Chapter 15 Come Closer
The hospital room door swung open again.
It was Armando, and Sherry had come with him.
Sherry wore a white dress patterned with tiny flowers. Her delicate face was free of makeup, fresh and unadorned. She looked almost angelic.
Elizabeth glanced at them once before turning her gaze away, her expression unreadable.
Bronte's face remained composed. Her upbringing kept her from saying anything sharp.
Sherry held a small bouquet of wild daisies — Bronte's favorite. "Mrs. Johnson, I came to see you," she said, her voice tinged with polite awkwardness. "I just happened to run into Armando at the elevator."
Mindy hooked her arm through Sherry's. "Grandma, Sherry and I had already planned to visit you today."
Since they were younger relatives, Bronte would not send them away. She simply replied with a cool, "Ms. Scott, that's thoughtful of you."
Armando stepped to Elizabeth's side, his voice low and cool as he offered her a small loaf of bread. "Just got off the plane and came straight here. Eat something first."
It was likely Axel from Emerald Park had told him she was at the hospital visiting Bronte. Now Armando was playing the part of the attentive partner for Bronte's benefit.
Elizabeth accepted the bread with a faint smile. "Thank you."
He noticed the calmness in her face, and something flickered in his eyes.
Seeing Armando and Elizabeth apparently reconciled, Bronte let go of the irritation she'd felt upon seeing Sherry earlier. "Bread isn't enough. Remy, bring her some fruit."
Remy, who managed Bronte's daily needs, asked Elizabeth what she would like.
"An apple will be fine. Thank you, Remy."
Sherry's smile was warm. "Bronte, I'll be going now." She seemed to have truly come only to pay her respects.
"I'll go with her," Mindy added.
Sherry greeted Beatrix politely before leaving with Mindy.
Beatrix picked up her small handbag and stood. "You two stay here with your grandma," she said to Armando and Elizabeth, then turned to Bronte. "Mom, I'm heading out."
"In two days, the Johnson family will host a reception. You can introduce Elizabeth to the circle then."
That remark drew a faint shadow across Beatrix's face. The idea of presenting Elizabeth to society clearly displeased her, though she kept it hidden. "I understand, Mom. I'll arrange it."
Her gaze swept briefly over Elizabeth before she left the room. Whether it was Sherry or Elizabeth, Beatrix disapproved of them both.
Armando pulled a chair closer for Elizabeth, who sat without hesitation. Having him personally seat her was a public gesture of respect.
Her attitude toward him lacked the carefulness she'd once had, and that unsettled him in ways he couldn't name.
He took another chair for himself. "Grandma, you're being discharged tomorrow. We'll pick you up."
"No need. You carry on with your own things," Bronte said, then turned to Armando. "Don't just focus on work. Take Elizabeth to a movie, have dinner together… you'll always have enough money."
Bronte's concern for Armando was deep-rooted. As a child, his parents had left him to a nanny who turned out to be cruel. By the time Bronte discovered the abuse, his nature had already shifted — cool, guarded, shadowed.
She believed Elizabeth's capacity to love wholeheartedly could reach him. "Alright," Armando said. "I'll take her to a movie later."
Elizabeth stiffened at the warmth in his tone. He had never spoken her name like that before. It was almost uncomfortable.
"Go on, you two," Bronte waved them away. "No need to keep me company."
"We'll do as you say."
Armando and Elizabeth walked out side by side.
Bronte's smile faded, replaced by a trace of worry. "Remy, do you think they believe I'm too old to see through this?"
It was obvious to her they were pretending for her sake.
Remy, after twenty years of caring for Bronte, understood her concerns. "Mrs. Johnson, don't dwell on it."
Bronte shook her head. "I'll give them one more chance while I'm still here... when I'm gone, it won't be my problem anymore."
Elizabeth and Armando stepped into the elevator, standing apart, a clear distance between them.
Outside, Kade pulled the car up. The window was half open, and Sherry turned her head with a bright smile. "Armando."
Her earlier claim of coincidence was clearly a lie — she had come with him.
Kade opened the car door for Armando.
Elizabeth flagged down a taxi, but before she could get in, Armando called out. "Elizabeth, did you forget what Grandma said? Sit in the front."
She frowned. Wasn't this just for show? Did he actually intend to take her on a date?
The taxi driver leaned over. "You still want the ride?"
"Sorry." She closed the door and let the taxi go. "Don't you have plans with Ms. Scott? Or is this supposed to be a... trio?"
Armando's voice was flat. "Get in."
Kade opened the passenger door respectfully. Elizabeth slid in, unbothered — jealousy was not her burden anymore.
Armando glanced back at Sherry, whose expression had dimmed. "Sherry, I'll drop you at Imperial Garden. Elizabeth and I will go to the cinema and dinner, take some photos for Grandma."
Sherry's sadness eased at his explanation. She shifted closer to him. "Alright."
Armando looked toward the front seat, then pulled Sherry into his arms.
Elizabeth's face remained composed, as if she hadn't heard them at all. It was just a matter of taking some photos.
At Imperial Garden, Sherry paused before getting out, stole a quick kiss on Armando's cheek, and left.
Elizabeth caught the moment in the rearview mirror without comment.
Armando had booked the entire cinema. The seats were empty except for them.
"Move closer. We need the shot."
Elizabeth leaned in, though they didn't touch.
Holding his phone awkwardly, Armando tried to take a selfie. The result wasn't flattering.
"Closer," he muttered, frowning.
Photography was clearly not his strength. Elizabeth glanced at the screen — her face was caught at an odd angle, her usual beauty diminished. She pretended not to notice.
In leaning closer, their shoulders brushed. Armando became aware of the softness of her skin.
His cool expression tightened slightly.