Since she feigned her fainting and went to the hospital, Summer could no longer find any opportunity to go out. Leonardo had even stationed two family doctors in the mansion, just in case.
The mansion had multiple layers of security, and it was guarded by the bodyguards. It was more to keep Summer in than prevent intruders from the outside. There was no way she could get out now.
Leonardo had not come home for a long time. It was not until the seventh day of the New Year that Summer saw him sitting on the sofa when she woke up in the morning.
He was leaning on the sofa with his eyes closed, looking tired. His breathing was shallow, and he appeared serene. There was a heater in the room, but it was still cold without a blanket. Leonardo was only wearing a dress shirt and jacket.
Summer slipped out of the duvet and the bed. Then she took a woolen blanket to put over him. But as soon as she leaned over to cover him with the blanket, he opened his eyes.
Summer could not help but shudder when she saw his unfathomable eyes.
“You’re awake.”
While she spoke, she stood upright.
Leonardo placed the blanket over to one side and sat up as he massaged his brows. After a long while, he spoke. “Grandpa woke up once last night.”
“You mean Grandpa has regained consciousness?” Summer was excited.
Leonardo looked up at her with a hard-to-read expression. “Don’t get excited just yet. He couldn’t recognize anyone.”
Summer was happy that Grandpa Emerson had finally regained his consciousness. One more thing was, once Grandpa Emerson was awake, he could testify on her innocence. But what Leonardo said made her heart sink to the bottom.
“What do you mean?”
“Get ready, we’re going to the hospital.” He got up and entered the bathroom.
…
Summer followed Leonardo to the hospital.
People had gathered inside the ward, but it was quiet. When Leonardo and Summer arrived, the rest consciously stepped aside for them to walk in.
Summer followed Leonardo, and as she got near, she had a clear view of Grandpa Emerson. He was awake.
A maid was feeding him water by putting a straw to his mouth. Grandpa Emerson did not seem to be aware, as he tilted his head away, looking nowhere. His lips were slightly parted with water oozing out of the corner of his mouth.
Leonardo reprimanded the maid, “Can’t you even do this properly?”
The maid quivered in fear and forced the straw into Grandpa Emerson’s mouth. Grandpa Emerson took a couple of sips before he played with the straw and chewed on it like a child.
Summer was shocked when she saw Grandpa Emerson’s actions. Then she turned to look at Leonardo in disbelief. “How could Grandpa become like this?”
“He’s been like this since he woke up.” Leonardo did not portray any emotions on his face. It was not possible to know what he was thinking.
Summer’s eyes welled up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she spoke with a brittle voice. “Grandpa?”
But Grandpa Emerson did not respond.
She did not give up. “Grandpa, it’s me, Summer.”
Grandpa Emerson continued to tilt his head, mumbling something and ignoring the people around him.
“That’s enough!”
Kate, who had been silent the entire time, stepped out. “Stop shedding your crocodile tears. Get out!” She looked unconcerned.
Summer glanced at Kate, sniffling as she softly said to Grandpa Emerson, “Grandpa, I have to go now. I’ll see you next time.”
Unlike his previous unresponsiveness, Grandpa Emerson suddenly chuckled.
Summer fought back her tears, got up, and left the ward. Kate followed her with Leonardo on her tail as they proceeded to a quiet corner. Summer and Kate were at the front, and as they stopped, Kate sneered. “Summer, looking at what Grandpa has become, if you still have the slightest conscience, please stop lying now and tell us whether you pushed him or not!”
“It wasn’t me!” Summer looked back at her unyieldingly. “My answer will still be the same even if you ask me for the thousandth time.”
“Fine!” Kate scoffed. “Once the investigation shows that you were the one who did it, be prepared to spend the rest of your life in jail!” She threw her hands up and left. As she walked past Leonardo, she stopped. “Leonardo, we’ll get to the bottom of this case. You better pray that once the truth surfaces, your woman is clean.”
Leonardo did not seem to hear her; he was not even looking at her. He went past her and stood in front of Summer.
“What did the doctor say? Will Grandpa recover?” What Summer was concerned about was Grandpa Emerson’s condition.
Leonardo looked down at her. “He probably will.”
That meant the possibility for Grandpa Emerson to recover was very slim. Summer hugged herself with one hand on her forehead. “What about the police?”
“They’re waiting for the investigation.” Leonardo’s reply was ambiguous.
“What if they think I’m the culprit?” Summer asked.
“Then you will have to face the law.” Leonardo’s voice was frosty and cruel.
She shuddered, trying to remain calm. “You know that I didn’t push Grandpa.”
“I don’t know.” Leonardo looked as cold as his word.
She bit her lip, pushed him away, and ran.
Leonardo was transfixed for two seconds before he came to his senses and gave chase. “Summer, stop running!”
She felt the Grandpa case weighing her down like a stone. She could not breathe. The most unfortunate thing was that Leonardo’s attitude did not help; it seemed like the last straw that broke the camel’s back. If she continued to stay in the hospital, she would go insane.
Leonardo’s car was parked in front of the entrance. Summer ran out of the hospital and drove away. When Leonardo came out, all he could see was the tail lamps of his vehicle. He gritted his teeth and kicked the flower bed beside him.
The bodyguards spotted him and came up to greet him. He turned to them and burst.
“Didn’t you see that Mrs. Emerson has driven the car? Get me another one!”
Summer had lost control of her emotions, and she was pregnant. He was worried about her. One bodyguard obtained another car for him, and he left them there after he jumped in and drove away to chase Summer.
Summer was coming apart at the seams, but she was still conscious of her body’s condition and not driving dangerously.
Leonardo caught up with Summer not long after.