Chapter 194
Chapter 194 An Unlikely Hospital Meeting
Finished
“No, it’s fine. We’re not sure about the timing anyway. After the check–up, we still need to swing by Edward’s place,” Arabella said casually.
“Well, drive carefully,” Florence called after them, concern in her voice.
The two nodded in unison before heading out together.
Ethan drove smoothly, taking Arabella straight to the hospital. She honestly felt the whole production was a bit much, but with everyone at home so worried, she went along with it.
Soon, the siblings arrived. Ethan parked, fetched the wheelchair from the trunk, and carefully helped Arabella into it. She had gone from finding the wheelchair utterly unnecessary to simply accepting her fate, letting Ethan wheel her all the way to the outpatient clinic for her wound care.
“Ethan, I can manage from here. You can wait outside.”
“Okay.” Sensing she didn’t want to be a bother, Ethan stepped out to wait in the hall.
A nurse promptly began changing Arabella’s dressing with gentle hands. The wound was looking much better today; the sharp pain was gone, and the bandaging was finished quickly.
Just as Arabella was about to leave, the door to the treatment room swung open and someone hurried in.
“Doctor, my friend’s hurt his hand pretty bad. Can someone take a look?”
The voice was urgent, yet familiar. Arabella glanced over. The newcomer seemed to notice her at the same moment. When he looked up, their eyes met.
“Huh? Arabella? What are you doing here?”
Arabella was equally surprised. She hadn’t expected to run into Lucas here–and Kyle was with him. Seeing Kyle’s hand wrapped in a blood–soaked cloth, she frowned. “That looks deep. Might have nicked the bone.”
Lucas was taken aback. “How’d you know? The triage nurse said the same thing, told us to get the bleeding stopped first and then head for X–ray.”
Seeing the situation, the nurse quickly stepped forward to attend to Kyle. The injury was indeed severe; Kyle winced sharply at the slightest touch. Fortunately, the hemostatic agent worked quickly, and the nurse was efficient, soon getting the bleeding under control.
Lucas, who had been sweating with worry, finally had a moment to breathe and remembered to
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ask Arabella, “What about you? Isn’t your injury healed yet? Are you here for a check–up”
Arabella nodded. “Just a dressing change. It’s healing fast, but my mom and brother are helicoptering. They insist on ‘proper wound care”
Lucas grinned. “Makes sense. You can’t compare to us guys. A girl deserves to be taken care of
Hearing this, Kyle couldn’t help rolling his eyes despite the pain. “Lucas, real subtle. I’m right here, bleeding out. Can the chit–chat wait? Get me to X–ray, man.”
Lucas snapped back to attention. “Right.” But noticing Arabella was alone and her wheelchair was beside her, he eagerly wheeled it over. “You came in a wheelchair?”
Arabella nodded with a resigned smile. “Overkill, right?”
Lucas shook his head. “Not at all. Smart.” This way, he could push her.
“Thanks. My brother’s probably waiting outside.” It was just for the short walk to the lobby, so Arabella didn’t mind.
Lucas, however, was more than happy to push her, even for a little way.
“Hey, Lucas, hello? Seriously injured friend here?” Kyle grumbled. Lucas had been his crutch all the way to the hospital, but the moment he saw Arabella, he’d been forgotten. His hand throbbed, and honestly, so did his heart.
Lucas shot him a look. “The bleeding’s stopped. You just need the X–ray now. Stop being so dramatic.”
With that, the three of them left the treatment room together. As they stepped into the hallway, Arabella saw that Ethan wasn’t on the bench outside the door. Instead, he was at the far end of the lobby near the windows, seemingly engrossed in a phone call.
Lucas spotted Ethan too and immediately said, “There’s your brother. I’ll take you over.” Getting to push Arabella a bit farther was a bonus.
Arabella nodded. “That works. The down elevator right next to him goes to the Radiology floor.”
Lucas‘ grin widened. “Perfect.”
Watching the two of them chatting easily, Kyle trailed behind, feeling thoroughly sorry for himself. Why was he so unlucky? Injured and ignored. His so–called best friend was the definition of fair–weather. Tough day.
And so, the three of them passed right by the bank of glass elevators. They completely failed to notice that one elevator had just arrived at their floor, its doors sliding open to reveal an
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Chapter 194 An Unlikely Hospital Meeting
occupant who had a perfect, unobstructed view of the scene unfolding directly before him
A young man, smiling warmly, pushing a girl in a wheelchair, followed by another young man nursing a bloody hand–it was a particularly noticeable tableau.
Even if Matthew had wanted to pretend he didn’t see it, he couldn’t have. His brow furrowed as he watched Lucas and Arabella pass by together, seemingly completely unaware of his presence. His expression darkened.
Andy, instantly attuned to the shift in Matthew’s demeanor, followed his gaze. Catching the subtle tension, he instantly pinpointed the source of Matthew’s sudden foul mood.
“Mr. Stewart, the elevator is here,” Andy reminded him softly, noticing Matthew hadn’t moved.
Only then did Matthew step out of the elevator, his face set in a grim line. Unexpectedly, he turned and strode purposefully in Arabella’s direction.
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