Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Watching her work tirelessly, a flicker of heartache crossed William's eyes.

"Yanny, let me take over. You should go eat."

But Yanny refused to put down the medicine in her hands.

"It's fine. I'll eat after I finish feeding him."

During this time, everything seemed to be repeating the same routine. Yanny had grown numb to it all.

She just hoped that one day the person in the bed would suddenly show some sign of life—then all her efforts wouldn't have been in vain.

Watching her handle everything personally, William felt a bitter taste in his heart. Only now did he clearly realize that Ethan held a place in Yanny's heart that was completely different from everyone else.

His own self-important feelings were nothing more than part of Yanny's normal social circle.

"Yanny, no matter what, you still need to rest properly. You can't neglect your own health."

Yanny nodded.

"I know."

But after finishing the medication, looking at the food on the table, she had no appetite. Yet her body kept sending warning signals that it couldn't hold out much longer.

Yanny forced herself to pick up her utensils and take a couple bites. It tasted like cardboard.

"I'll go pay the bill in a bit. You stay here and watch him."

After saying this, Yanny walked out. During this period, she'd basically stayed in the hospital room, never leaving the building.

When she reached the front desk, she didn't see the nurse. She decided to walk outside.

Away from the harsh smell of disinfectant, Yanny felt she could finally breathe easier.

She closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and savored this brief moment of not having to think. The next second, a little girl crashed straight into her leg.

Yanny looked down to see a blonde, blue-eyed little girl staring up at her timidly, tears pooling in her eyes.

Ignoring the pain, Yanny crouched down to her level.

"Did something happen?"

The little girl nodded and said, "I was playing here earlier and lost a butterfly hair clip. My mommy gave it to me. I want to find it."

Yanny glanced around. The area was full of bushes—it really would be hard to find. But when she turned back to see those big eyes looking at her so hopefully, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

"I'll help you look for it."

The little girl was expensively dressed, clearly from a wealthy family. She didn't 'need' the butterfly clip, but she treasured it because her mother had given it to her. The thought warmed Yanny's heart.

After several circles around the area, she finally found it hidden in a secluded patch of grass.

The little girl's eyes lit up at the sight of her hair clip, and she kept thanking Yanny.

Yanny patted her head.

"Good luck."

Just as she was about to leave, a man's voice came from behind her.

"Anna, where did you run off to? I've been looking everywhere for you."

A man in a suit appeared in the distance, his face anxious. When his gaze landed on Yanny, he froze for a moment, a flash of admiration crossing his eyes.

What a beautiful woman.

The man walked over.

"Hello, I'm Anna's father, Valentin Dobbins."

Yanny nodded slightly. She briefly explained what had just happened and prepared to leave, but unexpectedly, the man stopped her and handed her a business card.

"Beautiful lady, could we get to know each other? This is my card."

Out of politeness, Yanny didn't refuse. After entering the hospital, she casually glanced at the card and discovered it belonged to a well-known local family. She didn't think much of it—foreigners were always friendly like that.

But two days later, someone appeared outside the hospital room holding a bouquet of flowers. It was Valentin.

William looked at him in confusion, still wondering if he'd gotten the wrong room, when Valentin walked right in with the flowers.

Yanny frowned at him as the man spoke.

"Beautiful lady, last time was too rushed. This time I came especially with a gift to see you. I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight."

Yanny waved her hand, patiently explaining, "I'm sorry, the man in that hospital bed is my husband. Thank you for the kind gesture, but there's no possibility between us."

Yanny's rejection was clean and direct, but Valentin acted as if he hadn't heard her.

"That's fine. If you don't have time today, I can wait a few days."

Yanny pressed her lips together, an awkward smile on her face.

"Please, just go."

She thought that would be the end of it, but before long, Valentin came to the hospital again. This time he even brought his daughter.

"Anna kept saying she missed you after we got home. She insisted on coming to see you. If you're free tonight, I'll take you both to see some sights."

Using his own daughter to pursue a woman—Yanny looked at him with growing impatience.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Dobbins, maybe I wasn't clear enough last time. There's no possibility between us."

The Dobbins family was fairly well-known locally. Just a few days ago, Yanny had overheard the nurses at the front desk gossiping—Valentin wasn't even divorced yet.

Yanny found it disgusting.

"Besides, your wife probably doesn't know about any of this, does she? Since you already have a child together, you should take care of your own family instead of constantly using your daughter like this."

Yanny thought she'd been harsh enough, but she hadn't expected Valentin to be shameless to this degree.

"If you're willing to be with me, I can get divorced anytime. And I'll prepare expensive gifts for you. As for this husband of yours, I can provide for him to live in a care facility for the rest of his life."

Yanny almost laughed in anger at his words. Her face darkened.

"Mr. Dobbins, please leave."

The harassment continued endlessly. Before long, a woman claiming to be Valentin's wife appeared before Yanny. Thinking she'd come to cause trouble, Yanny was about to explain when the woman spoke with a bright smile.

"I know my husband is pursuing you right now. You don't need to worry about his family. I won't stop you two. I only have one requirement: Anna is my most precious daughter. No matter how sweet things get between you two, you can't have children that would affect Anna's inheritance rights."

These words shocked Yanny. She pressed her lips together, feeling utterly powerless.

"Mrs. Dobbins, I'm not going to be with your husband. I already have my own family. If possible, I don't want to see either of you again."

The woman shrugged noncommittally, as if nothing mattered to her as long as the inheritance rights weren't affected.

Yanny stopped acknowledging Valentin's visits, finding excuses to hide in the office each time.

But William saw everything. Already irritable, seeing another man—and a married one at that—persistently harassing Yanny made him even more frustrated.

The next time he saw Valentin at the hospital, William's anger erupted. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and threw a heavy punch.

Valentin clutched his bleeding nose with a cry, then passed out.