“I won’t have it! You must stay with me!” Tilda exclaimed, her expression a mix of concern and determination.
Malcolm’s gaze shifted to her cheek, noticing something amiss.
“Rosa, your face…”
At his observation, Tilda turned to look, her eyes widening in shock.
“Oh my goodness! What happened to you? Did your mother harm you again?” she questioned, worry evident in her voice.
“No, no, this time it was my own doing,” Rosalind responded, covering the injury with her hand, signaling her reluctance to elaborate.
Just as Tilda was about to press further, Malcolm gently intervened, silently urging her to hold back.
“Let me help you with your bags upstairs. Tilda mentioned a housewarming celebration today, so I’ll treat you both to a nice meal,” he suggested, steering the conversation in a more positive direction.
“Yay! Cousin, you’re amazing! Let’s go, Rosa, time to head upstairs!” Tilda exclaimed cheerfully, eager to uplift the mood.
Rosalind nodded gratefully and followed them.
Out of habit, she pulled out her phone and checked WhatsApp.
Still no messages from Ulric-no calls, no texts. It was as if he had vanished after the accident.
Cedric had mentioned calling her that morning, indicating he was awake and active but chose not to reach out to her.
She wasn’t surprised. She wasn’t a priority. Why would Ulric bother getting in touch after the accident?
…
In the hospital’s VIP room, Ulric was having his bandages changed by the doctor.
Thankfully, his injuries weren’t severe. He had a bump on his forehead and some cuts and bruises on his limbs from the crash.
“Where’s my phone? Pass it to me,” he requested, his expression slightly troubled, likely due to the medication.
Johnny handed him the phone, and Ulric opened WhatsApp, landing on his conversation with Rosalind. The last message she had sent was clear:
[My mom is very emotional right now. Please don’t come!]
“You can read it a thousand times, but it won’t change the truth-she doesn’t care about you,” Johnny remarked, his words sharp and pointed.
Ulric’s gaze shot up, his features dark with a mix of emotions.
Johnny recoiled slightly, continuing, “I’m just stating facts. She’s feeling guilty and fearful of your presence. I’ve sent you footage from the hospital corridors. She mentioned bringing her boyfriend herself! Ulric, has she ever introduced you like that to her mother?”
The answer was evident.
She maintained a distance, wary of any connection beyond their arrangement.
“Does she know about the accident?” Ulric’s voice was strained, carrying a weight of emotion.
“Sirena defended you and informed her,” Johnny confirmed.
“Did she come?” Ulric inquired urgently.
Johnny hesitated before responding, “Yes, she did briefly, but she left swiftly. She didn’t even wait by the emergency room.”
Ulric processed this information silently.
“So, she doesn’t care for you. No matter what you do, you’ll only hurt yourself. As the W Group CEO, you have your pick of any woman. Why fixate on her?” Johnny pressed on, but Ulric seemed lost in his thoughts.
After a pause, he spoke slowly, “Did she truly leave quickly?”
Johnny was taken aback but nodded after a moment. “Yes! Did you happen to see her when you were being moved from the emergency room?”
No, he hadn’t. Ulric had been transferred to another room, but Rosalind wasn’t aware of that fact.
“Let’s not dwell on this. Has she made any effort to contact you so far? Ulric, if she truly cared, wouldn’t she have sent at least one message?” Ulric seemed lost in his thoughts, the questions lingering in the air.