âExactly!â Kaya added, her anger bubbling to the surface. âHow dare you speak to us like that? Didnât your parents teach you any manners?â
Unbeknownst to Fannieâs parents, their words struck Bobby deeply. He was never one to restrain his anger. âI grew up neglected. So what?â
He was telling the truth. During his childhood, his parents mostly ignored him.
âYouâ¦â Fannieâs parents, overwhelmed and furious, pointed at him as if confronting a thugâpowerless to argue or retaliate. At that moment, Katherine and Shawn intervened to defuse the situation.
Shawn attempted to lighten the mood. âMr. and Mrs. Cooper, shall we check if the doctor has any advice for us?â
Ignoring Shawnâs peacemaking efforts, Kaya jabbed a finger at Bobby. âWhat kind of man is this? Iâm relieved my daughter didnât end up with him!â
Katherine ushered her out. âLetâs not stoop to his level.â
After they left, a heavy silence enveloped the room. Bobby clasped Fannieâs cool hand. âSilly girl,â he whispered to the unconscious woman. âIs your skull tougher than an ashtray? Maybe now youâll think twice before acting recklessly.â
While he spoke, a tickle caught in his nose. He rested his forehead against the back of Fannieâs hand. No woman had ever taken such a risk for him.
gαâηÏνððsâ¤com has stories worth exploring Though he had no romantic feelings for Fannie, he felt a deep emotional stir. This moment and Fannie herself would remain etched in his memory as singularly significant.
Fannieâs fingers twitched within Bobbyâs hold, and he was quick to react. âFifi?â
Slowly, Fannieâs eyes fluttered open, clouded with confusion and pain. âWhere am I?â
Her voice was faint, her mind replaying the fight between Jett and Bobby like a distant, fading film.
âYouâre in the hospital,â Bobby answered gently. âIs there any discomfort youâre feeling?â
Fannie just shook her head, but Bobbyâs voice helped her focus her wandering thoughts.
âIâm okay now. Please go,â she said, her tone unexpectedly cold, which threw Bobby off guard.
He reflected on the situation, realizing her coldness might stem from the risk she had taken to save him. âIâm truly sorry, Fifi.â Turning her head aside, Fannie avoided his gaze.
Despite his attempts at soothing words, Fannieâs demeanor didnât soften. This standoff continued until her parents entered the room.
Their eyes filled with tears upon seeing Fannie conscious.
âWhy do you always worry us so much?â Bartley said.
âYour father and I have been terrified! You almost gave us heart attacks!â Kaya added.
Fannie replied in a weak voice, âDad, Mom, Iâm alright.â In the background, Bobby lingered awkwardly, resembling an unnoticed bystander.
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