After Patricia left the ward, her gaze swept the hospital corridor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had just left.
She didnât see Theo in the winding hospital hallways, even though they had only been separated by a few minutes.
Where the hell did Theo go? It was only when she saw the door to the stairwell being pushed open and Collinâs stern face emerging that she got her answer.
Patricia quickly headed that way, running smack into Collin.
Collin gave a slight nod and said, âMs. Howard.â
Patricia nodded back, asking, âCollin, is Theo in there?â
As honest as ever, Collin replied, âYes, heâs in there.â
Patricia said, âThen Iâll go in and see him.â
With that, she pushed open the door to the stairwell.
Collin didnât stop her, but as he saw her disappear into the stairwell, his usually calm face showed a flicker of emotion before he quickly turned and left. He had work to do that Theo had just handed off to him.
Once inside, Patricia saw Theo standing by a window, smoking.
She approached him, coughing a couple of times from the smoke, and said, âTheoâ¦â
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Theo squinted at her and asked, âWhatâs up?â
With a worried look on her face, Patricia asked, âTheo, are you mad because someone deceived me?â
Theo didnât respond.
Patricia sighed. âBecause you trusted her, and she betrayed your trust. You must be really pissed off. I can tell youâre mad.â
Again, Theo didnât deny it. After a pause, he told her, âYou should be able to leave the hospital today.
Go home with your brother.â
Patricia looked stunned, her eyes filled with sadness.
She shook her head and said, âTheo, Iâm fine. I want to stay here with you.â
Frowning, Theo pointed out, âThe hospital is full of germs. Youâre not strong enough to fight them off.
Donât get sick again when youâre still recovering.â
Patriciaâs heart beat faster, a tear glinting in her eye. âTheo, so you do still care about meâ¦. I thought you didnât care anymore.â
Theo told her, âAlright, go home. Your brother is waiting.â
With a start, Patricia turned to see that, indeed, Balfourr had pushed open the door to the stairwell and was watching them with a heavy gaze.
A bit helpless, she turned back to Theo and asked, âTheo, after I go home, will you still come to see me?â
Theo was silent, then nodded his head.
A blush spread across Patriciaâs pale face as she tugged at the corner of Theoâs shirt. âCan you walk me down to the hospital entrance? I want you to see me off.â
Theo took a moment before crushing out his cigarette and saying, âLetâs go.â
With a soft glow in Patriciaâs eyes, she obediently nodded and followed him out.
To her waiting brother Balfour, she said, âBalfourr, letâs go home!â
Balfour gave her a sidelong glance, pretending to be angry. âWhen I told you to go home, you wouldnât listen. But when someone else tells you, you jump right to it?â
Patriciaâs face instantly turned red. She shyly glanced at the man beside her before stamping her foot and yelling, âBalfour!â
âAlright, letâs go.â Balfour ruffled her hair with a smile, his eyes then turning cold as he turned to Theo.
âTheo, thank you for putting the past aside and persuading Patricia to go home.â
âNo problem. Theo said it nonchalantly, his tone cool.