Chapter 85

Layla did everything from start to finish just for Stella. She knew that if she didn't do it, Howard's little bit of affection for Stella wouldn't be enough to support their marriage.

So donating a kidney, which wouldn't kill her, and seeing her daughter happily married to Howard and having children, was no big deal.

"If Margaret causes trouble again next time, I definitely won't let her off!"

Hearing her daughter's words, Layla glanced at her, "Don't focus all your energy on Margaret. You should think more about your relationship with Howard."

Now that she had donated the kidney, the matter was settled. Even if Howard still had feelings for Margaret, he couldn't go against his agreement with her.

Margaret walked out of the hospital and was about to hail a cab home when she saw Howard catching up to her and grabbing her arm.

"Margaret, I'm sorry. I didn't know my aunt would talk to you like that."

Howard had called Margaret over today, thinking she might be concerned about his aunt, but he didn't expect Layla to speak so harshly.

But Margaret found his words quite amusing.

"We've known each other for so many years, don't you know she never liked me?"

Howard was at a loss for words. He knew it, but he hadn't thought much about it. Besides, he wanted to see her, even if it meant using any excuse.

"Forget it, you should go back."

Howard wanted to say more, but Margaret frowned helplessly and took a step back, "You should be getting married to Stella by now, right?"

Margaret hadn't come here without learning anything. She knew Layla wouldn't donate a kidney to Hazel for nothing. There had to be some benefit, and she figured it had to do with Layla's daughter, Stella.

So it was likely that Layla used the kidney donation as a reason to push Howard to marry Stella, especially since Stella had been saying that Howard wanted to break up with her recently.

Hearing this, Howard's steps faltered, and his face turned a bit grim. After a long silence, he said helplessly, "Margaret, I'm sorry."

He didn't want to give up. He wanted to stay with her, but Layla had donated a kidney to his mother and used it to force him to marry Stella. Otherwise, she wouldn't give the kidney to his mother.

Although he wanted to find another suitable kidney, his mother's condition was already quite bad. If she didn't have surgery soon, her life could be at risk.

So seeing a kidney right in front of him, all he had to do was agree, and his mother would be saved. As a son, he couldn't refuse Layla's request.

But he didn't want to give up on Margaret, so he had been conflicted for a while, not knowing what to do. Now hearing Margaret reveal the truth, he found it hard to accept.

"Margaret, can you give me some time?"

He thought that if he could find a way to divorce Stella after marrying her, he could still be with Margaret. He just needed Margaret to give him more understanding during this time.

But Margaret looked at him in surprise, as if he were talking nonsense, "Why should I give you time? What does your situation have to do with me?"

These words made Howard purse his lips. Every time he talked to Margaret, she would try to distance their relationship, making him feel uncomfortable.

Margaret didn't want to entangle with him any longer and turned to leave.

Howard wanted to chase after her, but his steps were rooted to the ground, as if he had grown roots.

He knew he had no right to chase after Margaret now, nor to ask her to wait for him. He could only stand there in frustration, watching Margaret get further and further away.

After Margaret left, she saw John packing a burger for Layla at a nearby food stall. She walked over and patted John's shoulder, "John, I'm heading home now."

John turned to look at her, his eyes full of guilt, "I'm sorry, Margaret. I apologize on Layla's behalf. She just has a harsh way of speaking. Don't take it to heart."

Over the years, Margaret had gotten used to Layla talking to her like that. So although it stung a bit earlier, she quickly adjusted and didn't dwell on it.

"Don't worry, John. I won't get angry over this."

John sighed in relief, "That's good. Have you eaten? I can get you something too."

Margaret felt a pang in her heart seeing John still treating her so kindly, but she shook her head, "No, I'll eat at home."

John didn't insist and watched her get into a cab and leave.

When Margaret got home, she was surprised to find Leonard already back from the hospital, with dinner already prepared on the table.

Margaret was surprised and asked while changing her shoes, "Did you make these dishes or order takeout?"

Leonard glanced at her without speaking, but the strange silence made Margaret realize he couldn't have made them himself.

"Why are you home so early today?"

As they sat down to eat, Margaret casually asked, and Leonard replied, "There have been fewer surgeries these past couple of days."

His job was like that. When there were no surgeries, he had more free time, but when there were surgeries, he could be busy all day.

Margaret nodded, then suddenly thought of something and looked at him, "Can I discuss something with you?"

Leonard didn't expect her to use such a serious tone, so he put down his utensils and looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"If you have to go on a business trip in the future, can you let me know in advance? I don't want to be home alone not knowing where you are."

Margaret had tried to contact him multiple times over the past week, but he either didn't answer or didn't reply to her messages. She had no idea where he was and had been worried for a whole week.

She didn't want this to happen again.

Leonard pursed his lips. He hadn't intentionally kept her in the dark, but the conference schedule was tight, and he had checked his phone less than ten times in a week.