Chapter 67: The Wrong Ones Are Those Who Stop Me
I spent over half an hour convincing Marcus to give up on teaching Lucas a lesson.
Marcus looked at me glumly, "You forgave him just like that, Bella. You're too kind."
I poured myself a glass of water and listened to Marcus muttering to himself things like "Bella's too kind" and "the kindest person in the family." I shook my head, "I already got my revenge on him."
"You just stabbed him once. The wound wasn't even half a finger long, didn't hit anything vital. It'll hurt for a month at most before it heals. But you suffered three years of neglect by his side!" Marcus curled his lip, "What kind of revenge is that?"
I could tell Marcus hadn't completely given up on the idea of teaching Lucas a lesson. I rubbed my temples wearily.
"Marcus, let me and Lucas handle things between us ourselves!"
I really appreciated my brothers' protection, but their interference made the emotional mess between Lucas and me even more complicated.
Marcus's eyes rolled around, and he raised both hands in surrender, "Fine, I'll let him off the hook for now—just this once."
Then Marcus and I chatted about whether his "trip" had gone smoothly. Marcus never revealed what missions he went on, and I only needed to know he wasn't hurt.
The next day was the day of Elias's surgery.
Elias's condition was in his lungs. The surgery was quite difficult. I'd practiced on simulation equipment over a dozen times before coming up with the surgical plan.
Roger's plan wasn't as good as mine. Though he wasn't happy about it, he still practiced seriously according to my plan.
I was originally just being responsible for the patient out of professional habit, but after working with Roger for a while, I realized he might be able to replace me—since I temporarily couldn't hold a scalpel—and become my hands.
Elias's surgery was a success.
Next, it was time to arrange Harold's surgery.
I didn't know how to face the Caldwell family, but they were even more awkward and ashamed than I was.
The afternoon before Harold's physical exam, Simon came to visit me alone.
He brought money and expensive gifts, hoping I would accept them. Otherwise, his family really couldn't feel at ease continuing with the treatment.
I only accepted the gifts. Taking money seemed too distant. I tried to reassure him, "Whatever happens between Lucas and me won't affect my relationship with you all. Harold will always be my grandfather."
After I said this, both Simon and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Maybe the Caldwell family only wanted to maintain a relationship with me to cure Harold, but I needed family so badly. I didn't want to lose them.
Simon's furrowed brow relaxed, and he chatted with me more comfortably. I asked him if he knew about Lucas's psychological issues. Simon looked confused.
The Caldwell family seemed completely unaware of Lucas's problems, or maybe they knew but didn't care. After all, there were too many people with mental issues in those gang families in Dawnharbor.
When examining Harold, Lucas came too.
Marcus had wanted to come with me, but I didn't dare let him and Lucas meet. I made up an excuse to send Marcus away.
Harold was as warm and kind to me as always, holding my hand and saying with concern, "You've gotten thinner, you look worn out."
But he was fierce toward Lucas.
"How dare you show up?" Harold waved his cane at Lucas, "Did you apologize to Bella?"
Lucas looked at me. His eyes had faint red veins, and his voice was slightly hoarse. "I did nothing wrong. I just wanted to see my own wife. What's wrong with that? The ones who stopped me are the ones who were wrong."
My first thought was: Thank goodness Marcus isn't here!
Simon and Lily wore expressions of speechless exasperation. Ashley and Arthur exchanged glances, spread their hands, and shook their heads with sighs.
Harold said, "You shameless bastard!"
I watched the blood pressure monitor—the numbers had been climbing ever since Lucas appeared and were threatening to go off the chart. I quickly urged Harold to relax.
Harold glanced at Lucas with disgust, "He'll be the death of me! The Caldwell family never hurts their own family. He doesn't deserve to have Caldwell blood in his veins!"
Lucas stood there expressionless, as if he didn't care. He'd put up thick armor, blocking out attacks and complaints, but also hiding himself deeply away.
I frowned and gave Ashley and Arthur a look.
Ashley and Arthur cleverly took Lucas by the arms and dragged him out of the examination room.
The test results were very positive, but Harold's mood was low.
He fell into memories, his expression dazed, his features clouded with melancholy, like a pitiful, lonely old man.
"My wife passed away fifteen years ago, and I still can't let go. We had a good relationship. We fought when we were young, but we never imagined spending the rest of our lives without each other. Then death separated us."
Harold's eyes grew moist. He lay on the examination bed, tilting his head to look at me.
"I also lost two children. When will Lucas understand that if you don't cherish what you have, you can't get it back once it's gone?"
I patted the back of his hand gently. Patients of his age were especially fragile.
"Maybe Lucas has always resented me," Harold said. "His mother insisted on marrying Donald against my wishes. She was unhappy after marriage, but couldn't divorce. I watched her suffer day by day, and even though I knew Lucas wasn't doing well, I deliberately ignored it, as if that could punish Donald. I was wrong. If only I'd brought him back from the Valeri family sooner."
Harold slowly fell asleep under the effect of the medication.
I gave Simon and Lily some instructions, then walked out of the examination room.
The hallway was very quiet. This kind of quiet wasn't normal at all.
After all, Ashley and Arthur were like energetic puppies. Unless they were sleeping, keeping them quiet for five minutes was like suppressing their nature.
There was a hint of tension and anxiety in the quiet atmosphere. I suddenly had a bad feeling. I looked around and didn't see any of my brothers coming to make trouble, so I breathed a sigh of relief. Then I met Jonas's eyes.
"Jonas?" I asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"
"Came to visit Harold." Jonas smiled and walked up to me, handing me a bouquet of beautiful sunflowers. "And to ask you which day you're planning that meal you promised me? I moved to Starstream City several days ago and kept waiting for you, but you never came, so I had to come find you myself."
I held the bouquet somewhat awkwardly, "I was planning to message you today or tomorrow. Have you already moved? Congratulations on your new place!"
Because Jonas always joked about pursuing me, and his jokes contained some real feelings, I felt a slight resistance to having dinner alone with him. But I was afraid that if I invited my brothers along, they'd try to set us up.
So the dinner invitation got delayed until now. This was really rude of me.
"Then come to my place today!" Jonas invited enthusiastically, "I checked—you don't have other plans tonight. We can go to the supermarket together now, buy ingredients, and then at my new place, let me try your cooking!"
Jonas smiled as brightly as a sunflower.
Lucas's face was dark as a storm cloud. Ashley and Arthur stood tensely beside him, as if Lucas were a cruise missile about to launch.
"Bella, you won't refuse me, will you?" Jonas looked at me pitifully.
I thought that continuing to avoid this wasn't the answer. I smiled at him slightly, "Of course not."