Chapter 58: Why Are You Ignoring Me?

The next day, Livia accompanied Bronte to the city hospital for a series of tests. It was going to be a long wait since there were numerous exams and reports to process.

While Bronte went through her paces with the different medical procedures, Livia sat in the waiting area.

Only when you're in a place like this do you realize how many people struggle with fertility issues, the majority seemingly women who come alone, seldom accompanied by men.

Livia found it disheartening.

'It's strange that even though it takes two to make a baby, it somehow always ends up being the woman's fault.

'Failing to conceive, a child's bad behavior, poor school performance—it all seems to fall on the woman's shoulders as if men are somehow unrelated.

'It suddenly makes sense why Angelo is reluctant to tie the knot.Who knows what their own marriage will be like?'

It wasn't until late afternoon that Bronte received her reports. Because one fallopian tube was completely blocked and the other inflamed, conception would be difficult, and the risk of ectopic pregnancy was high. The doctor recommended tube removal followed by IVF.

Holding the report, Bronte sat rigidly in the chair, fighting back tears as her eyes reddened.

She clenched her lips in a forced calm, shaking her head at Livia. "I'm fine."

Livia couldn't fully empathize, but she understood how devastating this was for Bronte.

Embracing her gently, Livia's voice was strained with emotion, "It's okay, it's just a procedure, right? I'll be with you."

Unable to hold back any longer, Bronte started sobbing in Livia's arms.

The muffled sobs made Livia's tears flow as well.

In a hospital, you often hear crying.

People say hospital walls have heard more earnest prayers than any church.

Those who come here cling to hope.

After a while, Bronte wiped her tears and released Livia. "I'm gonna go wash my face."

"Sure."

Livia held Bronte's belongings, waiting by the entrance.

Suddenly, someone bumped into her.

The medical reports are scattered on the floor. The person who collided with her must have been in a hurry because they hastily apologized before rushing off.

Even with her emotions bottled up, Livia could do nothing but kneel down to pick up the scattered items on the floor.

Shiny dress shoes stood in front of a medical report as Livia reached out, only looking up after she had gathered the papers in her hands. Clutching the reports tighter, Livia took a deep breath and stood back up, unsure of the proper way to greet a person in such a situation.

She sidestepped, intending to find a new spot to wait for Bronte.

"A gynecological exam?" Angelo had glanced over one of the reports earlier and caught the type of examination, though he hadn't seen much else.

Livia put the items into her bag and offered him a polite, distant smile. "Yes."

Angelo narrowed his eyes. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing at all." Livia was cordial yet aloof, even taking a step back from him.

Observing her retreat, Angelo glanced outside with a scoff. He fixed his gaze on Livia. "I've underestimated you. You've got quite the nerve."

Confused, Livia looked back at him, not grasping his meaning.

"Don't you have anything to explain to me?" Angelo was losing his patience.

Livia’s brow furrowed slightly. "What’s there to explain?"

Angelo fumed, especially infuriated by her innocent demeanor. It was baffling how she could keep her composure.

Suddenly, a loud voice came from inside. "Family of Bronte! Is any family of Bronte here?"

Startled, Livia hurried inside, calling out, "I'm here!"

"Where did you go? She fainted!" The nurse chided Livia loudly. "Come quick, take care of her."

Livia followed the nurse swiftly to the emergency room, where Bronte lay on a gurney, her face ashen. Panic set in for Livia as she touched Bronte's hand, finding it cold.

"She'll be alright, just overstressed and a bit malnourished. She needs to rest up well at home," the nurse advised.

"Thank you," Livia said gratefully.

Sitting beside Bronte’s bed, Livia felt she should inform Rhodes about the situation. After all, they were married. If she hadn't mentioned it now, it would still have to be addressed later. He couldn't remain completely uninvolved with such a major surgery looming.

After hesitating for a moment, she dialed his number.

The phone rang for a while before someone answered.

"It's Livia."

"What's going on? Is there a problem?" Rhodes asked, his voice calm.

Livia gave a brief update on Bronte's condition. "I mean, if you have time, could you maybe take some time off to be with her?"

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone before he replied, "My job is swamped right now. I really can't find the time. Livia, please look after her these next few days, okay? Try to ease her mind. Tell her not to stress too much about it. If she really can't conceive, then we'll just have to accept that."

Livia understood the nature of his work and felt somewhat comforted by his response.

After hanging up the phone, she saw Bronte's eyes flicker open. "How are you feeling?"

Bronte shook her head slightly and sat up. "I'm fine."

"Rest a bit longer. We'll go home soon." Livia whispered, "I just called Rhodes and told him about your situation. He said not to stress so much about it. He wanted to be here with you, but he's tied up with urgent work."

Bronte attempted a small smile, but her eyes still betrayed her disappointment. "I understand."

Suddenly, Bronte's gaze shifted past Livia. "Mr. Bradley."

Livia blinked, momentarily forgetting about Angelo.

Turning around, she saw him watching her with a cold gaze.

'It's a small world for sure, running into him here. And I have no idea why he's at the hospital.'

Clearly, he didn’t seem inclined to let her off the hook easily.

However, Livia wasn't in the mood to sort out their differences, particularly with his intimidating presence, reminiscent of a collector waiting for a debt to be settled.

Livia stood up, ready to brush him off, "I can't deal with this today. If you want to talk, we can try tomorrow."

Angelo, with his hands casually in his pockets, narrowed his eyes slightly as if pondering her audacity. It seemed like an explanation was expected, but not from her—more like he was the one who had messed up.

"Livia, I'm fine now, really. Go with Mr. Bradley," Bronte interjected, knowing there was a misunderstanding between them. It had to be cleared up for anyone to have peace of mind.

Livia frowned at Bronte. "Mind your own business."

Bronte clamped her lips shut, realizing it was a lost cause trying to get through to her. Angelo glared at Livia, a fire smoldering in his chest. Had they not been in a hospital, he would have surely found a different way to release his pent-up frustration.

Sensing the tension, Bronte chose to remain quiet.

After a while, once she was sure Bronte was okay, Livia helped her out of the hospital, with Angelo trailing behind.

Livia was about to hail a cab at the curb, blatantly ignoring a particular person. Then Angelo's voice cut through the chill air from behind, "Why are you ignoring me?"