Chapter 49
Sophia's POV
I stormed out of the hospital room, furious. Emily was as difficult as ever, always using her position as a major shareholder to threaten me.
I glanced at the man waiting outside. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
"She's doing much better," I said.
"Hmm." He looked at the hospital room, his eyes downcast.
"You could easily check on her injuries in your capacity as a doctor," I couldn't help but say.
My grandfather and Simon's grandfather were business partners. Our two families were very close and lived near each other. I, Emily, and the other children all grew up with Simon.
Simon's personality was so cold it bordered on autistic. He was only nice to Emily, completely ignoring everyone else. Later, for some reason, their relationship fell apart. I wasn't surprised by this. They both had twisted personalities, were extremely self-centered, and honestly, a bit mentally unstable. It would have been strange if they hadn't fallen out.
"She doesn't want to see me," he said softly.
I rolled my eyes at him, thinking he was such a coward. "She doesn't want to see me either. But the world doesn't revolve around her wishes. I insisted on seeing her anyway. You should learn from me."
"My business is none of your concern."
I crossed my arms haughtily and said, "I wasn't planning to interfere anyway, but I'm warning you—you'd better put aside your feelings and not let her affect our deal. I've given you what you wanted, so please give me what I want quickly."
"I understand," he replied.
"Don't make me visit patients for you again. My time is valuable!" I didn't really trust Simon, but I had no choice but to work with him.
Just then Julie approached us, carrying a paper bag filled with sweet-smelling pastries. She looked suspiciously at Simon and me standing together. I needed to end this conversation.
"We'll talk later," I said quietly to Simon.
"Sophia, Simon, why don't you go in?" Julie asked curiously.
Simon didn't answer, simply turning and walking away.
"I've already visited Emily. She's recovering well, already giving me orders," I said with a hint of anger.
"I'll go in and keep her company then," Julie quickly ended the conversation, practically escaping into the hospital room.
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Emily's POV
Julie appeared at the door, carrying a large brown paper bag.
"Hey, Emily," Julie greeted cheerfully, holding up the bag. "I brought half a bakery with me."
The smell of sugar wafted through the room as she unpacked an assortment of cupcakes, donuts, and chocolate chip cookies onto my tray table.
"You're officially my favorite person," I declared, immediately reaching for a chocolate frosted cupcake.
"Better than Sophia's fruit basket?" Julie smirked.
"Sophia bringing fruit is like Satan bringing holy water," I said through a mouthful of cupcake. "Completely suspicious."
Julie laughed, settling into the chair Lucas had vacated when he stepped out to take a call.
Julie picked up a sprinkle-covered donut. "By the way, the whole family knows about your accident. "
I groaned. "It's a broken wrist, not terminal cancer."
A few minutes later, Aunt Lucy and Aunt Cindy appeared in my doorway, shooting each other venomous glares before plastering identical fake smiles on their faces as they entered my room.
"Emily, sweetheart!" they cooed in disturbing unison.
Lucy carried a container of what smelled like homemade chicken soup, while Cindy clutched a thermos of what she would undoubtedly claim was her "healing beef broth."
"My poor darling," Lucy said, rushing to my bedside and carefully touching my cast as if it were made of delicate crystal. "When Lucas called, I nearly fainted from worry."
"I came as soon as I heard," Cindy chimed in, not to be outdone. "I made you my special bone-strengthening broth."
I caught Julie's eye, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing.
My aunts fussed over me, adjusting my pillows and blankets until Lucas returned and reminded them not to disturb my cast.
"Like Lucas knows anything about medical care," Aunt Lucy scoffed. "How's that comedy career going? Still telling jokes to empty rooms?"
"At least Lucas has real passion," Aunt Cindy retorted. "Unlike Dustin, who still can't make decent baked goods despite all his culinary training."
I saw the argument escalating and quickly intervened. "I'm actually starving. Could I try some of that soup you brought?"
Both aunts immediately switched focus, taking turns feeding me their respective broths. I suffered through alternating spoonfuls of Lucy's overly salted chicken soup and Cindy's aggressively seasoned beef broth, each time nodding appreciatively, which seemed to satisfy them.
After the soup torture ended, Aunt Cindy set her thermos aside and perched on the edge of my bed, her voice dropping to a serious tone.
"Emily, dear, have you given any thought to updating your will?"
I nearly choked on the water I was sipping. "My will?"
"Yes," Aunt Lucy added, suddenly in complete agreement with her sister-in-law. "If something were to happen to you—God forbid—well, your current arrangements would be... problematic."
"Problematic?" I repeated, setting my water cup down.
"The family business," Aunt Cindy explained, as if talking to a child. "Your grandfather built the company from nothing. It should stay in the family."
I stared at them silently for a long moment.
"I understand," I finally said, my voice flat.
The tension visibly left Aunt Cindy's shoulders. But she didn't know how to continue expressing their greedy intentions.
I declined their nutritional soup, saying I needed more rest.