Chapter 19
FLORENCE’S POV
This time, it was different.
I was used to Marco’s voice threatening me and blackmailing me. But this time, he seemed… sorry. Almost concerned. This was real.
I wiped away my tears, grabbed my purse, and rushed to the prison.
My heart pounded as I entered the infirmary, the sterile scent burning my nose. My father lay unconscious, his breathing shallow, his skin pale.
Panic clawed at my chest. “Dad…” My voice cracked.
The guard beside me shook his head. “He collapsed this morning. The doctor has no idea why it happened, but they’re running tests.
Tests. That could take forever, and I didn’t trust prison hospitals to give him the best care. I’d never seen my father like this before… helpless, Vulnerable. I swallowed back a sob.
The only Whitehill who seemed to care about my problems was Clarke, so I gave him a call.
He answered on the second ring. “Florence?”
I inhaled sharply. “I need your help.”
There was a pause as if he was surprised. Then, smoothly, “Where are you?”
Clarke moved quickly.
Within the hour, my father was transferred to a private hospital in the special wing donated by the Whitehill family. He would get the best of the best care, and I was relieved. But not for long.
The doctors didn’t sugarcoat anything. Dr. Onso, a middle–aged man with sharp eyes and a clipped tone, pulled me aside while the nurses adjusted my father’s IV.
“We’ve done the initial scans,” he said. “Your father has been showing signs of cerebrovascular insufficiency.”
I blinked. “Cerebro–what?”
“It means there’s reduced blood flow to the brain,” he explained. “Not enough oxygen is reaching the areas responsible for motor function and consciousness. It’s why he collapsed.”
I swallowed. “How serious is it?”
Dr. Onso hesitated. “It’s not as aggressive as something like a stroke, but it’s not minor either. It could lead to long -term issues like dizziness or blackouts. In some cases, patients remain unconscious for extended periods.”
My stomach twisted.
“But… he’ll wake up, right?” My voice was small.
Dr. Onso exhaled. “We’re optimistic. His vitals are stable, but we need to keep him here for observation. If his condition gets worse, we may need to operate.”
Surgery.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 19
I looked past him at my father’s still form. The strong, sha man I’d known was now pale and unmoving.
I barely noticed when Clarke walked in.
“Florence,” he said, scanning my father’s chart with a knowing look. “The doctors told me… are you okay?”
I shook my head slowly, tears bubbling up to the surface. exhaled shakily. “Clarke…”
He looked at me.
I clenched my hands into fists. “I’ll sign the papers.”
His expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. Approval? Satisfaction? He simply said, ”
Good.”
I removed the envelope from my bag, took out the papers, and signed them. And that was that.
“Alright, I’ll take it from here,” he said, picking up the documents.
“Wait…”
I thought over it for a second. I couldn’t let the marriage en like this. I had to be the one to break it.
“I’ll do it…” I said, my voice low. Maybe even I couldn’t believe myself.
Clarke looked hesitant but he handed me the papers. “Do it today. And…” he reached into his pocket and put a black card in my hands, “For the medical bills.”
I stared at it, then at my father. With him being the only person on my side at this point, he had to be my number one priority.
Once Mason signed the divorce papers, it would all be over felt like we were almost at the finish line of a long, tiring, painful marathon.
After a simple meal at the hospital, I lay down on the couch next to my father’s bed and sighed. The room was dark, with a single golden lamp in the corner, making the space feel small but cozy. A strange feeling of comfort washed over me… my father, though sick, was out of prison receiving incredible care, and I had the money to pay his medical expenses. And, though it pained me, I was finally done catering to Mason’s whims.
I draped the blanket on the couch over me and snuggled in. Things were bad… but finally, being close to my father, I felt a semblance of peace. And the fact that he had made arrangements for my care under the Whitehills before he was taken away tugged at my heart. I knew he would be okay… and I couldn’t wait to hug him and tell him how much I’d missed him all these years.
It dawned on me that I had to tell Mason about the papers. The least I could do was tell him personally.
I texted him: Can we talk?
A minute later, he replied: Yeah. Actually, I have something to ask you too.
I was asleep on the couch when Mason arrived. He gently shook me awake, and I looked into his eyes. For a split second, my heart lurched out of my chest, seeing his gorgeous face.
No. No more. I was only hurting myself.
“Hey,” he said softly. “What happened, is he alright? How’d he get out of prison? Why didn’t you call me?”
+25 BONUS
So many questions. I propped myself up slowly and sat up. What was the point of telling him? He wasn’t my hushand anymore.
“Elo, I can cover the medical expenses for
“No,” I said curtly.
Mason’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Florence, this isn’he time to be stubborn.”
I swallowed. “I don’t need your help,”
A tense silence stretched between us.
“He’s my father–in–law. It’s my responsibility to care
“Responsibility!” I laughed.
He looked pained at my response, but before he could answer, his phone rang
“Hey, Chris,” he answered.
Chris‘ voice was loud enough for me to hear. “Mason, there’s a situation. Someone just leaked Florence’s name online. All the details of your marriage are online right now
Mason stiffened. “What?”
I grabbed my phone and checked social media. My heart dropped. An account using my name and profile picture had posted a scathing, expose: Mason Whitehill’s Secret Wife! Jade Thome–Mistress or Just Delusional?
1 scrolled further.
The internet was already in a frenzy. Some people found old photos of Jade and Mason together, calling them the perfect match. Others dug up my father’s trial, branding me a gold–digger.
“What do you expect from the daughter of a scammer?” one comment said.
“Does she seriously think she can get away with this?” another said.
“Wonder why it’s all coming out now! Is Florence jealous of Jade?” said another comment.
My stomach churned.
Mason turned to me, his jaw clenched. “We agreed to keep our marriage a secret.”
“You think I did this? While I’ve been busy running around to solve your family PR crisis and my father’s health crisis?”
He didn’t look convinced. “This would take you seconds to leak. And you have a PR machine behind you to help
don’t you? I’m sure Raiden’s media connections helped.”
you E
His words cut me like a knife. “What are you accusing me of?” I asked.
“I’m asking if you did this out of spite because you’re angry with Jade.”
The breath had been knocked out of me.
His voice was low and controlled but laced with anger. “You don’t have to use dirty tricks like these to trap me, Florence.”
