As soon as the words were spoken, a large hand landed on her shoulder, and Nelson’s voice followed, “I am Callie’s husband, Nelson Oconnor.”
It was like a bolt from the blue.
Tobias’s gaze shifted from scrutinizing to wary, with a hint of barely perceptible malice.
Callie looked up in disbelief, tears still in her eyes. She hadn’t expected Nelson to admit it so openly, in front of the medical team and Tobias, an outsider.
“So it’s you.” After a long pause, Tobias chuckled lightly and extended his hand for a handshake. “I’ve heard Callie mention you.”
The implication was that they were close friends or perhaps had an even deeper relationship.
Nelson lowered his gaze at the remark. “Oh? I didn’t know my wife was that close to you.”
The grip on her shoulder tightened, making Callie’s scalp tingle. This was not the place to explain.
Fortunately, at that moment, Reuben was wheeled out of the operating room by a nurse. Callie seized the opportunity. “Dad is out; I need to check on him.” If Nelson wanted to play with fire, he could put it out himself.
Standing at six feet two inches, Nelson faced Tobias with a slightly more imposing presence but spoke in a low tone. “Dr. Tobias, I heard you applied to join Callie’s father’s medical team. You were his attending physician. I appreciate your dedication.”
Tobias stepped aside and saw Callie bending over to check on Reuben’s condition. “It’s a doctor’s duty to be responsible. I see Mr. Oconnor is also very dedicated. However, in the past three years, this is the first time I’ve seen you.”
Nelson smiled faintly. “You haven’t seen me, but I’ve seen you.”
Tobias frowned, not recalling. “Where did you ever see me?”
“Around the hospital’s shopping mall. You were having a meal with my wife at the time. What were you eating?” Nelson pondered seriously. “It seemed to be spicy cuisine.”
Tobias’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected Nelson to witness his last private meal with Callie.
“Mr. Oconnor, what’s your tone here? I’ve known Callie for three years. Is there anything wrong with having a meal together?”
Nelson smiled. “Of course not. Next time, Callie and I will join you. I’ll host. I hope Dr. Tobias will honor us with your presence.”
Tobias remained silent, staring intently in Callie’s direction, his obsession evident.
Nelson calmly blocked his view. “Callie and I had a rushed marriage, so I haven’t had time to visit the hospital often. But I’ll be coming more frequently from now on. Anything you need to tell Callie, you can tell me too.”
A transactional marriage, yet he could declare ownership as a husband; Tobias found it hard to understand.
Reuben was moved into a ward, and Callie followed the nurse to gather information. At some point, Tobias appeared behind her, professionally checking Reuben’s vital signs. He casually remarked, “Is he worried I’ll reveal his identity? That’s why he’s playing the good husband in front of me.”
Callie was puzzled and stood up to see Nelson at the door on the phone, seemingly handling some matters.
“What did he say to you?”
Tobias’s tone was tinged with anger. “He said whatever I tell you, I can tell him too.”
Callie also felt that Nelson’s words had crossed a line. With his status, he shouldn’t be so ostentatious. But her mind was in a fog at that moment, so she just agreed absentmindedly, “Yes, he’s afraid you’ll reveal it.”