Chapter 154
The incident happened too suddenly. It wasn’t until Mrs. Yazmin couldn’t see the car’s taillights anymore that she fully reacted. She worriedly asked Simpson, “Joseph’s complexion looks terrible, is he going to do something to Luzia?”
“Of course not,” Simpson thought to himself, “I’m just keeping Luzia as a hostage.” Outwardly, he calmly reassured Mrs. Yazmin, “Aunt, don’t worry, Joseph probably just has urgent matters.”
“If you’re really worried, I can go find Alajos now,” Simpson took his coat from the servant, politely bid farewell to the Giulia siblings, “I’m sorry for the terrible experience, I will compensate you.”
“This was just an accident, please don’t mind it,” Giulia considerately said, “You can go attend to your matters, we will manage ourselves.”
Simpson once again expressed his apologies to her and left the villa.
After Simpson left, Mrs. Yazmin also gathered herself to continue entertaining the guests. Although the family gathering had dwindled down to just the three of them, the time together was still pleasant.
On the way back in the car, Giulia’s brother fastened his seatbelt and said to Giulia, “It seems that Los Angeles is not very friendly towards Houston.”
Giulia smiled, “I thought you had noticed that a long time ago.”
Giulia’s brother shrugged, cautiously saying, “After Kamden’s death, Los Angeles has been too generous towards Houston. I need to rule out the possibility of them putting on a show.”
“Have you ruled it out now?” Giulia asked.
“Yes, the situation might be more favorable to us. Giulia, your dream might come true,” he said.
Giulia smiled but didn’t say anything.
Her dream was not to become Simpson’s wife.
…
At the hospital.
Vivian received a call from Luzia.
“Back to Los Angeles? Now?”
“Yes,” Luzia said sadly on the phone.
This was too sudden for Vivian to accept. “Why? Have you already left?”
“Joseph has an urgent task,” Luzia held the phone with both hands, stealing a glance at Joseph in the gap between speaking. Joseph’s grim face made her very uneasy, but she dared not reveal anything to Vivian. “We’ve already left and are on our way to the airport.”
Luzia lowered her gaze, focusing on the pattern at the hem of her skirt. “I’m sorry, Vivian, I couldn’t say goodbye to you in person.”
“It’s okay, Luzia, this is not something we can decide,” Vivian held the phone, not knowing how to comfort Luzia.
A deep sense of powerlessness spread silently at both ends of the line, and Vivian dared not speak again, afraid it might make Luzia sadder.
The call was ended in silence between the two, leaving Vivian slumped on the hospital bed, her hand hanging weakly.
She stared blankly at the pure white sheet on her, catching sight of something out of the corner of her eye, she looked up dazedly.
It was Mare.
He didn’t know how long he had been standing at the door, whether he had heard her talking to Luzia on the phone.
The question had just arisen when Vivian inexplicably knew the answer.
“Did you hear?”
Mare nodded expressionlessly.
The light from the door fell on him, casting shadows on his features.
Vivian felt inexplicably sad and her eyes grew warm.
“Luzia has left,” Vivian looked out of the window, gazing at the high sky. The city she had once been determined to return to, she could no longer go back to, but Luzia, who did not want to stay there, couldn’t escape.
Different fates, but equally ridiculous and sad.
Vivian was very sad, for Luzia, and for herself.
“Will we meet again?” Vivian didn’t know if she was asking Mare or herself.
“We will meet again,” Mare gave her an answer, “We will definitely meet again.”
Mare sounded very sure.
Vivian also admired Mare’s confidence, she really wanted to ask Mare where his confidence came from, but she didn’t want to ask, she wanted to believe in Mare’s confidence.
Or rather, she unwillingly refused to think about the consequences of this confidence not becoming reality.
Vivian was going to visit Shelley next door. She put on her clothes, just as she walked out of the ward, she saw Mrs. Celinda pushing Shelley in a wheelchair out of the elevator.
This time shouldn’t be for an examination.
Vivian greeted Mrs. Celinda, and Shelley weakly greeted her too.
Mrs. Celinda looked a bit tired, but still maintained her elegance, “Are you resting well? Are you used to sleeping? I’m sorry, Shelley is always so willful, living nextdoor to you must have been very disturbing.”
“I’m resting well, Mrs. Celinda, and I’m happy to keep Shelley company,” Vivian followed them into Shelley’s ward.
Mrs. Celinda said, “Shelley was frightened, and I’m worried about her, so I’ll stay here with her these nights.”
Vivian nodded, understanding Mrs. Celinda’s feelings.
“Are you okay, Shelley?” Vivian sat by Shelley’s bed, looking at her, “How are you feeling today?”
Shelley’s spirits were still a bit low, and her face was very pale. When she got off the wheelchair and onto the bed, she accidentally pulled at her wound, causing her to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.
She smiled weakly at Vivian, “I’m fine, Vivian.”
Vivian wanted to say “You’re not fine at all,” but when she saw Shelley’s despondent look, she swallowed the words.
“The doctors are all professionals, you must listen to them and rest, you’ll be better soon,” Vivian said.
Shelley nodded. Everyone who came to visit her would say the same thing, and she would respond in the same way, as if there were no better or more reassuring response.
Most importantly, her mother was also by her side. Shelley couldn’t let her worry any more.
Vivian hesitated whether to tell Shelley about Luzia’s return to Los Angeles. Even if she didn’t say it now, Shelley would find out later. But telling her now would make Shelley feel even more upset. Before Vivian could finish hesitating, Shelley sensed her dilemma and spoke first, “Do you have something to tell me?”
Vivian was taken aback. Was she too obvious, or had Shelley become more sensitive?Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
“Yes,” Vivian nodded.
“Then why don’t you say it?” Shelley asked.
“Because…” Vivian sighed, “I’m afraid it will upset you.”
Shelley smiled, and Vivian could tell that her smile was weak and helpless.
Shelley almost mockingly said, “I don’t know what else could make me more upset right now.” What else could be more upsetting than knowing for sure that she had once been abandoned by her most beloved father?
Nothing, Shelley thought.
“Shelley…” Vivian held her hand tightly, hoping to give her some strength.
Shelley gave her a grateful look and forced a smile, “Just say it, what’s the matter that’s making you so uneasy?”