Chapter 423 Mr. Windsor, It Was Just an Accident, No Need to Take Responsibility
The two of them embraced each other.
They held each other silently, soaking in the joy of knowing Nicole could have surgery. In that moment, their bodies and souls were in perfect sync.
After a while, the heat of their sweat cooled.
Oliver lowered his head and kissed her lips, his voice husky as he asked, "You and Jeremy..."
He wanted to know how far they had gone.
Men always care about that.
But as the words reached his lips, he realized he had no right to ask, so he swallowed them back. Yet, Sarah understood his meaning.
She lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting delicate shadows under the crystal chandelier, adding a touch of elegance to her face. Her voice was calm as she said, "Oliver, what just happened doesn't mean anything."
"After today, let's pretend it never happened."
She acted as if she didn't care.
Oliver's forehead veins throbbed with anger. He wanted to strangle her, but he couldn't tell if she was being truthful or not. Had she and Jeremy really been together?
Sarah's smile faded further. "Whether I was with him or not has nothing to do with you! Oliver, our bodies are our own."
He was so infuriated that he cursed, unable to stop mentioning Jeremy's name.
"None of your business."
Sarah didn't explain, nor did she need to.
This encounter was just an accident, and it wouldn't happen again. She couldn't have any emotional entanglements with him.
She put on her robe, picked up her wet clothes, and headed for the door.
As she grasped the doorknob, she spoke softly, "Meet in the hotel lobby in half an hour."
Oliver didn't respond.
His deep eyes followed her retreating figure, his throat moving up and down.
After a while, he picked up a pack of cigarettes and pulled out a white one.
When Sarah returned to her room, she ran into Nicholas at the door.
His expression was much more relaxed, indicating that he already knew about the match.
He looked at Sarah in her robe, his usually gentle voice now slightly hoarse. "Did you get back together with him?"
He didn't call her "Auntie."
His tone carried a casualness that only peers have.
Sarah didn't notice. She looked down at her dripping clothes and said softly, "No! It was just an accident between adults."
Nicholas's gaze deepened.
He didn't dwell on the issue for long and nodded slightly. "Then pack your bags. We're heading back to Evergreen City immediately."
Sarah responded with a soft "Mm."
She swiped her card to enter the suite, and as soon as she closed the door, she leaned against it.
She was a woman, too.
She had once loved and hated Oliver so passionately. She said it was just an accident, but in truth, she couldn't be that carefree. Even though her heart raced when they embraced, she was unwilling to fall into his emotional trap again. Those wounds weren't easily forgotten.
Sarah tilted her head back, took five minutes to calm down, and began packing.
She was determined.
So, when they returned to Evergreen City, her attitude towards Oliver was slightly more relaxed but still cold and distant, nothing like two people who had just shared an intimate moment.
Oliver, being who he was, understood.
He guessed that she regretted being with him and was using her attitude to tell him that nothing had changed.
Throughout the journey, his gaze on her was dark and unreadable.
They rushed back to Evergreen City, not even stopping at home, and went straight to the hospital.
The attending physician confirmed the bone marrow match but requested to speak with Oliver alone.
Oliver was taken aback.
He then told Sarah and Nicholas, "I'll talk to the doctor. You two go and see Nicole. It's been a few days since you last saw her."
Sarah didn't suspect anything.
But Nicholas's gaze deepened.
After they left, Oliver closed the door and turned to the doctor, his expression calm. "Dr. Ward, just say what you need to. It's fine."
Dr. Roy Ward hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Windsor, I reviewed your recent physical exam report. You donated part of your liver a year ago. Although your liver has regenerated, your overall health metrics still don't meet the criteria for bone marrow donation. I must tell you that if you donate, your immune system might become unbalanced, and your health could collapse like a house of cards. This would be irreversible. In other words, this donation carries significant risks."
Roy knew that Nicole wasn't Oliver's biological child, so he was particularly thorough.
He wanted Oliver to consider carefully.
After all, people are inherently self-interested. No one is expected to sacrifice themselves for someone else.
Oliver's gaze was intense. "What if I don't donate?"
Roy replied softly, "If we don't find a suitable bone marrow soon, she might not make it past six months. Even if we find a match later, her body might not be strong enough for the transplant. Mr. Windsor, please think it over carefully."
"No need to think. I'll donate."
"And don't tell my wife... I mean, Ms. Miller."
Roy nodded. "Mr. Windsor, rest assured."
Oliver left the office.
He walked to a deserted part of the hallway and lit a cigarette, smoking quietly.
The sky was filled with rolling clouds, and the wind was picking up.
He thought about many things. In fact, he didn't understand why he agreed to donate without hesitation despite the risks. As the doctor said, he had no blood relation to Nicole. He had even strongly opposed Sarah adopting Nicole initially.
But now, he was willing to risk his life to save her.
He knew it was for Sarah.
If something happened to Nicole, she would be heartbroken for life.
But if something happened to him, she would cry for a month or two, mourning her lost youth and deceived feelings. After that, she could start a new life with their two children.
Yes!
If he died, she could still start over.
Oliver crushed the cigarette butt and smiled bitterly.
But when he entered the hospital room, he was full of energy. He brought Nicole a giant Stella Lou doll, and the shop owner had thrown in a pretty little dress.
Nicole loved it and was very happy.
She hugged the doll and nestled in Oliver's arms, sweetly calling him "Daddy." Oliver stroked her soft hair, his gaze full of affection.
Sarah pretended not to care.
Claire, always quick to speak her mind, said eagerly, "Starting tomorrow, I'll make Mr. Windsor some pork soup. The doctor said you need to replenish what you're lacking! Mr. Windsor, you'll be going into surgery soon. It's like going to battle; you need to be well-prepared!"
Oliver was speechless. "Claire, where did you learn that?"
Claire replied confidently, "From a war movie I watched recently. The main character said it, and he did a great job. His romantic scenes weren't as good as yours, though, Mr. Windsor."
Isabella burst out laughing.
She pulled Sarah aside and whispered, "Did you get back together with him? You two seem different. Sarah, don't hide it from me. A woman's intuition is always right. I think something's going on between you two!"
Sarah was washing a small apple.
She didn't hide it from Isabella and spoke softly, "In Vesper City, something did happen. But it doesn't mean anything. I won't have any emotional ties with him again."
Isabella nodded understandingly.
After a moment, she added, "I overheard Dad talking to Vaughn the other day. Dad still seems to appreciate Oliver. Sarah, we only live once, but love isn't limited to one chance. No matter what you decide, I'll support you unconditionally. We women shouldn't live for men. We should follow our hearts. Whether it's love or not, being with someone who makes you happy is what matters."
Sarah smiled faintly.
"You really think that way?"
Isabella, in a good mood, teased, "Just don't let Vaughn hear that! He's quite the tormentor when he wants to be. Don't be fooled by his usual serious demeanor; he can be quite a handful."
They were close, and Sarah couldn't help but hold Isabella's arm.
By the door, a small gap was left open.
Oliver stood there, his face somber, who knows how long he had been standing there.
He quietly left.
In the afternoon, Sarah left the hospital, planning to return to the Moore Mansion.
In the parking lot, just as she was about to open her car door, the window of the car next to hers rolled down halfway, revealing Oliver's sharp profile. He called out to her softly, "Get in. I need to talk to you."
Sarah turned and looked at him.
After a moment, she got into his car, sitting in the passenger seat beside him.
Oliver stared straight ahead.
He took out a cigarette and slowly lit it. He turned to Sarah, and his voice was gentle. "Does it still hurt? Did you get any medication? We didn't use protection back then."
He brought up that incident in Vesper City right away.
Sarah felt a bit overwhelmed, turning her face away, her voice breaking, "I took care of it."
He nodded, smoked half the cigarette, then turned to her profile and shared his thoughts. "Sarah, I'll donate the bone marrow, but I have conditions."
Conditions...
Sarah turned sharply, her voice tense, "Oliver, I won't come back to you!"
"I know."
He stubbed out the cigarette and smiled bitterly.
He continued, "I know you won't come back. My condition is that I want custody of Nicole and for her to take the Windsor name. From now on, she'll be my daughter, Nicole Windsor... Jacob's sister."