Chapter 27
From the moment Karen entered, arrogantly slapping Nicole and then stomping on her hearing aid, Travis had remained coldly detached throughout.
Or at least, that’s how Nicole saw it.
She had long stopped expecting anything from this man.
But when he demanded she apologize to Karen, who had slapped her, Nicole’s anger surged from her chest. ” Apologize? Absolutely not.”
Her indifferent gaze swept over Travis’s chiseled, shadowed features before settling on the elderly patient.
She walked over and said gently, “Sir, I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself, and thank you.”
The elderly patient, already frail with a weak heart, had been too intimidated by Karen’s aggression to speak up earlier.
Hearing Nicole’s thanks, he felt slightly ashamed for not being more helpful.
Nicole shook her head, telling him that taking care of his health was most important.
After saying goodbye to the patient, Nicole walked toward the hospital room door, never once glancing at Travis.
Travis watched as Nicole ignored him completely, an unfamiliar knot of anger and loss tightening in his chest.
“Nicole, I’m talking to you. Are you deaf?“The snapped.
Already through the doorway, Nicole heard Travis but this time didn’t turn back. Instead, she pulled out her phone,
and made a call.
“Grandpa, Travis is discharged today. I have something to do, so I’ll leave now. I’ll come visit you another day.”
“Okay, ah, thank you, Nicole.”
“Grandpa, this is what I should do. Otherwise, with your poor health, having to take care of Travis would be too exhausting.”
“Ah, my Nicole knows how to care for me. Come home another day, and I’ll have Ford cook something delicious for you.”
“Okay!”
After ending the call with William, Nicole quickly hailed a taxi on the street.
The car gradually left the bustling city, entering rough, uneven rural roads.
A dilapidated hospital sat beside the road.
After paying, Nicole got out, walking heavily into the hospital.
Guided by a nurse, she reached Room 206 and opened the door.
Helen lay quietly in the hospital bed, her head bandaged. Each step Nicole took felt like carrying a thousand- pound stone.
To help the patient rest, the hospital curtains were drawn
Clouds outside obscured the sun, making the room even darker.
17/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 27
Even in the dim light, Nicole clearly saw Helen’s swollen face and the medicated left hand.
Her eyes burned, her chest feeling tight. She turned away to compose herself.
“Nicole, you’re here… oh, why have you… come?”
A hoarse, choked voice came from behind her.
Nicole tilted her head back, quickly wiping away tears.
When she turned again, her face showed only cold indifference.
“I can rent you an apartment in the city center after divorcing Richard, and help you find a job.”
Hearing this, Helen immediately shook her head, tears streaming down, staining her bloody wounds.
“No, I can’t divorce. He’ll kill you! Nicole, I’m sorry. Don’t worry about me. I won’t blame you. Just go!”
“He won’t get the chance to kill me. I can report him to the police and have him imprisoned!”
“No, he will. He’s gone mad and will do anything for money Nicole, you’ve finally married into a good family. Don’t ruin your life because of him.”
Every time Helen remembered the punches Richard had thrown at her, she trembled uncontrollably. She couldn’t let her daughter get caught in this mess, couldn’t let Richard destroy her daughter’s life.
“I’ve divorced Travis,” Nicole’s calm voice rang out like a thunderbolt in the hospital room.
Helen turned her head with difficulty, eyes wide open, tears suddenly stopping.
“Did he find out about our family’s situation and divorce you? Did I drag you down?”
Seeing Helen’s devastated expression, Nicole’s heart ached. She took a deep breath and explained deliberately, No, you didn’t drag me down. I initiated the divorce myself
“Hmph, you’re just like your mother, cut from the same rotten cloth!” The hospital room door suddenly burst open. Richard stumbled in, reeking of alcohol, and pointed his finger directly at Nicole’s face, grinding out through clenched teeth. “You will immediately go back and annul your divorce!”
