Callie took a nap and slept until the afternoon. When she opened her eyes, she found Nelson already awake, working on the sofa.
“Awake?”
“Yeah,” she replied groggily.
“Get ready, we’re going to the hospital.”
“Okay,” Callie mumbled, still half-asleep, then suddenly snapped awake. “What?!”
She had wanted Nelson to visit Reuben with her but hadn’t mentioned it yet. She didn’t expect him to suggest it on his own.
In the evening, Callie and Nelson entered the hospital room together, finding a lively scene with laughter and conversation.
Nelson, carrying some gifts, stood out with his striking appearance, surprising everyone at first glance.
The head nurse, who had seen him before, greeted him warmly, “Oh, Mr. Oconnor is here again. How thoughtful.”
Nelson responded politely, “I’m here to visit an elder.”
The term “elder” was used rather subtly.
The head nurse glanced at their clasped hands, paused briefly, then continued smiling.
She stepped aside, allowing Nelson to come into view of Reuben, who was resting on the bed.
Nelson leaned forward and shook Reuben’s hand with a smile. “Uncle, I’m Callie’s husband. Sorry for being late; I’ve been busy recently.”
Reuben was very happy to learn his daughter was married. But when he saw Nelson’s face clearly, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he tightened his grip on Nelson’s hand. “You…”
Nelson observed closely, frowning slightly as his polite facade slipped away.
That look made Reuben shiver.
Callie was already nervous and instinctively wanted to step forward when she saw the silent exchange between the two men.
At that moment, Reuben smiled and said, “Alright, I’ve heard about you from Callie. Your last name is Oconnor?”
“Yes, Nelson Oconnor. You can call me Nelson.”
Reuben smiled warmly.
Callie felt a pang of anxiety. Very few people in the world called Nelson by his first name, and now Reuben was one of them.
“Alright,” Reuben pointed at Callie. “You step out for a bit. I want to have a private chat with Nelson.”
Nelson also smiled back.
“What are you going to talk about?” Callie couldn’t guess what Reuben wanted to say. The head nurse, understanding the situation, gently pushed Callie out of the room. “Don’t you get it? Your dad wants to vet him for you. Stop acting like a child!”
The door closed behind her. Callie instinctively wanted to move forward but was stopped. “What are you doing? Worried about your husband?”
“It’s not that…” Callie couldn’t articulate her feelings. She couldn’t imagine what Reuben and Nelson would talk about; they seemed like people from different worlds.
“Forget it.”
She sat down on a bench in the corridor, feeling a strange sense of support as if she was no longer alone.
“I think this Mr. Oconnor is quite good. But for some reason, I feel like he’s not an ordinary person. It’s good that your dad is evaluating your husband.”
Callie thought to herself that she was afraid Reuben might find something out.
Meanwhile, inside the room-
Nelson had changed his stance, looking down at the elderly man on the bed after hearing him say, “You are Nelson Oconnor from Oconnor Group.”
Reuben’s tone was so certain that it surprised him.
“Uncle, you know me?”
Reuben looked at him for a long time before suddenly laughing. “I’ve been bedridden for a while and can only watch TV. I see you on it every day; of course, I recognize you.”
So that’s how it was.
Nelson nodded, not forgetting that Reuben was his father-in-law.
“Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Callie.”
Reuben’s gaze drifted as if he was using all his strength to speak. “How did you two meet?”