“What did you say?” Diana turned around and saw Maria standing at the door of the hospital room, her shoulders shaking and jerking.
She hung her head, tears falling down and staining her shirt. “I’m sorry…” She was overwhelmed with guilt, but in the end could only utter those three words. However, Maria didn’t know what else she could do besides apologizing.
Compared to Maria’s reaction, Diana looked at her calmly before sitting next to the hospital bed. “Do you know how Kim got into a car accident?”
After a long time, Diana spoke softly with an extremely gentle voice that matched the gaze she had on Kim now.
“He was looking for me… it was all because of me… I caused him this.”
If it wasn’t for her stubbornness or if she hadn’t said those things back then, maybe none of this would have happened. Covering her face with both hands as tears flowed through them.
“It seems like saying these things now is useless,” Diana sighed as she motioned for Maria to come over. “Child, come here.”
Maria hesitated for a moment before finally walking over to Diana’s side. She couldn’t help but glance at Kim lying on the hospital bed – still unconscious – his head wrapped in several layers of bandages and his face covered in bruises.
Beforehand she had asked around about his condition; he suffered minor brain damage from being hit on the head which may even lead to after-effects later on.
“He has never been an obedient child; when he was young he refused to learn piano and when he grew up he didn’t want to inherit family’s company,” Diana signaled for Maria to sit down while reminiscing about many things regarding Kim.
“For him wanting to become a doctor meant having many arguments with his father even getting beaten up black and blue without giving up.”
“This child is very stubborn; once he sets his mind on something important, nothing can make him let go.” Hearing this made Maria remember what Kim had said back then when they were together, “I’ll let you go so that you can be happy.”
Maria didn’t know if she deserved such devotion from someone like Kim who always seemed gentle but only towards herself.
“He mentioned you many times before; every time with a smile on his face. I can tell that he really likes you.” Diana turned to look at Maria, but the look in her eyes sent shivers down her spine.
“What about you? Do you like Kim?”
The light tone hit Maria’s heart like a mountain, making it hard for her to breathe. She opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words to say.
“Never mind, whether you like him or not doesn’t matter. He’s my son and I know him best.” Diana sounded resigned and pained as if holding back tears.
Maria trembled as tears streamed down her face. She wiped them away hastily, trying to see Kim’s face clearly but failed due to the blur of tears.
“Don’t cry, child,” Diana said softly while patting Maria’s head. “This was an accident and it wasn’t your fault.”
Diana didn’t have any negative feelings towards Maria; perhaps she loved everything that her son loved or maybe because of how careful she had been these past few days outside the hospital room.
Diana always thought that Maria was a good girl.
But…
“Mrs. Ragsdill… you can scold me or hit me if you want, but please don’t forgive me. If it weren’t for my stubbornness, Kim wouldn’t be in such a miserable state…” Maria cried bitterly while bending over slowly.
“This isn’t just your fault alone,” Diana said while patting Maria’s hand gently. “Even if I blame you entirely for this mess, nothing will change.”
Finally gathering up some courage within herself, Diana spoke in a deep voice, “Although Kim likes you very much… you… so I hope that from now on you won’t appear in front of him anymore.”
A buzzing sound rang through Maria’s ears as though something had exploded inside her head leaving her completely blank-minded at once.
She stared blankly at Diana, suddenly speechless.
“Is it okay?” Diana asked again when Maria didn’t respond.
Maria, lost in thought, bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms, turning them red without her noticing.
Not wanting to disturb him, to give him a peaceful life, Maria thought. That chance encounter had changed both of their lives. She felt she should agree, after all, she believed she still liked Osborn. But why did her heart ache at the sight of Kim?
Maria didn’t know how to answer, almost stumbling out of the ward in disarray.
In the moment the door closed, all her strength seemed to leave her. She fell to the ground, crying silently.
In the ward, Kim, who should have been unconscious, opened his eyes when Maria left.
He looked at the pale room, his face expressionless.
“Heard everything?” Diana asked Kim, inquiring softly.
Kim wanted to turn his head, but even the slightest movement caused a stabbing pain in his brain. He stiffened, not sure what he was thinking.
“She chose not to stay, and that already shows her attitude,” Diana sighed softly. If the girl had chosen to stay, or even said something, it might have been different. But in the end, she chose to escape.
…
Maria, in a daze, returned to the company. A crowd of media had gathered at the entrance. As soon as they saw Maria, they swarmed in.
“Miss Marner, we heard your boyfriend had a car accident. Can you reveal the current situation?”
“Miss Marner, did you just visit Mr. Ragsdill?”
“I heard you two broke up a long time ago. Can you explain?”
Maria ignored the noisy voices. The camera flashes made her squint. She reached out to cover her eyes but accidentally touched a reporter’s microphone.
In an instant, it seemed like the media had caught a big scoop, snapping photos of this moment.
“Get away… all of you, get away…”
Maria, on the verge of a breakdown, couldn’t take it anymore. She covered her ears in pain, wanting to escape from this place.
But wherever she went, countless microphones were thrust in front of her, like knives, cutting her apart.
“Stop filming! Just stop!”
At this moment, Osborn, who was supposed to have a press conference, saw the scene. He immediately went to stand in front of Maria.
Osborn signaled his agent to take Maria away.