Chapter 219
Chapter 219 A Fractured Family
Hearing Matthew’s words, both Naomi and Ruby were rendered speechless, frozen in place.
+30 Free Coins
“The door’s behind you. See yourselves out.” Seeing them still rooted to the spot, Matthew made it perfectly clear they were no longer welcome.
Though Naomi cared deeply for Matthew, his words had thoroughly shattered her.
“Matthew, you’ll come to regret speaking to me this way,” Naomi said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Matthew didn’t even bother to look up.
“Come on, Ruby. Let’s go.” Naomi took Ruby’s hand and led her out of the office.
Only after the door clicked shut did Matthew finally glance up from the documents in his hands.
Hopefully, now that he had been unequivocally clear, Naomi would stop seeking him out.
At the hospital, Carter couldn’t take Freya’s endless complaints any longer and slipped out into the hallway.
Frustrated, he lit a cigarette near a window and stared blankly outside, exhaling a long, heavy sigh.
He had become nothing more than Freya’s personal attendant, ordered around all day–he was utterly fed up.
He took another sharp drag.
Just then, a nurse walked by. Spotting him, she immediately spoke up, “Sir, I’m sorry, but smoking is strictly prohibited inside the hospital.”
Carter shot the nurse an irritated glance, stubbed out the cigarette with clear annoyance, and asked impatiently, “How much longer until my wife can be discharged?”
“With fractures in both legs, she’ll need to remain under observation for at least two weeks,” the nurse replied.
“Right.” Carter processed the information.
The nurse pushed open the door to the room, and Freya’s persistent groaning spilled out into the hall.
Carter had intended to follow her back inside, but the sound made him hesitate. Instead, he turned and headed for the stairwell.
To his surprise, as soon as he reached the ground floor, he spotted Arabella entering the hospital lobby, presumably for a dressing change.
Afraid of being seen, Carter quickly ducked behind a pillar, watching to see which direction she went.
Once Arabella was out of sight, Carter, his heart still racing, hurried back upstairs.
But the thought of returning to Freya’s room was unbearable. As he wandered the corridor, he suddenly remembered Edward and made his way toward his ward.
1/2
:48 am D
Chapter 219 A Fractured Family
+30 Free Coins
Standing outside Edward’s door, the memory of Edward’s cold dismissal in front of the doctor came flooding back, reigniting Carter’s anger.
He pushed the door open forcefully. Seeing no medical staff–only Edward in bed–Carter lashed out. “You ungrateful kid, why did you freeze up when that doctor was here?”
Seeing Carter causing another scene, Edward’s gaze turned icy. “What are you doing back here? Looking for more trouble?”
‘I’m not here to fight. I just want to know why you keep siding with Arabella against your own family. Have you lost your mind?” Carter stared at Edward, his tone full of accusation and incomprehension.
‘Did you come alone?” Edward asked, noting Freya’s absence.
‘Your mother wanted to come herself and give you a piece of her mind, but she can’t. Want to know why?” Carter raised an eyebrow sarcastically.
Edward looked back at him expressionlessly, silent.
‘Arabella’s brother broke both her legs! She’s admitted in another wing right now!” Carter said, his voice rising with agitation.
The news stunned Edward. He stared back in disbelief. “You can’t be serious. Why would Arabella’s brother attack Mom?”
‘You didn’t see it. After we left your room the other day, we ran into Arabella outside. Your mom argued with her about the Harper ituation, and next thing I know, Arabella’s brother just attacked her. If I hadn’t run when I did, I’d be in the bed next to hers.” Carter huddered at the recollection.
Even now, the memory terrified him. A second’s hesitation would have left him in the same state.
‘If you don’t believe me, come see for yourself. Then you’ll understand how vicious Arabella and her family truly are.” Carter hoped Edward would visit Freya.
t would give him a break from comforting her, and maybe finally open Edward’s eyes to Arabella’s true nature.
Edward frowned, studying Carter. The story sounded partly true, partly exaggerated. But since Carter was inviting him to see Freya, and she was still his mother, Edward felt obliged to go. Regardless of their hatred for Arabella, they had raised him.
‘Alright. Take me to her,” Edward said.
‘Follow me.” Carter gave him a long look before leading the way.
They soon arrived at Freya’s room. Even from the hallway, Edward could hear pained moans. He recognized Freya’s voice mmediately.
He pushed the door open and saw her lying in bed, eyes closed, whimpering in agony.
“Mom… you’re really hurt,” Edward said, hurrying to her bedside, the words catching in his throat. He still struggled to believe Arabella and her brothers were capable of this.
Hearing Edward’s voice, Freya’s eyes snapped open. Despite her lingering anger, seeing her son triggered a wave of self–pity. “Edward, it took you long enough! That Arabella and her thugs nearly killed me! Are you going to do anything about it or not?”