Chapter 29 This Child, She Wants to Stay
Cordelia took a deep breath and headed down the stairs.
Robert was just showing an elderly woman into the living room, treating her with the utmost respect.
Cordelia stopped when she recognized the woman.
"Marigold."
It was Ruth's sister, Marigold Walsh.
Marigold showed no reaction when she saw Cordelia.
Cordelia pressed her lips together.
Marigold never really liked her.
In the three years since Cordelia married Alaric, she hadn't seen Marigold much, but every time she did, she could feel the disapproval.
Alaric got up from the couch, and Marigold immediately approached him with a warm smile, a stark contrast to the coldness she showed Cordelia.
"Marigold."
"Please, have a seat."
Alaric gestured for Marigold to sit.
Cordelia slowly descended the rest of the stairs and stood quietly to the side.
After Marigold sat down, she looked at Alaric. "Where's your grandmother?"
Alaric's expression was gentle.
"She's in the backyard. I'll go get her."
As he started toward the backyard, Marigold grabbed his hand.
"I need to talk to you. Let your wife go."
Cordelia's eyes dimmed slightly at Marigold's dismissive tone.
She looked up to see Alaric's deep eyes on her, his emotions unreadable.
"I'll go," she said.
Before Cordelia could head to the backyard, Ruth heard the commotion and came in from outside. She smiled when she saw Marigold.
"Marigold, what brings you here?"
Marigold walked over and took Ruth's hand, her face beaming.
"Alaric said you haven't been feeling well lately, so I came to stay with you for a while. What's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"
Ruth glanced disapprovingly at Alaric.
Alaric remained calm. "Haven't you been saying you're lonely? Marigold's here now, aren't you happy?"
Ruth knew exactly what Alaric meant.
Her face darkened slightly.
Marigold chatted cheerfully with Ruth.
Cordelia and Alaric had to go to work, so they said their goodbyes to Marigold and Ruth.
As they were leaving, Marigold looked at Alaric and Cordelia with a smile.
"Young folks don't like living with us old folks. Forcing them to stay might make them uncomfortable. They need some space."
Ruth glared at Alaric.
Alaric took the hint. "Grandma, with Marigold here to keep you company, Cordelia and I won't be coming back for a while."
Ruth huffed.
Cordelia naturally followed Alaric's lead.
The two of them left The Hughes Manor.
Cordelia sat in Alaric's car, staring out the window the whole way.
So, Alaric disliked living at The Hughes Manor even more than she did. That was why he invited Marigold to stay with Ruth, giving them an excuse to leave.
It made sense.
Living at The Hughes Manor meant Alaric had to come home every night.
Otherwise, Ruth would be displeased.
Alaric had been raised by Ruth, whom he cherished.
He naturally didn't want to upset Ruth and risk her health.
When they arrived at the hospital, Cordelia opened the car door to get out. As she closed the door, she remembered the bracelet she lost yesterday and was about to ask Alaric about it, but he drove off before she could.
Cordelia stood there, watching Alaric's car disappear, feeling conflicted.
Janet stood on the steps, observing the scene with a faint smile. She turned to the caregiver beside her and said, "Let's head back to the room."
The caregiver nodded quickly and helped Janet back to her room.
Cordelia rubbed her temples, trying to suppress her negative emotions, and entered the hospital.
She had two surgeries scheduled today and no time to dwell on her feelings.
When she finished her surgeries, the sky outside had darkened.
Back in her office, she found Alaric waiting for her.
She paused and spoke. "Here to ask about Ms. Martin?"
Alaric's eyes darkened.
"Didn't you know your dad is being discharged today?"
Cordelia was taken aback. "I know."
Alaric's expression was indifferent. "Your father asked me to bring you back to The Stone Manor for dinner."
He glanced at his watch.
He had been waiting in Cordelia's office for an hour, looking slightly impatient. He stood up and walked out of her office.
Cordelia's phone rang. Seeing it was a call from Evelyn, she answered while heading to the locker room to change out of her scrubs.
Alaric waited by the elevator.
Cordelia changed out of her work clothes and had just stepped out of the locker room when Janet's caregiver approached Alaric.
"Mr. Hughes, Ms. Martin fell during her rehab exercises and her wound seems to have reopened."
Alaric frowned and immediately headed to Janet's room.
Cordelia stood still for a moment, her expression calm. After a few seconds, she slowly walked to Janet's room.
Janet lay on the bed, her face pale, trying to reassure Alaric with a gentle smile despite her pain.
Alaric's eyes were dark and stormy.
"Come take a look."
He noticed Cordelia standing at the door and commanded.
Cordelia walked into the room calmly and lifted the blanket.
Janet's wound was just below her abdomen. Alaric immediately turned away.
Cordelia examined Janet's wound. "It's not serious. Just a minor tear."
Janet's lips were pale. "But it really hurts, Dr. Stone. Will this affect me in the future?"
Cordelia's expression was indifferent. "Hard to say."
Tears immediately welled up in Janet's eyes.
Cordelia adjusted her clothes and glanced at Alaric.
It seemed he wouldn't be able to leave.
Without saying anything, Cordelia left Janet's room.
Hannah was on duty tonight. Cordelia bumped into her just outside and gave her a few instructions.
Hannah glanced into Janet's room, where Alaric was sitting by Janet's side, comforting her. Hannah's expression showed a hint of disdain, and she whispered to Cordelia.
"Isn't your dad getting discharged today? He's not going with you?"
Cordelia remained calm.
"There's no way he can come with me like this."
"I can go on my own."
Hannah clicked her tongue at Cordelia's gracious words. "Typical of a woman from a wealthy family. Such poise. But if you don't care, you should deal with it quickly. Don't drag it out."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Hannah noticed her somber expression and paused. "You're not planning to keep the baby, are you?"
Her voice rose slightly and then lowered again.
Cordelia nodded gently, confirming her suspicion.
She was going to keep the baby.