Chapter 26 The Name She Never Expected
"You really don't want to know who I am to Mr. Robinson?" Mabel asked, her tone teasing as she waved for the maid to bring her a glass of juice.
The maid returned with the drink, her posture perfectly respectful. Elizabeth noticed the deference and filed it away without comment.
"So who are you to him?" Elizabeth raised a brow.
Seeing that Elizabeth refused to be baited, Mabel's eyes glinted with mischief. "Poor Mr. Robinson… you're not jealous at all. A woman who doesn't get jealous simply doesn't love a man."
"I'm jealous deep down," Elizabeth replied flatly, without any real feeling behind the words.
Timothy had just stepped into the room and caught her answer. He crossed to her, leaned down, and tilted her chin upward. "Seriously?" His voice was low, amused.
He knew she wasn't. She might like him, but love was still far away.
Mabel, sensing Timothy's presence, immediately grew more restrained.
Timothy took Elizabeth's hand. When she tried to pull away, his grip tightened. He toyed with her fingers and glanced coolly at Mabel. "Why haven't you gone back to Border Ridge City?"
"I ran away from home," Mabel said without a hint of shame.
Timothy ignored her and turned to Elizabeth. "She's my father's third wife."
Elizabeth blinked, uncertain she'd heard right. His father, Manuel, had married a third time? Mabel was so young… and Manuel had to be in his fifties or sixties.
Timothy added quickly, "My father's… self-indulgent. I'm not like him. I'm faithful."
"That's debatable," Mabel cut in with a sly smile. "Elizabeth, Timothy was quite the favorite among the girls in Border Ridge City. Back when he worked there as a doctor, they'd book appointments just to see him, even if they weren't sick. He got so tired of it that he moved to another city."
Elizabeth pictured the scene—healthy girls lining up for checkups just to flirt—and imagined Timothy's exasperation. She smiled.
"I'll have someone take you back to Border Ridge City later," Timothy said evenly.
Mabel shifted the subject without protest.
When Elizabeth and Mabel talked, Timothy found himself excluded. Their conversation revolved around things girls liked, and Elizabeth didn't seem to care whether he was involved. With a sigh, he retreated to his study.
Once he was gone, Mabel stuck out her tongue and collapsed onto the sofa, tilting her head toward Elizabeth. "One more thing… I'm Timothy's cousin."
Elizabeth paused. Nobility had complicated ties, and she knew better than to ask for details.
While they were talking, Armando sent Elizabeth the name of a hospital and a room number. Her heart lifted. She wanted to see Quinton right away.
"Mabel, we'll talk another time. I need to go out."
"Can I come? If not, that's fine. I'm just bored." Mabel blinked innocently. She was only half-serious—if Elizabeth refused, she wouldn't push.
Elizabeth thought for a moment, then nodded. "Wait here." She went to the study to find Timothy.
He didn't ask for details when she told him she was going to the hospital to see Quinton. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.
She shook her head, her happiness obvious.
Armando received word from the hospital that Elizabeth had arrived. He glanced at the time—barely an hour had passed since he'd sent her the address. A flicker of irritation crossed his face.
Mabel had never seen a man as striking as Quinton. Outside the room, Elizabeth spoke with the doctor about his recovery. Inside, Mabel couldn't stop staring at the white-haired man in the bed.
Quinton gave a small, resigned smile. He'd been stared at before. "Miss Simpson, would you like some fruit?"
Mabel startled, realizing she'd been caught. She shook her head quickly. "No, thank you."
Elizabeth returned, her expression bright. "Quinton, the doctor says you'll be discharged soon."
Quinton's smile was warm. "Thank you, Elizabeth." His gaze dropped to her injured hand, the one held in a splint. He'd seen the news and knew how she'd been hurt. He also remembered the recent rumors about Armando and Sherry.
"Miss Simpson, may I speak to Elizabeth alone?" he asked.
Mabel flushed but wasn't foolish. She nodded and stepped out.
Elizabeth sat down, arching a brow. "What is it, Quinton?"
"Elizabeth… are you and Armando all right?" His voice was gentle. "Don't lie to me. I've been out of touch for a while. He used me to pressure you, didn't he?"
Her mind flashed to the memory of being handed over to Michael. She kept her voice calm. "We won't be together. Not for more than six months."
Quinton hated himself for dragging her into this.
"I'm happy," she said softly, brushing a hand over his white hair. "As long as you're safe, I'm happy."
She would never forget the day they'd been so hungry they scavenged for discarded food, only to be attacked. Thirteen-year-old Quinton had shielded her with his body, his blood running down her face.
Quinton's smile was tender. "If you're happy, I'm happy."
Visiting hours were limited, and Elizabeth planned to stay until the last minute. Mabel didn't leave either. They ended up playing cards. The loser had to wear sticky notes on their face.
Elizabeth's injured hand slowed her down, and she lost more than once. Soon her face was covered.
Timothy called. Elizabeth blew at the note stuck to her nose and answered. "What is it?"
"I'm at the hospital entrance with your medicine," his voice drawled.
Elizabeth peeled the notes off her face and headed out. Timothy handed her a bag. "Medicine and water."
"Thank you," she said.
He reached out and plucked the last sticky note from her forehead. Her cheeks warmed—she'd walked all the way downstairs with it still there. His mouth curved into a grin, and he pressed the note back onto her forehead. "A very unique hairpin. I'll be going."
Elizabeth returned to the hospital with the bag. In the elevator, she ran into Quinton's attending physician.
"Mrs. Johnson, it's fortunate Mr. Johnson's bone marrow matched Quinton's. Otherwise, he might still be waiting."
The bag slipped from Elizabeth's hand. Her eyes widened. "Who donated the marrow?"
The doctor looked surprised. "Mr. Johnson. You didn't know?"
Elizabeth bent to pick up the bag. For reasons she couldn't name, her chest tightened and her eyes burned. "Thank you for telling me."
Once, she might have assumed Armando had done it out of love for her.