Chapter 115 Chapter 94 (2)
"Padre has no comments," the man replied coldly. "Your mother's words last night already represent my opinion," his father continued flatly. "But Al, there's one thing I want to know."
Altezza tensed up, looking at his father with a pounding heart. "Do you love Adaline?" his father inquired.
Altezza furrowed his brow, looking at his father in confusion. "Why are you asking that?"
Benjamin shrugged. "Just my curiosity as a man," he replied flatly. "Answer me, Al. Do you love Adaline?"
"I..."
"Well, if you're still unsure, I won't say much. But act like a husband, Al. However she's the woman you chose to be your wife. Respect and honor her. Resolve what needs to be resolved. I won't oppose any decision you make in the future," his father replied, then walked away, leaving his son behind. Altezza fell silent, trying to digest the meaning of his father's words.
Altezza followed his father downstairs. The man walked to the dining table, sat down, and turned on his tablet while the household assistants prepared breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone," a greeting came from the front door. Altezza saw Gian arriving in his work attire. He approached Sir Benjamin and gave him a brief hug.
Shortly after, Delila, Emma, and Violet also emerged from their rooms, looking fresher and having changed into new clothes. They entered the dining room together, and still, Altezza didn't see Adaline.
It seemed like the question about his wife's whereabouts slipped out of his mouth unintentionally. Because everyone seemed to look in his direction. But none of them gave him an answer.
They started breakfast in silence, finishing the ritual quickly. Unlike usual, which was always filled with light conversation.
"Do we need to take breakfast from here?" Delila was the first to break the silence.
"No need. Adaline didn't ask for it either," Violet replied.
Delila nodded, and the three middle-aged women simultaneously stood up from their seats. Gian also rose from his seat, while his father was still engrossed with his tablet.
"Can someone tell me where Adaline is?" His question froze the movement of the three middle-aged women.
Gian looked at his cousin incredulously, his mouth wide open. "Do you know something, Gian?" He asked his youngest cousin.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Gian retorted harshly. Altezza frowned, looking at Gian displeased. "You don't know that your wife is hospitalized?" he countered with an accusing tone.
"Hospital?" Altezza was stunned and immediately stood up from his seat.
"Enough, Gian. He's too busy taking care of his ex-wife that he forgot his legitimate wife," Mrs. Delila replied, now pushing Gian's body towards the outside of the house.
"Mamma. Can you please explain?"
"I don't have time," his mother replied without intending to turn even the slightest bit.
Altezza looked at his father, asking for an explanation, but his father was as cold as his mother.
"Padre?" Sir Benjamin raised his head from the tablet and looked at his only son.
"Your wife was taken to the hospital shortly after you left to see your ex-wife," his father replied coldly, and Altezza felt his body go limp instantly.
"Which hospital?"
"The same hospital where your ex-wife is being treated," his father replied again, then stood up and left him.
Meanwhile, at the hospital.
Adaline's POV
Someone entered. I tried to sharpen my hearing. But who? Haven't everyone left? I asked everyone to leave earlier.
I opened my eyes and saw the figure in front of me. He walked holding the IV pole. And he was wearing the same clothes as mine.
"Quite surprised to see you here," he said with a mocking smile on his face. The woman was no longer pretending to be friendly as before.
I press the button on the side of the bed, adjusting my position to half-sitting so I can clearly see her face.
"Are you feeling better?" I ask, genuinely curious. I glance at the bandage wrapped around her wrist, and reflexively wince in sympathy. The cut must have been painful. Judging by my reaction, she sneers mockingly.
"No need to pretend to care about me, Adaline," she replies sharply.
I simply smile. If she can respond like that, it means she's alright. At least I don't have to feel guilty.
"Now, what about you? Are you still holding onto your beliefs and refusing to let Altezza choose?" she asks again, trying to remind me of our previous conversation.
I'm not ready to answer her question yet because I have one for her too. "Can I ask you something?"
"Just ask," she replies curtly.
"Do you love Altezza so much that you're afraid of losing him?"
Yes, I thought that might be the reason why this woman in front of me has challenged death not just once, but twice, because she loves Altezza so deeply and doesn't want to lose him.
But it seems my guess is wrong. Because instead, the woman sneers and looks at me with disdain.
"Love is just nonsense, Adaline," she says plainly. "As an adult woman, you should know that."
I try not to appear surprised. Okay, Jovanka doesn't really love Altezza. She's just obsessed and wants to have Altezza for herself. Now I just need Altezza's answer before I make any further decisions about our relationship.
"So, are you still not going to let Altezza choose?" She also seems curious about my answer, repeating the same question.