Henry was wheeled out of the emergency room by a nurse and taken to the ICU. It didn't take long for him to wake up.
"Henry!" Mia cried, rushing over. She was no longer the composed woman she usually was, just a heartbroken wife.
Harper and Joseph stood nearby, watching Henry's pale face in silence.
"What's with all the tears?" Henry gently patted Mia's head, his voice soft. "Don't let the kids see you like this."
Harper watched, her heart heavy. How could this happen? She and Henry had just gotten married yesterday. Their happy life was supposed to be just beginning, but now...
Mia wiped her tears and stood up, anger flashing in her eyes. "This is all your fault! I kept telling you to drink less, but you never listened! Now look at you!"
"Alright, it's my fault. I'll listen to you from now on, okay?" Henry smiled, accepting his fate with late-stage cancer.
After comforting Mia, he turned his attention to Joseph and Harper, who were standing nearby.
Henry noticed their formal outfits, like they were about to handle some important business. He remembered what he had overheard yesterday and furrowed his brows.
"Why are you dressed like that? Did you just come from somewhere?"
Harper stiffened. She hadn't expected Henry to ask that.
It wasn't about where they were going, but where they had been.
She and Joseph had unfinished their divorce proceedings, and she wasn't sure if they could continue later.
Harper didn't know how to respond. She instinctively glanced at Joseph.
Joseph remained expressionless.
Seeing neither of them speak, Henry realized what was going on.
He took a heavy breath and said with breathless anger, "Don't think I don't know you two want a divorce. I heard everything yesterday!"
Harper was stunned.
Since Henry had heard it all, there was no point in hiding it anymore.
"Joseph, I'm telling you, I won't allow you to divorce Harper. I..."
But Joseph interrupted before Henry could finish.
"We just came from the court."
"What?" Henry wasn't rattled by his illness; he was pissed off by Joseph's comment.
"You mean you're divorced?"
Seeing Henry’s rage, Harper quickly said, "No, we were just about to sign, but then we got a call and rushed over. Dad, don't be mad. Your health can't handle this..."
Before Harper could finish, Henry pointed a shaking finger at Joseph. "Joseph, do you think I'm dying too slowly? Are you just trying to piss me off?!"
"I'm not."
"If you're not, then why are you divorcing Harper? How dare you sign the papers? I won't allow it!"
Henry was clearly furious. Mia, afraid his health might get worse, quickly grabbed Joseph's hand, signaling him to stop talking, while Harper stood silently by.
The ward was filled with Henry's angry outbursts.
"Where do you think you'll find a girl as awesome as Harper? You really want to ditch her for some other chick? Let me tell you, those crazy women won't even make it past the front door of the Lucas family!"
Though Henry didn't mention Olivia by name, everyone knew who he meant.
Thinking about last night with Olivia, Joseph frowned and said calmly, "I never thought that. This was a mutual decision."
Harper had nothing left to say. She was the one who had initially brought up the divorce.
"Dad," Harper spoke softly, "I've actually filed for divorce a long time ago. Joseph and I have never had feelings for each other, you know that."
"Harper, you..." Henry didn't care about that. He only felt that Harper was now speaking up for Joseph. When would Joseph finally see things clearly?
Given his current state, he didn't mind being labeled the bad guy.
"Anyway, I don't agree with your divorce! Since you haven't signed yet, you're still legally married. If you don't want me to die sooner, don't mention divorce again!"
Harper didn't know what to say. Henry's temper was very stubborn too.
She looked at Joseph, seeing a hint of darkness in his eyes. He must be feeling helpless too, right? Was he thinking, why didn't he sign the papers just now?
Harper withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes.
Seeing the opportunity, Henry said, "You two, give me your marriage certificate."
Harper was puzzled, then realized Henry was going to confiscate the documents.
As expected, a sick elderly man can be quite childish, but Henry's childishness hit Harper and Joseph's weak spot.
Joseph kept silent. After a few seconds, he handed the documents to Henry.
Henry placed the documents under his pillow and looked at the two in front of him. "If you still want to get a divorce, forget about it. If I'm dead, I don't care, but as long as I'm alive, don't even think about it!"
Mia listened to Henry's words and pretended to be angry, lightly patting him. "Can you stop saying such bad things?"
Then she looked at Harper and Joseph. "You see his condition now. Don't make him angry. Besides, you two are such a good match. Why are you always thinking about divorce?"
Harper chose to remain silent.
She and Joseph, a good match?
Joseph and Harper locked eyes, and in that instant, it was like a spark flew between them.Immediately, Harper quickly shifted her gaze away.
Mia's curious eyes darted back and forth between Harper and Joseph. Feeling it was time to step in, she gently spoke up, "Hey, guys, every problem has a solution. Joseph, your dad's just watching your back. Don't wait until it's too late and end up kicking yourself later."
Joseph's thin lips lightly pursed.
He thought, that day would never come.