Chapter 203: Angry Old Woman

As Natalie finished her ice cream and a sense of calm returned, Justin asked, "Do you want to talk about the nightmare you had?"

She fell silent, only to hear him add, "I was just asking—only if you feel comfortable. If not, maybe another day when you’re ready and trust me enough."

After a brief pause, she finally spoke. "It’s not that I don’t trust you or want to keep it from you. It’s just... I’ve never talked about it with anyone." She exhaled softly, her hands trembling slightly. "At this moment, I just don’t feel like talking about it. It’s not something pleasant that I would ever want to talk about. Maybe I just need a little more time."

Justin put his hand on her trembling one’s in an assuring hold, "Take your time. I can wait."

She finally looked at him, her gaze gentle and filled with gratitude towards him for being by her side when she was so vulnerable. "Thank you so much."

Justin offered her a light smile. "That look in your eyes tells me you’re falling for me."

Natalie couldn’t help but smile. "Maybe... you’re not wrong."

"Let’s head to sleep. It’s late," Justin stood up, as he picked up the empty ice cream container to discard it. Natalie stood up and followed him.

She watched him discard the things in his hands, while she returned to the bedroom. The moment she saw the bed, she realized something. The sheets on the bed were changed. Definitely her side of the bed was soaked in her sweat so...

She realized, when he went to get the ice-cream for her, he took time to return. She understood while giving her some time alone, he was doing this.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" she heard him ask.

She turned to look at him. "Just that...you act very differently from how I imagined a rich man would."

"Even for a rich man, common sense should exist, shouldn’t it?" he replied, moving toward the bed.

She chuckled softly, realizing that all the understanding and care he showed toward, in his mind, it was just a common sense.

"Let’s get some sleep," Justin said, aware that the coming days would bring new challenges and unanswered questions. "We still need to plan for your bone marrow donation, and you’ll need extra rest."

Natalie quietly climbed into bed as Justin did the same. Just as she was about to turn over to face away, he stopped her. "I’m getting a little tired of seeing only your back. I might sleep better looking at your beautiful face."

She paused, then turned to face him, finding him already lying on his side, looking at her.

"Might as well take advantage of this for a better night’s sleep," he added with a soft smile.

Natalie moved closer, resting her face in the crook of his neck, her arms wrapping around him. Justin pulled the covers over them both and held her close as she murmured, "This feels so much better."

A gentle smile curved on her lips as she closed her eyes, his comforting scent lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

------

Inside VIP patients’ fully equipped hospital room, a weak woman who had IV drips attached to her body, was fuming in anger. Her beautifully aged face was red with anger and annoyance.

"How dare you bring me here. Eric? Who are you to decide for me? I told you—I would rather die than come to this place."

Eric stood by her bedside with his head lowered. Just then, the door opened, and Aiden entered, his expression calm, hands tucked into his pants’ pockets.

She glared at him. "You... don’t push me to do something you’ll regret."

Aiden, long accustomed to her fury, remained unfazed. Her anger, no matter how fierce, never seemed to touch him. "The only thing I’d regret is letting you die without doing everything I could to save you."

"Whether I live or die, it’s none of your business. How many times do you want me to repeat this until you underatdnt where you stand? I’m ordering you—take me back to our home," she demanded, her voice sharp.

"I’m afraid I can’t do that," he replied evenly.

"You... you’re forgetting your place! You are nobody to me. You have no right to make decisions for me. Take me back," she insisted angrily.

"When you said ’our home’ instead of ’my home,’ I knew exactly who I am," he replied, his voice calm but resolute."

She felt flustered at this. "In anger I ended up saying it. That’s only my home, mine alone."

"At this moment, I am clearly making a decisions for you, whether you like it or not," he declared. "Once you are treated, I will take you back to our home."

"You..." She felt her strength waning, finding it hard to keep up the argument. He’d always been like this—stubborn and immovable, unaffected by her words or her anger. Somehow, he always left her feeling helpless. "I regret... I regret ever having you by my side..."

"You’ll have plenty of time to regret it once you’re well," he replied. "Maybe then, you can punish me as you wish. I’m sure you’re tired of feeling helpless and weak in front of me."

She glared at him. "I don’t need your pity. I’m not afraid of dying. You can take that stubbornness of yours and go to hell." She turned to Eric. "You are an elder who had been by his side, couldn’t you teach this kid some manners?"

Eric stayed silent, as usual.

Aiden remained unfazed by her words. "We’ve found a matching donor for you. The doctor will perform the bone marrow extraction tomorrow, and then we’ll begin your treatment. Until then, I expect you to be quiet and cooperative. Once you’re well, feel free to throw rocks at us if you want."

"Rocks?" she snapped. "Do you think I’m some senile old woman?"

In response, Aiden gave her a steady, silent stare, which meant he agreed to what she said.

"You..."

Without further words, Aiden lifted the old woman by the bedside in his arms and put her on the bed. "Sleep quietly. This is a hospital, not our home."

She gritted her teeth. "Just wait until I recover. The first thing I’ll do is disown you."

"Sure," he replied and covered her with sheets.

"I will see what you can do once you have nothing with you," she spat out angrily.

"I am sure, I won’t be begging at least," he replied, fixing the pillow under her head, "The teaching I got from you, it would be an insult to it, if I end up begging. I can’t let that happen."

She wanted to fire back but only managed to mumble, "This annoying kid... I wish I could throw him out somewhere far away."

"When the time comes, I’ll leave on my own, somewhere far, just as you’d like. No need to trouble yourself," he said, turning to leave.

His words stuck chords in her heart and she asked, "Where are you going?"

He didn’t turn to look at her. "Don’t worry. I am not going to leave you unless you are entirely fine."

"I was not asking you that," he countered angrily.

"Sure." He said and left, while she stared at the closed door.

Eric finally spoke, "You should rest. I will come see you tomorrow morning."

She didn’t respond, seemingly lost in her own thoughts while Eric left.