Chapter 66: Why the sudden change?

Mr. Harrington stormed down the hospital corridor, his jaw tight with frustration. Richard had treated him with cold indifference, as if he were nothing.

The humiliation burned deep, but he wasn’t going to let it slide.

He needed to regain control.

When he reached Cara’s ward, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. Cara was sitting up on the hospital bed, arms crossed over her chest, her expression a mix of annoyance and boredom.

She barely glanced at him before saying, “Dad, you won’t believe who my doctor is.”

Mr. Harrington’s brow furrowed. “Who?”

Cara scoffed. “April.”

His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise. “April?” he repeated.

“Yes. Can you believe it? She’s a surgeon now. And apparently, she’s one of the best in this hospital.” Cara rolled her eyes. “It’s like a sick joke.”

Mr. Harrington sat in the chair beside her bed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

April… a surgeon?

He had underestimated her. The last time he had seen her, she had walked away from everything—her family, her marriage to Richard, even the privileged life she had once known.

Yet, somehow, she had built a career for herself. And not just any career—she had become someone important.

His lips curled into a small smirk.

Interesting.

“Cara,” he said smoothly, “I think you should let April perform the surgery.”

Cara’s head snapped toward him, her face twisting in disgust. “What? Are you serious? Why would I do that?”

“Because she’s the best in this hospital,” he said simply. “Do you really want to put your health in the hands of someone less qualified?”

Cara scoffed. “I don’t trust her. Who knows? Maybe she still hates me enough to mess up my surgery.”

Mr. Harrington shook his head. “That would be unprofessional of her, and I highly doubt she would risk her reputation for revenge. But even if you don’t trust her, think about this, Cara—April is back. And that means we need to keep her close.”

Cara frowned. “What do you mean?”

Mr. Harrington leaned forward. “We don’t know why she’s here. Why now? What does she want? She disappeared after the divorce, and now she suddenly shows up as a respected doctor? We need to know everything.”

Cara pursed her lips, tapping her nails against the blanket. She hated to admit it, but he had a point.

“If you refuse the surgery,” Mr. Harrington continued, “you’ll only be pushing her away. But if you allow her to do it, she’ll be forced to interact with us. We can watch her every move.”

Cara exhaled sharply. “Fine. But I’m not doing this because I trust her—I just want to see what she’s up to.”

A slow smile spread across Mr. Harrington’s face. “That’s my girl.”

Then, as if remembering something, he added, “Oh, and you won’t believe who I ran into earlier.”

Cara arched her brow. “Who?”

“Richard.”

Her expression shifted instantly—her lips parted slightly, and her brows drew together. “Richard?” she repeated. “Where did you see him?”

“In this hospital,” he said, watching her closely. “He was heading out with his bodyguards.”

Cara blinked in surprise. “Richard was in the hospital?”

Mr. Harrington nodded. “I tried speaking to him, but he barely acknowledged me. Same as always—cold, distant, arrogant.” His expression darkened.

“I have no idea what he was doing here, but seeing him again made me realize something.”

“What?”

Mr. Harrington smirked. “April is back. Perhaps he was here to even see her and that means you have a second chance.”

Cara’s eyes narrowed. “A second chance?”

“To get Richard,” he said smoothly.

“You told me before that no matter how hard you tried, he never noticed you the way you wanted him to. But now, with April back in the picture, things have changed.”

Cara stared at him, processing his words.

For years, she had tried to get Richard’s attention. She had broken up with April’s ex-boyfriend just to pursue him.

She had attended every event he was at, tried to start conversations, even acted sweet and charming—but it never worked. Richard had always been indifferent to her.

But now…

If April was back, maybe there was a way to use her.

A slow smirk formed on Cara’s lips. “You’re right.”

Mr. Harrington chuckled. “Of course I am.”

She leaned back against the pillows, her mind racing. If she played her cards right, she could use April to get what she wanted.

Richard would finally see her.

And this time, she wouldn’t let him slip away.

Mr. Harrington stood up. “I’ll go inform the nurses that you’re ready for surgery.”

Cara smirked. “Good. Let’s see what happens next.”

Meanwhile, in April’s Office,

April was finishing up paperwork when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called.

A nurse stepped inside, offering a polite smile. “Dr. Harrington, your patient Cara has agreed to proceed with the surgery under your care. Her father asked us to inform you.”

April’s pen paused mid-air.

She hadn’t expected that.

After the way Cara had reacted earlier, she was certain her stepsister would refuse.

Why the sudden change?

April quickly composed herself and nodded. “Thank you. Start preparing her for surgery. Let me know once everything is ready.”

The nurse nodded and left.

April leaned back in her chair, letting out a slow breath.

She wasn’t looking forward to this surgery. Not because of the procedure itself—she had done countless surgeries before—but because of who the patient was.

She and Cara had never been sisters in anything other than name. Cara had taunted her for years, made her life miserable, and sided with their father every time.

April had left the Harrington family behind for a reason.

And now, somehow, she was being pulled back in.

She had a bad feeling about this.

But she was a doctor, and her duty was to her patients, no matter who they were.

Still, something about Cara’s sudden agreement felt off.

April had learned the hard way never to trust anything when it came to the Harringtons.