Chapter 526 Kenna's Refusal

Chapter 526 Kenna's Refusal

Kenna followed Ambrose out of Brooks' ward. They walked in silence until they reached the hospital entrance, where Ambrose's car was already waiting.

Ambrose pressed his lips together, unsure of what to say. He was just going to leave.

"Ambrose," Kenna called out suddenly, stopping him in his tracks.

"Yeah?" He turned to face her.

"After you go back to Phoenix City, will you come back to Stonebridge?" She asked.

"Probably not," Ambrose replied. "Brooks seems to be recovering well. Once he's discharged, my parents will take him back to Phoenix City to continue his recovery. I won't need to come back to Stonebridge anymore."

"So, you're just going to leave me here alone," Kenna murmured, her voice soft but piercing.

Ambrose felt a sharp pain in his chest. He clenched his jaw, unable to respond. Silence was his answer.

What was she expecting? He had told her he was only putting up with her. Once he left, it would be over.

"Safe travels," Kenna said, forcing a smile. She turned to leave, understanding enough.

Ambrose watched her walk away, her figure small and lonely. It made his heart ache, like he was really abandoning her. His fists trembled with the urge to hold her, but he forced himself into the car.

Kenna still had Brooks; she wasn't truly alone.

Kenna walked for a while before stopping. As she was about to re-enter the hospital, she glanced back. If Ambrose hadn't left, she would have stopped him, found an excuse to hug him. But he was gone, the car had disappeared, and he really didn't care.

Tears streamed down Kenna's face. She thought she could bear it, thought she could hide it, but her heart hurt too much. She couldn't control it. It took her a long time to calm down.

When Aurelia called her, she adjusted her emotions and returned to the ward.

Seeing Kenna return, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had all been worried she might leave with Ambrose. But Kenna never went back on her word. Even if she had stopped Ambrose, she wouldn't have left with him. She would have made him wait for her to come back.

"Did Ambrose leave?" Aurelia asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Yeah," Kenna replied.

"He's got a lot on his plate with the Valois Group. It's good for him to go back early. Brooks is much better now, so we don't all need to stay here," Aurelia said, trying to comfort Kenna.

She had raised Kenna for so many years and could easily see that Kenna was feeling down.

"Yeah," Kenna nodded, managing a faint smile.

"Dad, Mom," Brooks spoke up, "you've worked hard these past few days. Why don't you go back and rest? I'm out of the ICU now, and the doctors say I'm fine. I just need to stay a few more days for observation before I can be discharged."

"Alright," Aurelia agreed, feeling reassured by Brooks' improvement. She also sensed that Brooks wanted some alone time with Kenna.

"We'll head out then. Kenna, please take care of Brooks," Aurelia said, though it was more of a directive than a request.

"Okay," Kenna nodded.

Brooks felt a bit happier hearing Kenna agree.

Leopold sighed as Aurelia pushed him out of the ward. He wasn't thrilled with the arrangement but seemed resigned to it.

After they left, only Kenna and Brooks remained in the ward.

"Want some fruit?" Kenna broke the silence.

"Sure, thanks," Brooks replied.

Kenna picked up a pear and carefully peeled it. Brooks watched her, feeling content.

When she finished peeling, she cut the pear into small pieces and placed them in front of Brooks. "Eat slowly."

"Aren't you having any?" Brooks asked.

"I'm not hungry."

Brooks didn't push it. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. For a moment, it felt like the confident man he once was had returned.

Kenna didn't know if it was because of her. She just sat silently beside him, watching.

When Brooks finished the pear, Kenna naturally took the plate away and handed him a napkin.

Their interaction felt natural and warm, at least to Brooks.

"Kenna, I won't let you down," Brooks said.

Kenna's hand trembled slightly as she held the napkin. She remained silent.

"Mom said you heard Ambrose's attitude towards you that day," Brooks continued, not wanting to beat around the bush. "I told you before, Ambrose isn't serious about you."

"That's between me and Ambrose," Kenna said, clearly uncomfortable.

Brooks didn't take it to heart. He thought Kenna was still hurt or that her pride was wounded, which made her unhappy.

"I'm sincere about you. I won't hurt you like Ambrose did. I've decided that you're the one for me, for life."

"Brooks," Kenna looked at him.

Brooks looked back at her with deep affection.

"I don't have feelings for you anymore," Kenna said slowly.

The joy in Brooks' eyes froze instantly. He looked at Kenna coldly.

"Even if Ambrose and I have no future, you and I have no future either."

"Kenna, are you still being stubborn?"

"I'm just being clear. We're in the past. I don't want to deceive you or myself." Kenna laid it out plainly.

"So, all the kindness you've shown me these past few days was just an act?"

"I told you, I see you as a brother. I just want my brother to get better, nothing more."

"I don't believe you," Brooks insisted. "Kenna, you're just confused by Ambrose. Once you calm down, you'll realize that the person you love has always been me!"

"I'm very calm, and..." Kenna was cut off by Brooks.

"Then do you dare to date me again?" Brooks stubbornly asked.

Kenna was taken aback.

"Kenna, I won't give up. I don't believe you love Ambrose and not me. You're just angry, angry that I left without a word back then, and you want to teach me a lesson. Unless you date me again! Just for six months. If after six months, you still don't love me and want to be with Ambrose, I'll let you go!"