Dorothy had no idea that many people were scheming and plotting against her behind her back. After she left the ward, she immediately went to the hospital’s canteen to buy some porridge as well as some light dishes.
Since Credence had been seriously injured, he couldn’t eat overly greasy or salty food.
On her way back to the ward, Dorothy called Germaine and asked about Belle’s condition. She learnt that Belle had eaten a lot, which meant she had a great appetite. It’s just that she kept asking for her parents and constantly reminded Germaine to prepare valuable gifts since it was Dorothy’s birthday the following day.
Dorothy couldn’t help but let out a small smile when she heard Germain laugh helplessly.
Although she was the one who had given birth to her daughter, she was quite similar to Credence in a lot of ways. The way genes passed on from parent to child was miraculous and unpredictable like that.
Dorothy hung up the phone after she chatted with Germaine for a few more minutes. Just as she entered the elevator, she received a call from Juelz. It seemed like he had not been able to rest properly these few days as his voice sounded deadly hoarse when he spoke. Even so, it sounded like he was smiling happily, “Dory, it’s your birthday tomorrow, how are you going to celebrate it? I have prepared a present for you, I’m waiting to give it to you at your birthday party. You’ve rejected me for five years straight. I really hope that won’t happen again tomorrow. If so, I will really be embarrassed.”
“Juelz, I’m elated that you remember my birthday, but if you still insist on gifting me the diamond ring, I will still refuse. Can we just wait until Belle recovers to discuss matters like that, please?” Dorothy was in a dilemma.
From the moment they knew each other, Juelz had supported her every thought and action. It could be said that he was the only man in the world who treated her so well. She would be lying to herself if she said that his actions hadn’t touched her.
But when it came to love, Dorothy knew she couldn’t force herself to sway. She had never been able to fall in love with Juelz and had always just thought of him as a brother. There was nothing she could do about that.
Juelz on the other hand had not expected Dorothy to refuse him so immediately. After a long silence, he finally let out an awkward laugh, “Dory, I understand what you mean. Alright, we’ll wait until Belle recovers. However, Dory, my feelings for you will never change.
You can refuse me five times, six times, or even ten times. But maybe, just maybe, when I propose to you the eleventh time, you might say yes, right? I must hold onto this dream. What if it suddenly comes true?”
Dorothy sighed, “Juelz, why are you doing this? You’re such a catch, any woman would be willing to date you. You really shouldn’t waste your time on me anymore.”
“Dory, I know. I know that many women would throw themselves at me, but I don’t want any of them. I’m only interested in one, and her name is Dorothy,” Juelz said.
When she heard the desolation and discomfort in Juelz’s voice, Dorothy could not bear to speak to him about this anymore. So, she found an excuse and hung up.
When she returned to Credence’s ward, she felt somewhat depressed after hearing Juelz’s persistent promises.
The man leaning on the headboard looked exhausted. His eyebrows scrunched as his sharp eyes focused on the screen of the laptop. He was reading the reports from his company with utmost concentration.
Benjamin stood by the bed respectfully and just when he wanted to hand something over to Credence, he heard subtle footsteps. As soon as he turned around and saw Dorothy, he greeted her politely, ‘Mrs. Scott, I will hand Mr. Scott over to you now. I still have to attend to some matters in the company, so I must leave immediately.”
After that, when Dorothy was not paying any attention, Benjamin furtively nodded at the man who was still able to maintain his noble temperament no matter how much of a mess he was in, then rushed out of the ward as fast as he could, determined not to be the third wheel.
Within that few seconds, the two men had communicated countlessly with only their gaze.
Dorothy did not pay attention to their interaction at all. She merely took out the food from the thermal container and put them on the bedside table as she said softly, “Credence, the doctor said that you can only stomach light food right now. I know you don’t like them, but at least have some so that you can recover faster.”
The man put away the laptop and blinked his eyes and chuckled, “You’re beginning to care about my wellbeing. This makes me really happy.”
“Who would care about you? I just want you to recover sooner so that Belle can.”
Preparing for pregnancy was an embarrassing matter for Dorothy to say out loud, so she decided to bring it up subtly.
“If you want Belle to get better, then we’d have to do our best to get you pregnant.”
The man elegantly sipped the porridge while he looked at Dorothy’s rosy face from time to time. His eyes were filled with joy as he teased, “I’ve only hurt my knee, every other part of me is still working perfectly. Do you believe that I can satisfy you right now?”
She did not know when it started, but this man made ribald comments at her whenever he pleased. It was maddening.
Dorothy silently took a few steps back, to a distance where she felt safer, only then did she sit on the sofa and enjoyed the delicious food. However, the thing Benjamin had just given to Credence caught her attention and she could not take her eyes away for a long time.
That thing… How should she put it?
Well, Dorothy had always thought that she was not one to care much for money or jewelry as these things had never really attracted her. However, at that moment, the thing she was looking at was just too resplendent and beautiful.
The simple white jade box was inlaid with star-shaped diamonds. It shone brightly and it sat on a black velvety cloth. The longer she stared at it, the more beautiful it looked. Dorothy could not help but marvel at it.
The box that was used to package whatever it was containing was already so beautiful. Therefore, she was certain that whatever was inside would be even more beautiful.
Even after Dorothy finished the last of her soup, the look of amazement in her eyes did not fade.
Credence saw through her thoughts with a glance and placed the cutlery back on the table. Then, he looked at her with a smile and asked, “Do you want to see what’s inside?”
Of course she wanted to!
After putting down her cutlery, Dorothy anxiously nodded her head.
Credence felt his heart tickle when he saw how well-behaved and serious she looked. He licked the porridge off his lips and narrowed his eyes. An indescribable love for her could be seen in the deepest parts of his eyes.
“Come over here and I’ll tell you.”
Dorothy was skeptical, so she inched to the side of the bed, about half a meter away from the man. She asked him, “Alright, I’m here. Don’t keep me guessing, hurry up and tell me.”
“The thing inside is…”
Credence deliberately lowered his voice so that Dorothy could not hear him clearly. She stretched her neck and leaned closer to the man to hear properly.
Just as her jet-black hair touched Credence’s chin, he hurriedly wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her into his embrace. He lowered his head and kissed her tenderly.
Dorothy immediately realized she had been tricked.
“Credence, you… Oh!”