Chapter 66: Can't Let Eric See Matthew
Nicole's POV
The pain from my wound woke me from the anesthesia.
I opened my eyes to see Hodgson sitting by the bed, with deep dark circles under his eyes.
He hadn't slept all night, staying by my side the whole time.
Seeing him like this, infinite sorrow welled up in my heart.
But I immediately warned myself that it was time to end this.
I couldn't fall any deeper.
Hodgson was now Molly's fiancé. I should completely give up hope and couldn't harbor any more attachment to him.
Faced with Hodgson's caring expression, I took the initiative to suggest we separate.
He flew into a rage, as expected.
Suppressing the heartache, I lied: "Yes, I have no feelings for you whatsoever."
Hodgson's face turned extremely bad.
"No feelings? Fine, very well!"
He turned and walked toward the door, slamming it angrily as he left.
"Bang!"
The tremendous sound of the door closing shook the entire ward and separated Hodgson and me.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but the heartache became even worse.
Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open again.
Eric walked in: "Miss Nicole, Mr. Hodgson has left the hospital. Tell me if you need anything."
Hearing that he had already left, I couldn't describe what I felt inside.
I raised my head: "How's Julie?"
"Julie is safe now, don't worry. Her leg injury has been treated as well."
A weight lifted from my heart.
"Eric, help me arrange a transfer to another hospital."
He froze: "What?"
I said calmly: "The Gerald family has a controlling stake in a private hospital. Help me transfer there. After that, you won't need to look after me anymore."
He stood there, his expression extremely conflicted.
Finally, he compromised: "Alright, I understand."
He was very efficient, completing all the procedures within half a day.
The car stopped at the entrance of the private hospital where Vera was staying.
Before getting out, Eric sat in the driver's seat, looking at me through the rearview mirror.
He seemed hesitant to speak.
"Miss Nicole, please wait a moment."
My movement to exit the car paused.
"I know this isn't something I should be telling you..."
He hesitated, "But I really don't want to see your relationship with Hodgson become strained."
I frowned: "What do you mean?"
"After you left the hotel, Mr. Hodgson was very anxious to find you. Because of you, he angered Mr. Barry and refused the arranged marriage with Molly in front of everyone."
I was utterly shocked.
"That... that's impossible!"
I felt my voice trembling.
"Hodgson would never agree to a marriage for so-called benefits and a woman. Don't you understand his feelings for you yet?"
My heartbeat became completely chaotic.
Could it be that Hodgson liked me?
No, I couldn't let my mind wander.
How could that be possible?!
Hodgson had clearly threatened me before, saying that even if he married Molly, he wanted me to be his mistress.
"Eric, I'm tired. I don't want to talk about this now."
I refused to discuss this matter further.
I didn't want to hear another word about Hodgson, didn't dare to have another thought about him.
He sighed and said no more, having two nurses place me in a wheelchair.
I was arranged in the ward next to Vera's.
Over the next few days, I recuperated in the hospital.
A few days later, Cathy came to visit me.
As soon as she entered, she started complaining.
"Oh my God, Nicole, how did you get such a serious injury? That bastard Shier doesn't even to come see you. It's too much!"
"It's okay, I'm used to it."
Cathy sat down in the chair by the bed and suddenly lowered her voice.
"By the way, have you heard? Wendy's situation has blown up!"
"What happened?"
"Someone posted photos of her in bed with another man online!"
"Now everyone in Astoria knows. Her reputation is completely ruined! She can only hide at home all day, not daring to go out. Shier has completely broken things off with her too!"
After being hospitalized, I had contacted Julie.
She said Hodgson had confiscated her phone, which had the photos of Wendy with Mark.
Julie took that photo because she knew Wendy and I didn't get along, and she originally intended to use it to get revenge on Wendy for me.
Unexpectedly, Hodgson did it first.
Now, Mark was dead, and I've returned the watch to Hodgson.
Hodgson probably won't find anything out, this matter is over.
What surprised me somewhat was that Matthew actually came to visit me and Vera too.
"Matthew?"
I sat up in surprise. "How did you get here?"
Matthew closed the door and quickly walked to my bedside.
His expression showed concern.
"What on earth happened?"
I hastily reassured him: "Matthew, I'm fine, really. The bullet didn't hit the bone. The doctor said I'm recovering well."
"Bullet?! Who did this?!"
I grabbed his hand: "It's complicated, but I've already dealt with it. You don't need to worry."
Matthew took a deep breath and sat down by my bed.
"Do you know how scared I was when I heard you were injured? I thought... I thought I was going to lose you again."
My eyes reddened too: "I'm sorry for making you worry."
He forced out a smile and picked up an apple, peeling it with a small knife.
"Don't worry, I specifically avoided Drake before coming. No one will find out I'm here."
Matthew was a very trustworthy friend.
He was very concerned about my injury and Vera's condition.
I told him about my experiences at the Gerald house over the past three years.
But I kept everything about Hodgson hidden.
Matthew listened quietly.
When I talked about being whipped by Doris, his hand peeling the apple paused, and the blade cut his finger.
"How dare she?!" His voice suppressed fury.
"It's all in the past." I shook my head, not wanting him to worry about me.
Matthew wrapped his wound with a tissue and asked about Vera's condition.
When he heard that Vera had been in a coma for three full years, his expression darkened further.
"You've been bearing all this alone for three years... and I couldn't do anything." He clenched his fists.
"But you're helping me now, aren't you? Matthew, you're already taking huge risks by going undercover at Percy Group."
Matthew nodded and said nothing more, just holding my hand.
With him by my side, I felt a long-lost sense of security.
We were talking when Eric's voice suddenly came from outside.
"Miss Nicole, are you there? I came to check on you."
My heart tightened, and I snapped back to my senses.
Why did Eric suddenly come to the hospital?!
No, I couldn't let him see Matthew!