Chapter 7
“Hayley, how are you feeling? I’ll take you back to your room,” Daniel said softly.
He had that classic clean–cut look that nurses could not help but whisper about–three or four of them trailed behind, glancing our way and exchanging gossip–filled looks.
I gave a faint smile, trying to keep things light. “Dr. Finnegan, if you keep getting this close, someone’s gonna think the baby in my belly should be calling you dad.”
Daniel was my senior back in our university club, and oddly enough, also the first familiar face I had come across during the three years I had been with Jim.
I had not even known he worked here until I ended up at this hospital for the procedure.
The moment my words landed, his face went bright red.
“Hayley, actually… they…” He scratched his head, stumbling over his words.
He was clearly too flustered to finish the thought.
I figured my comment had just embarrassed him, so I backtracked a little.
“Dr. Finnegan, don’t take it seriously. I was just trying to throw them off. I didn’t want their gossip affecting your reputation.
“Sorry about that.”
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He glanced back at the nurses, then let out a soft “oh” as if things finally clicked into place.
“I see.
Strangely, there was a touch of sympathy in his tone.
I was wheeled back to the ward with Daniel and the cluster of nurses trailing behind.
Over the next two weeks, while I was stuck in bed, Daniel showed up for almost every meal.
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He would always bring soups and stews.
After three years of gradually losing weight living with the Upton family, I gained a few kilos in just a week at the hospital.
Even the old man in the next bed kept saying I looked a lot healthier.
Then came a call from Jim right when Daniel and I were going over the discharge plans.
The phone wouldn’t stop ringing, buzzing insistently like it had something urgent to say. I was annoyed. I lifted my heavy eyelids and happened to meet Daniel’s eyes.
I did not say anything, but he understood.
Daniel was holding my luggage. His gaze right now was calm and steady like he was silently cheering me on.
“Go ahead, answer,” he said gently.
I walked under the tree and picked up the call. The moment I answered, a familiar voice came crashing through the line, sharp with anger.
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“Hayley, you’ve got guts. I messaged you so many times these past few days and you didn’t respond to a single one?
Are you that full of attitude? I’ve had this splitting headache for two days, and you’re still pushing my buttons. Do you want me to collapse from the stress?”
That familiar voice of reproach kept reminding me of what I had lost from my body during this time.
The wound in my heart, which I thought had already healed, was ripped open all over again by Jim.
“Jim, why should I reply to your messages? If you’ve got a headache, go see a doctor. What’s that got to do with me?”
Jim went quiet for a second before taking a deep breath. I could hear him trying to rein in his temper. “Hayley, you should understand that I don’t
offer chances like this on
“If you’re still being stubborn, I might just rethink who should be Mrs. Upton.”
The man still acted like he was doing me a favor. It was like tossing out a few insults and sending some meaningless texts was enough to be considered generous.
And yet, even that so–called favor was something I was supposed to chase after.
I nearly laughed, tears stinging my eyes.
Qh, Hayley. Just how much had you given that man for him to think he could still talk to you like this?
“Jim,” I said, voice calm but cutting, “do you really think I’ve spent the past three years groveling just to get your precious title of Mrs. Upton?
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“Do you think everything I did–for you, your parents, your whole family -was just for that name? What do you think that title is even worth?
“Did you forget who pulled you out when you were bankrupt and lying in the dirt? Who stood by you when everyone else walked away?
“Your whole family is heartless. Anyone who marries into it is just signing up for misery.
“You want to replace the future Mrs. Upton? Go ahead. I’m done. I won’t be marrying you anymore. Go chase after your beloved Sadie. I’m out.
Te too filthy for me to even want.”
“A guy like you? You’re
Jim was clearly caught off guard by my sudden outburst. He froze for a couple of seconds before trying to talk back.
“Hayley, why are you suddenly losing it? I just told you to come home. Did I say something wrong? Do you even know…”
I hung up before he could finish.
I murmured to myself, “Losing it? Yeah, maybe I am.”
I must have been out of my mind to waste three whole years on someone
like him.
Daniel must have noticed something off in my expression. He did not say anything right away–just waited quietly until I calmed down. Then he gently took my phone and silenced it.
“Hayley, let’s go,” he said softly.
“I’ll take you home.”
I nodded. No words. Just a quiet agreement.
