Chapter 4
“Then I’ll beat some sense into you about being a daughter–in–law!“[]
The cane tore through fabric, leaving bloody welts across her skin.[]
Callie shook with pain, but her teeth stayed clenched.[]
“I won’t take it…“[
Blood soaked through her clothes, and her vision began to blur.[]
The last thing she saw was Declan’s back, vision blurring.
Before darkness swallowed her consciousness, Callie thought: At least this way, after the last pain, there’s no more for him.
When Callie woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.[]
She heard the hospital director’s respectful voice nearby: “Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes has deep lash wounds on her back. Some areas have damaged the dermal layer…”
T
r.“]
“Use the best medicine, assign the best doctors.” Declan’s voice was low and cold. “Don’t let her scar.‘
“Yes, we’ll do everything we can.“[]
After the director left, Declan turned around and realized she was awake.
He quickly strode to the bed, frowning slightly: “How do you feel?“[]
Callie tried to move–the wounds on her back burned like fire.[]
She forced herself to say: “I’m fine. There are professionals here to take care of me. If you’ve got stuff to do, go ahead.“[]
Unexpectedly, Declan didn’t leave.[]
He sat down beside the bed, looking at her with complex emotions: “When Mom was giving you a hard time, why didn’t you call for me?“]]
Callie remembered his focused conversation with Mia and smiled bitterly: “I saw you were busy.“]
She paused, then asked softly: “If I had called you, would you really have come right away?“]
“Of course.” Declan answered without hesitation.[]
Callie was stunned.
This answer was completely different from what she’d expected.]]
“I’ve already handled things with the family,” he continued. “No one will bother you about having kids anymore.“[]
“Got it.” Callie lowered her eyes. “You should go take care of your business.“[]
“Why do you keep trying to send me away?” Declan frowned.[]
Callie looked confused: “Aren’t you… really busy?“]]
Busy with company matters, busy keeping Mia company.
“Not lately.” He reached over to tuck her blanket in. “I can take care of you these next few days.“[]
This was completely beyond Callie’s expectations.[]
Over the following days, Declan actually stayed at the hospital to care for her.[]
He adjusted her hospital bed, fed her meals, even personally changed her bandages.]
3 Years OFT ERC 12VC NOW I Maine: Tin Khyal Histo
One night when she couldn’t sleep from the pain, Declan sat beside her bed, gently patting her back like soothing a child until she fell into deep sleep.
Thus tenderness made Callie feel like she was back in their most intimate days.]]
But she wouldn’t let herself get lost in it again.
She’d already decided to leave. There was no going back.[]
A week later, the lash marks on Callie’s back had faded considerably.[]
That day, when Declan was applying medicine to her wounds, she accidentally let out a soft whimper.]
His movements suddenly stopped.[]
Callie looked back in confusion, only to see his eyes had darkened, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and below…]
Her expression shifted slightly.[]
But Declan was already slowly leaning closer, his breathing growing heavier.[]
just as his lips were about to touch hers-
“CRASH!”
A sharp sound shattered the intimate atmosphere in the hospital room.[]
Both turned their heads to see Mia standing in the doorway, a fruit basket she’d been carrying now smashed on the floor, fruit scattered everywhere.]
