Chapter 236

"Vincent." Gloria quickly composed herself, glancing casually toward the door.

Vincent walked in, carrying breakfast. "Breakfast is ready. Eat it while it's hot."

As he passed by Sebastian, Vincent paused. "Mr. Windsor, since you showed up uninvited, don't expect any hospitality."

With that, Vincent walked over to Gloria, set the tray down, and helped her sit up a bit more.

Gloria thanked him, her expression much softer than when she had been speaking to Sebastian.

Seeing this, Sebastian's eyes darkened.

"Are you two done talking?" Vincent asked.

Sebastian replied, "No."

Gloria's voice followed immediately. "We're done. Please show Mr. Windsor out."

Vincent felt a sense of relief. It seemed Gloria was truly ready to cut ties with Sebastian.

He walked over to Sebastian. "Mr. Windsor, please."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, looking past Vincent to Gloria. "Come back with me."

Gloria paused in her eating. "I think I've made myself clear earlier."

She met Sebastian's gaze. "I have my own place now. You don't need to worry about where I live."

Sebastian's face darkened, a dangerous aura surrounding him, just like that day at the prison gates.

Gloria could almost predict what he was going to say next.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Instead of worrying about me, you should focus more on yourself and Ms. Jones. After last night's news broke, I'm not the only one affected. You have your own problems to deal with, and Ms. Jones's mental state needs attention too."

If you ignored her expression and tone, Gloria's words seemed to be for Sebastian's own good. But everyone present knew the underlying sarcasm.

"I won't go with you, and I won't be threatened by you anymore. Everything I said earlier still stands. I hope you can let us both go." It had been a long time since Gloria had looked Sebastian in the eye so calmly. Before, every time they made eye contact, she felt a mix of emotions—fear, anger, or pleading.

But today, looking into Sebastian's eyes, she felt nothing but calm, like a still pond without ripples.

Sebastian noticed the change in her eyes, his pupils narrowing slightly.

When he spoke again, his tone was more forceful. "I'll say it one more time. Come back with me."

Gloria's smile grew lighter. She could tell that Sebastian knew his threats no longer worked on her.

This time, she had won.

She lowered her gaze and didn't respond.

Vincent stepped in, blocking Sebastian's view of her. "Gloria is fine here with me. She doesn't need your fake concern. If Mr. Windsor doesn't want to leave, our hospital might have Ms. Jones's medical records and her contact information. I don't mind having Ms. Jones come and ask you to leave herself."

Sebastian withdrew his gaze from Gloria, his eyes landing on Vincent, his displeasure almost palpable.

Vincent remained calm, a distant smile on his lips, his gaze equally strong.

The two men stood off for a long moment.

Until Sebastian's phone rang.

He took out his phone, about to hang up, but paused when he saw the caller ID.

"It seems Mr. Windsor has something to attend to. Please, go ahead." Vincent stepped forward, holding the door wide open.

Sebastian frowned, glancing at Vincent, then at Gloria sitting on the bed, cruelly shattering their pretense. "Ms. Russell said everything she just told me was true. I doubt it. You don't have feelings for them, but you know exactly what they think of you. Don't tell me you can't see it."

With that, seeing Gloria's expression change dramatically, Sebastian turned and left the room.

As he passed Vincent, he gave him a mocking look.

Vincent's smile faded, his lips tightening slightly.

He waited until Sebastian's figure disappeared into the elevator before closing the door and turning back to the room to collect Gloria's dishes.

At the doorway, he paused, thinking of something.

Inside, Gloria unconsciously clutched the blanket tighter, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

Separated by a door, both knew the other was there, but neither spoke first.

Finally, Vincent walked in casually. "What do you want for lunch? I have to go to the hospital later, so I'll ask the housekeeper to make it."

He didn't look at Gloria, heading straight to the bedside to pick up the tray.

Gloria tightened her grip. "Vincent."

Vincent stopped, his back showing a hint of resignation.

Gloria looked up, her eyes full of apology. "Sebastian was right. I've always known, but I didn't want to face it. I'm sorry."

She didn't know how to express her thoughts to Vincent.

Vincent turned, placing the tray back down, and sat by the bed, his gentle eyes on her face. "I know."

Gloria was surprised.

She had guessed Vincent might know, but she hadn't expected this reaction.

It left her even more at a loss.

Vincent smiled gently. "I never intended to hide it. It would be strange if you didn't know."

Gloria felt burned by the warmth in his eyes, her gaze involuntarily avoiding his.

"If you knew, why are you still so good to me?" She felt despicable, ignoring his feelings just to keep someone who was kind to her. Anyone else would have avoided her.

Vincent asked softly, "Did you think Sebastian didn't know your feelings back then?"

Gloria's eyes flickered. "That's different."

Vincent and she were not the same.

Back then, she acted on impulse, doing whatever she thought of, and ended up with that outcome.

Vincent was mature and rational, always considering everything. So, whatever happened between them must have been within his expectations.

Gloria remembered the scene when Vincent said goodbye before going abroad.

That was the Vincent she remembered, sensing a mistake and withdrawing in time, not like now...

Vincent looked at her and sighed helplessly. "Why is it different? We grew up together. My feelings for you are no less than yours for him. It's the same love. What's different?"

Gloria couldn't bear to listen anymore.

Vincent's feelings seemed much heavier than hers.

"If there's a difference, it's that we have more than just love between us." Vincent smiled, patting her head. "Even if you never accept me, we can step back and return to our original relationship. You don't need to feel burdened by this. I never expected anything from you."