Chapter 18
Diana stood off to the side, watching Dahlia's performance, and felt her blood pressure spike.
She'd planned to play matchmaker between her cousin and Dahlia today, score some points with him—who knew this woman was flat-out lying?
What fiancée? What engagement? Her cousin didn't acknowledge any of it!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She shot Dahlia a venomous glare.
Dahlia flinched under her stare, her smile nearly slipping.
The atmosphere in the hospital room stretched tight as a wire about to snap.
Barney coughed, set the peeled apple on a plate, and stepped in to smooth things over. "Ms. Douglas, it's kind of you to visit Hayden. He just fell asleep—maybe you should head home and come back another day?"
Dahlia seized the exit opportunity and forced a smile. "All right, I'll visit him again soon. Reginald, I'm leaving now."
Just as she reached the door, a hoarse cough came from the bed.
"What's all this racket..."
Hayden's eyes opened. His gaze swept the room, landed on Dahlia's retreating figure, then slowly shifted to Reginald's face.
"Uncle Hayden, you're awake." Diana hurried over, plastering on a smile. "Look who came to see you—Dahlia from the Douglas family. She came all this way just for you."
Reginald glanced at his cousin. That look cut like a blade.
He spoke, his tone flat. "Dad needs to rest. You should both leave."
Diana's smile froze on her face. She wanted to say something, but that icy stare choked off every word.
She grabbed Dahlia's sleeve and the two of them filed out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Diana's furious hiss echoed down the corridor.
"Dahlia, what the hell was that?"
Before Dahlia could react, Diana yanked her into a corner.
"You told me you were his fiancée, made me bring you here, and now look what happened." Diana's face flushed crimson. She stomped her heel in frustration. "Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? The way Reginald looked at me—I'm definitely getting an earful when I get home!"
Dahlia bit her lip, her voice turning pitiful. "I didn't lie. The engagement is real—both families agreed to it. Reginald probably... just forgot."
Diana let out a cold laugh. "Forgot? Did you see the look on his face? He flat-out denied it! Stop putting on an act. Don't drag me into this kind of mess again!"
She turned on her heel and strode off, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. She didn't spare Dahlia another glance.
Dahlia stood alone in the empty corridor, twisting the fabric of her skirt until her knuckles turned white.
She lifted her head and stared at the closed hospital room door. The hurt in her eyes slowly faded away.
So what if Reginald didn't acknowledge her?
The engagement existed. That was her biggest bargaining chip.
Once she married into the Lancaster family and became Reginald's wife, then—
She took a deep breath, turned, and walked away. Her steps were steadier than when she'd arrived.
Inside the room, Hayden sat propped against the headboard, his complexion pale.
"Damn it!" His voice was raspy, edged with anger. "Are you trying to kill me?"
Reginald stood by the window, silent.
"You're engaged to the Douglas girl. Both families agreed to this years ago. You're not getting any younger—it's time to settle down. How many years do I have left? Can't you give me some peace of mind?" Hayden's voice rose as he clutched his chest and coughed violently.
Barney quickly dropped what he was holding and rushed over to rub his back. "Hayden, don't get upset. The doctor said you can't afford to get worked up."
He soothed Hayden while shooting Reginald a pointed look. "Reginald, look at the state your father's in. Just drop it for now. Whatever it is, we can talk it through calmly. Don't upset him."
Hayden gasped for air, glaring at Reginald. "I'm asking you one thing. Are you marrying her or not?"
Reginald turned around and looked at his father on the bed. He paused for a moment.
"I don't want to upset you," he said calmly. "But I won't marry her."
Hayden's face turned beet red. His hand trembled over his chest. "You—!"
"Hayden! Don't get upset—" Barney caught him, shooting Reginald another urgent look. "You should go. I've got this. Just leave. Now."
Reginald glanced at his father once more, said nothing, and walked out.
The door closed softly behind him. The corridor was quiet.
He stood outside, his expression blank, unreadable.
Barney peeked through the crack in the door, sighed, and turned back to care for Hayden.
Inside, Hayden's breathing gradually evened out.
Barney poured him a glass of water, handed it to him, and tucked a pillow behind his back to make him more comfortable.
"Hayden, let it go," Barney said gently. "You know what Reginald's like. The more you push, the harder he digs in. This can't be rushed."
Hayden took a sip of water and let out a long sigh. He leaned back against the pillow, his gaze distant.
"I'm not pushing him."
His voice was hoarse, laced with exhaustion. "I'm just afraid I won't live to see him settle down. The Lancaster family—all this responsibility—he's carrying it alone. He doesn't even have someone who truly understands him by his side..."
"Hayden, you're in good health. Don't talk like that." Barney cut him off. "The doctor said once you're fully recovered, you'll have another twenty years, easy."
Hayden grunted and didn't respond.
After a moment of silence, Barney spoke again, this time with a hint of a smile. "Hayden, actually, there's something I wanted to run by you."
"What is it?"
"I'm thinking of setting up Samuel with someone."
Hayden turned his head, surprised.
Samuel Lancaster—Barney's son, vice president of the Lancaster Group's medical technology division. Twenty-seven years old. Talented, successful—everything you could ask for. Except he still hadn't settled down.
Barney smiled and straightened in his seat. "Do you remember that young woman who came to see you yesterday? The one who examined you and prescribed medication?"
Hayden's brow lifted slightly. A spark of interest lit in his eyes.
"I remember."
His voice softened involuntarily. "That girl had such a lovely face—fresh and clean. Just looking at her made you feel good. I was half-asleep at the time, but even then, I could tell she was special."
Barney nodded, his tone reflective. "Hayden, she saved my life. That day at the research facility—if it hadn't been for her, you wouldn't be seeing me today."
Hayden froze. "That was her?"
"That was her." Barney gave him the short version of what had happened. Hayden's expression shifted from shock to admiration, and finally, he nodded repeatedly.
"Good. Very good." Hayden said the word twice, and for the first time, a trace of a smile appeared in his eyes. "That girl's got skill and guts. The whole research team couldn't handle the situation, and she solved it single-handedly. A girl like that—she's worthy of the Lancaster family."
He paused, then let out a sigh tinged with regret. "If Reginald weren't already engaged to the Douglas girl, I'd want her for my daughter-in-law. Such a fine young woman. What a shame. What a shame."
Barney chuckled. "Hayden, if she marries Samuel, she'd still be your niece-in-law, wouldn't she? Same thing."
Hayden blinked, then caught on. His eyes brightened.
A girl like that, if she really married into the Lancaster family...
His smile deepened.