Bertha shook her head. âI canât just rely on caregivers. Marlinie is my best friend. Sheâs like family to me. I canât leave her alone here.â
Thaddeus huffed in annoyance. âAll these years, youâve always cared more for Marlinie than for me! If it werenât for her, would you be in danger today?â
Bertha frowned in displeasure. âHere you go again! Neither of us got hurt, and besides, do you think Marlinie did it on purpose?â
âI donât care if she did it on purpose or not; I just donât feel secure when youâre with her!â
âThatâs your problem, not mine. Iâm not leaving until Marlinie is discharged!â
After seeing the stubborn look on his wifeâs face, Thaddeus could only sigh in resignation. âAlright, alright! You stay here with her; Iâll have someone keep an eye on you. Whenever I can, Iâll come over to keep you both company. Is that okay?â
Once her husband agreed, Bertha softened. âYou⦠youâd better not come! Youâre always tactless. You never consider Marlinieâs feelings.â
âIâll keep quiet then. Isnât that enough?â
âReally, thereâs no need. Focus on your own things. Sophia needs you too.â
Thaddeus looked troubled. âDonât remind me! That girl is so stubborn! I told her to let go of Marcus, and we had a huge argument!â
Bertha was stunned. âWhat? You⦠you really said that to her?â
Thaddeus nodded. âBertha, Iâve taken everything you said to me seriously. Iâve been spoiling that girl too much over the years! I think Marcus loves his real wife the same way I love you. Heâll never be able to develop feelings for another woman, so holding on to him is pointless. Sophia will never obtain real love from him.â
Bertha was touched that her husband finally understood. âAs long as you understand, we can slowly persuade Sophia.â
Upon hearing his wifeâs soft tone, Thaddeus gazed deeply at her. âBertha, Iâve understood everything.
Can you forgive me and come home with me?â
Bertha blushed slightly. âUh⦠didnât I say that I have to stay in the hospital to take care of Marlinie?â
âI know! I mean, after your best friend is discharged, would you be willing to come home with me?â
Bertha went silent for a moment, then nodded.
With their disagreement resolved, both of them felt much better. They left the staircase and headed back to Marlinieâs room.
As they passed the elevator, they saw Balfour waiting.
Thaddeusâ gaze sharpened as he stared at Balfour.
Perhaps feeling the hostile gaze, Balfour turned to look at him.
Their gazes met, and the air became fraught with tension.
Balfour had just visited his father and was about to leave when he ran into Thaddeus.
DING!
The elevator doors opened. Balfour retracted his gaze coldly and stepped inside.
Bertha noticed her husbandâs strange expression and asked, âWhatâs wrong? Who was that young man? Do you know him?â
Thaddeus came back to his senses. âThatâs the eldest son of the Howard family. For some reason, heâs been opposing me in business these past few years.â
The eldest son of the Howard family? That would beâ¦
Berthaâs eyes widened in realization. âThaddeus, find out why the eldest son of the Howard family is here in the hospital!â