Chapter 24 What Is Their Relationship Exactly?
On the way to the hospital, neither of them said a word.
Cordelia was absorbed in her work messages, mostly about tasks and schedules. She barely looked up from her phone, missing the dark, brooding glances Alaric cast her way through the rearview mirror.
They arrived at the hospital.
Cordelia put away her phone and got out of the car.
One of the patients she was co-managing had developed complications and was currently in the emergency room.
She needed to get there as soon as possible.
Hannah arrived at the hospital at the same time, quickly walking over to Cordelia, and they both headed inside.
Alaric watched her rush into the hospital, completely ignoring him as she left, his face darkening.
Janet was being helped out of bed by a new caregiver.
Seeing Alaric's car pull up, her face lit up, but she couldn't walk quickly because her wounds still hurt with every step.
She moved slowly with the caregiver's help, her eyes widening as she saw Cordelia get out of the back seat, looking momentarily stunned.
Cordelia and Hannah walked in together, Cordelia giving Janet, who was being helped by the caregiver, a brief, indifferent glance.
Janet must have seen her getting out of Alaric's car, which explained her shocked expression.
The elevator doors opened just in time, and Cordelia stepped inside without explanation.
Hannah was discussing the patient's condition with Cordelia.
Cordelia listened quietly, glancing up to see Alaric entering the hospital.
His expression was uneasy, clearly having noticed Janet and rushing in to explain.
As the elevator doors closed, Cordelia looked away and continued discussing solutions with Hannah.
Once out of the elevator, Cordelia focused on her work.
Alaric was about to drive away when he noticed a bracelet on the back seat through the rearview mirror.
The hospital had a rule against medical staff wearing any jewelry, so Cordelia always took off her bracelet and put it in her bag before entering the hospital.
She must have been distracted by the messages and didn't realize the bracelet had fallen onto the seat instead of into her bag.
Alaric stopped the car, grabbed the bracelet from the back seat, and went to return it to Cordelia.
He had seen her wear this bracelet many times; it was clearly important to her.
Inside the hospital, he saw the caregiver helping Janet stand in the lobby.
Cordelia stood calmly in the elevator, listening to someone speak beside her, her expression serene and unbothered by Janet's presence.
Alaric's face darkened.
Janet bit her lip. "Alaric. You drove Dr. Stone to the hospital?"
Alaric gave her a brief, indifferent look.
"Why are you downstairs?"
Janet looked obedient. "Dr. Stone said I could start moving around a bit. If I stay in bed too long, I might develop adhesions in my uterus, which could affect my chances of having a baby in the future."
Alaric nodded slightly, glancing at his phone.
"I need to get to the office. Take care."
He said coldly as he turned to leave.
Janet noticed the bracelet in his hand and quickly spoke up.
"Alaric, is that Dr. Stone's bracelet? I can give it to her for you."
Alaric looked at the bracelet in his hand, his eyes cold. He put it in his pocket. "No need."
With that, he walked away.
Janet watched him leave, biting her lip hard.
The caregiver, sensing her displeasure, didn't dare make a sound.
"Ms. Martin, shall I help you back to your room?"
Janet nodded.
Cordelia was busy from the moment she entered the department.
There were many patients lately, and Cordelia had been assigned several new ones.
After organizing all the patient files, she finally took a moment to rest and sip some water in her office.
Just as she put her cup down, Janet walked in with the caregiver's help.
"Dr. Stone."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. "Come in."
Janet slowly made her way to a chair and sat down.
She immediately told the caregiver, "I'd like to speak with Dr. Stone alone."
The caregiver nodded and left.
Cordelia watched Janet calmly, her expression unchanged as she sorted through some files.
Janet stared at Cordelia for a while before speaking.
"Dr. Stone, I saw you get out of Alaric's car this morning. Did Mrs. Hughes ask him to pick you up?"
Cordelia paused, looking up at Janet. "Mr. Hughes didn't explain it to you?"
Janet hesitated, then spoke softly.
"Alaric explained, but I didn't quite believe him. So I wanted to ask you."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe him but you trust me? Aren't you afraid I might stir things up?"
Janet bit her lip. "It's not that I don't believe him at all. I just wanted to hear your side too."
Cordelia tapped her fingers lightly on the patient files on her desk.
"Ms. Martin, I'm very busy. If it's not about your health, please don't disturb me, okay?"
Her voice was gentle but firm, leaving no room for refusal.
Janet looked embarrassed, speaking softly. "I didn't mean any offense, Dr. Stone. Sorry for overstepping."
She stood up and slowly left Cordelia's office.
Cordelia watched her leave, sitting in her chair for a long time before returning to her work.
Janet didn't bother her about Alaric again.
Before Cordelia finished her shift, she did her rounds and entered Janet's room. Janet greeted her warmly as always.
"Dr. Stone."
Cordelia nodded slightly, gave Janet a few instructions, and was about to leave when she saw Alaric coming out of the bathroom.
So, Alaric had been here all along.
Cordelia raised an eyebrow but said nothing, turning to leave.
Janet called out to her with a warm smile.
"Dr. Stone, are you off soon?"
"Alaric is leaving too. Since you came with him this morning and didn't drive yourself, you can leave with him."
Alaric glanced at Janet.
Janet smiled softly. "Alaric, are you finding it inconvenient?"
Cordelia watched their interaction, her expression calm, and declined.
"No need."
"Someone's picking me up."
Dominic had some connections with Kevin and had arranged to meet him and Evelyn for dinner to resolve a land dispute in the west suburbs.
Kevin was a notorious playboy in Shadowpine and had always been interested in Evelyn.
Cordelia, worried, decided to go along.