Sirena and Caesar managed to calm Audrey’s blood pressure and heart rate after much effort. Finally, the monitor no longer showed alarming numbers.
After Audrey fell asleep, Sirena stepped out of the hospital room.
Looking up, she saw Ulric standing at the corner of the corridor, smoking one cigarette after another.
He was so tall that he blocked half of the moonlight from the window, casting a long shadow.
Sirena took a deep breath and walked towards him.
“Whether you believe it or not, I genuinely care for your mother. If you’re really unwilling to marry me, I won’t force you. But you’ve seen your mother’s condition. If you keep being stubborn, even doctors have their limits.”
Ulric paused, slightly turning his face to glance at her with his dark eyes.
“Don’t try to persuade me.”
“I know it’s futile, so I’m just here to offer a suggestion.”
Seeing no response from him, Sirena continued, “The doctor said your mother can’t handle any more stress. Since you don’t want to part with Rosalind, the only option is for me to stay with you and put on an act, pretending we’re together.”
“I’m not interested.”
“You will be! Your mother barely survived this time. What about next time? Think it over.” Sirena lowered her eyelashes, her tone tinged with self-mockery. “I don’t want to degrade myself either, I have my pride. But for your mother’s sake, I’m willing to act with you. Privately, whatever happens between you and Rosalind is none of my business. I won’t interfere with either of you.”
Ulric didn’t speak, he just stubbed out his cigarette.
Ignoring Sirena, he headed straight for the hospital room.
Behind him, she shouted, “If you agree, I’ll take the blame for this incident so Rosalind can continue working in the investment industry. I’ll admit to framing her and publicly apologize.”
Ulric’s steps hesitated slightly but he didn’t turn back.
“You should apologize to her anyway, it’s what you owe her.”
“You!” Sirena was almost hysterical. “You’ve never trusted me, have you?”
Rosalind had no real evidence!
Most people believed Sirena!
From any angle, Ulric should be on her side. So why did she lose to Rosalind?
…
That night, Rosalind tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Ulric hadn’t called.
She imagined his mother must be causing quite a scene at the hospital.
Rosalind didn’t think Audrey’s reaction was unreasonable. Families like theirs would naturally want their son to marry someone of equal status who could benefit his career. She had to admit that Sirena, despite being an illegitimate child, had done better than her in every way, education, talent, and qualifications.
Moreover, Sirena and her mother wouldn’t tell the Walters family that she was an illegitimate child.
Finally, Rosalind’s phone rang.
Seeing Ulric’s name on the screen made her heart skip a beat, heavy yet happy, a complex feeling.
“Did I wake you?”
When she answered, Ulric’s voice was hoarse and deep, likely from a sleepless night.
“No, how’s your mother?”
“She’s fine. The doctor said she’s out of danger.”
“Oh.”
After that, they fell into silence again.
After a long pause, Rosalind suddenly broke it. “Do you need to stay at the hospital to take care of her?”
“No need. I’ve already left the hospital.”
“Then can you come pick me up?” Rosalind bit her lip. “I… I can’t sleep well at Tilda’s place…”