Chapter 17 When Daniel Bled for Her
Alice stepped forward, her expression tinged with hurt.
"Scarlett, are you still upset about what happened last time? I'm sorry… Since the pregnancy, I'd been weaker. Food barely tempted me, my hands trembled, and then one day I found myself on the ground, not even sure how I'd fallen. That's what made Daniel think you pushed me. He cares so much about the baby. Scarlett, I want to apologize to you again—properly. Will you forgive me?"
Alice was slender, her face bare of makeup, features not striking in isolation but arranged in a way that was quietly pleasing. Her face carried the kind of unguarded softness that made people second-guess their own cynicism.
Right now, her face was full of sincerity. Anyone else might have softened. Scarlett only saw the sharp edge of malice hiding behind it.
Scarlett hated that look. She remembered the first time they met.
Alice had walked into the Brown Mansion's living room holding Thora's hand. She'd hugged Scarlett without warning, then pulled back quickly, stammering an apology.
"Scarlett, I'm sorry… I got your dress dirty. I didn't mean to."
Scarlett hadn't even processed what was happening before Thora stepped forward, cradling Alice protectively and glaring at her.
"Mom, who is she?" Scarlett had asked, confused why Thora was holding another child.
Alice had trembled like a startled bird. "Scarlett doesn't like me… I'm sorry, I'll leave…"
Thora had lifted Alice into her arms, her voice sharp as a knife. "Don't call me 'Mom' again. I'm not your mother."
Years had passed, and Alice hadn't changed at all.
Scarlett's lips curved faintly. "Alright then. Bow."
Alice froze. Scarlett's tone was pure mockery.
"Come on… You insisted on apologizing. If you don't bow, it'll feel like you're not even sincere."
Alice's eyes reddened. She turned toward Daniel, silently pleading.
Scarlett followed her gaze, her own eyes clear and cold as they met Daniel's.
Daniel's gaze was heavy. Scarlett was wearing a pale yellow dress today, her long golden hair clipped up loosely, two soft strands falling against her cheek. The sunlight caught her skin, making her look even more delicate.
She sat beside Ramon, the breeze lifting the hem of her dress so it brushed against the fabric of his suit trousers. She looked like a quiet, dutiful wife.
Scarlett had been gone for eight days. That night she'd jumped onto a stranger's motorcycle—apparently that didn't count. Now she was delivering homemade lunch to Ramon.
Daniel's gaze drifted to the lunchbox. The scent of sweet-and-sour eggplant rose up, its golden edges still glistening. It wasn't fancy, but it took time—and she'd clearly spent it.
His brows tightened, the sharpness in his features deepening.
"That day, I was wrong about you. It had nothing to do with Alice. You slapped her already—don't keep pressing your advantage."
Scarlett's chest tightened. She didn't even know what she'd been hoping for… Maybe that Daniel would be different from Thora. How ridiculous.
Before she could speak, Ramon stood.
"Mr. Wilson, that's not right. Scarlett has every right to let off steam. Alice is the one who started all this."
Daniel's gaze shifted. Their eyes locked, the air between them sharp enough to cut.
Daniel's lips lifted slightly. "Dr. Meza, what happens between my wife and me is not for outsiders to meddle in. Scarlett, come here."
His eyes found hers again, dark and unflinching. He lifted a hand toward her, palm open.
Scarlett stared at that hand, her pulse thudding in her ears. It felt as if her heart had been caught in a fist.
He'd said marriage was about caring for each other. But did he truly care for her? And if he did… what was Alice to him?
Yet there was something in his voice, in the weight of his gaze… something that tugged at her, pulling her closer without a single step.
Before she could move, Alice slid between them, her tone tight with urgency.
"Daniel, Dr. Meza… please, don't fight. I'll apologize to Scarlett."
She bent forward, but the moment was shattered by a voice slicing through the air—raw and furious.
"Ramon! You damned doctor! You let my son die! You owe me his life!"
A man in a black shirt surged forward, steel flashing as he yanked a knife from beneath his clothes. His arm swung wild and fast.
Scarlett's back was to him. She turned instinctively, catching the gleam of the blade as it carved a silver arc toward her face.
"Daniel! Help me!"
Alice screamed. Somewhere in the chaos, Daniel moved.
Scarlett's stomach dropped, her body locking tight. Her mind emptied to white noise. She shut her eyes, bracing for pain.
It never came.
Instead, a force slammed into her side, dragging her out of the blade's path. She stumbled into a wall of warmth.
The scent hit her instantly—crisp, like pine on a frozen ridge—steadying her in the storm.
Scarlett looked up, disbelief flooding her. For one suspended heartbeat, she was the only thing reflected in Daniel's eyes.
"Scared you, didn't I? It's alright now."
His hand smoothed over her hair, his voice low, almost tender.
Her heart hammered against her ribs, unsure whether it was his touch or the fading rush of adrenaline that made it race.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding tight.
Across the room, Alice was in Tom's arms. She turned her head and saw them. Just minutes ago, she'd thrown herself at Daniel—and he'd pushed her aside without hesitation. If Tom hadn't caught her, she didn't want to imagine how she might have landed.
She knew that if she hadn't stepped between Daniel and Scarlett earlier, he wouldn't have bothered to push her away. His eyes had been locked on Scarlett alone.
Now, watching them cling to each other, jealousy burned hot in her chest.
She moved quickly, voice pitched high. "How can a hospital allow someone like that inside? Thank God Daniel pushed me away! Oh my God… Daniel, you're hurt!"
Scarlett blinked, pulling back just enough to see the tear in his right sleeve. The fabric was ripped, blood blooming against the white shirt beneath.
Alice caught his arm, tears spilling fast.
"This is my fault… If you hadn't shoved me out of the way, you wouldn't be hurt…"
So he'd made sure Alice was safe before saving her. The wound… was for Alice.
"Scarlett, are you alright?"
Daniel had kicked the attacker back, but the man had tried to rise again—until Ramon stepped in, twisting his arms behind him and holding him down until security arrived.
"I'm fine. Ramon, you—" Scarlett began, but Daniel's hand clamped around her waist, fingers pressing just hard enough to make her catch her breath.
Security called Ramon away to handle the aftermath. He gave Scarlett an apologetic look.
"His son had terminal brain cancer. Surgery wasn't possible anymore. Yesterday he begged me to operate anyway. I refused. This morning the boy died. He was grieving… I'm sorry you got caught in this. I'll have someone tend to Mr. Wilson's injury."
He motioned Una forward before leaving with the guards.
"Daniel, does it hurt?" Alice was still crying, blocking Una's way.
Scarlett's eyes narrowed. She stepped in, pulling Alice aside.
"He's still breathing, and your crying isn't antiseptic. Quit dripping on him—it's not going to stitch the wound."
Daniel's gaze shifted to her, a spark of amusement flickering in the dark.
She looked like a cat staking claim over its territory—tense, possessive, and just a little dangerous. Irresistible.
Alice stumbled back, glaring through wet lashes.
"Daniel was hurt because of me. Why can't I cry?"
Daniel's head throbbed. He shot a look at Tom.
"Take her back to her room."
Tom stepped forward, draping a shawl over Alice's shoulders. "Miss Brown, let me escort you."
Alice didn't want to leave. She didn't want Scarlett alone with Daniel. Pain flickered across her face as she touched her belly.
"Daniel…"
"Go rest. I'll come see you later," he said.
Her eyes lit up. She nodded, turning to Scarlett.
"Scarlett, Daniel doesn't take care of himself. Please make sure the nurse bandages him properly."
She gave Scarlett a lingering look before walking away.
Scarlett pulled Daniel toward a bench, motioning Una forward. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"How sweet," she murmured.
Daniel lifted his arm, letting Una cut away the torn sleeve.
He glanced at her, eyes deep, lips curving faintly.
"Jealous?"