I was here to gloat, which suited me just fine, I played along. "And why not? Am I not allowed?"
Theodore Grant’s frown deepened, but his voice was laced with an unusual weariness. "Chelsea, do you hate me that much?"
’Hate?’
I froze for a second, realizing he had misunderstood.
"Even if I were here to watch the circus, I’d be here to laugh at Clara Langley, not you. What does it have to do with you?"
Theodore Grant pursed his lips, looking dazed for a moment. "The only reason you hate Clara Langley is because of me, isn’t it?"
I let out a cold laugh. "Theodore Grant, we’re divorced. Legally, morally... in every way, we’re less than strangers now."
"If there’s no love left, how could there possibly be any hate?"
But Theodore Grant clearly didn’t believe me. "Then why do you hate Clara Langley?"
"Because she’s the reason my mother is dead!"
"What?" Theodore Grant froze. "What did you just say?"
I couldn’t be bothered to explain further. I turned to leave.
"Miss Joyce..."
But right at that moment, the nurse from behind the counter called out to me—