Female Novel
Chapter 103: Richard's Arrival
‘‘My mother?’’ Zac sneered when he heard Johnny loosely use this word.
He was, after all, an illegitimate son of the Reynolds family.Besides, after his biological mother had soldhim to the Reynolds family, he no longer thought of her as such.
At this time, Zac had forgotten that Tina, Johnny's legal wife, was also referred to as ‘mother’.
But she had a deep-seated hatred for Zac.
Johnny sighed deeply when he got no response out of Zac.
In a low voice, he said, "We're still your family, after all.And sometimes Tina can be strict with you, butit's for your own good.She means well."
Zac sneered more when he heard this.
He was baffled by the fact that his father couldn't tell right from wrong! ‘Is everything Tina has done tome for my own good? This has to be the biggest joke in the world!’ With a snort, Zac coldly replied, "I'llcome over when I have some time."
This was what he usually would say.
But returning to his family home or not would be dependent on his mood.
Hanging up the phone immediately, Zac gave Johnny no chance to attempt to persuade him intoreturning.
Zac then walked back toward Patricia's ward and looked at her from behind the glass door.
For some reason, he felt like some force was keeping him rooted to that spot, unwilling to let him take astep further and enter her room.
So, he could only stand outside her door foolishly and peer in.
Zac didn't know how long he stood outside her ward, but a significant amount of time had passed sincehis legs had gone numb.
He then walked away slowly.
He realized both Patricia and himself needed some time to calm down.
Guilt washed over him because he knew he hadn't been a good husband to her, nor did he knowanything about her personally.
And now, there is a wall around her heart, isolating my kindness from her.It appears that Patricia can'taccept my sincerity towards her.
Furthermore, she keeps distancing herself from me every time I try to close the gap.But I know she hasfeelings for me!' Zac was positive that he had read her correctly.
But he also knew that she was unwilling to accept and admit her feelings for horn.Zac couldn't help butsigh, his face full of melancholy.
He thought it best that they both take a couple days to calm down and think things through.He then leftthe hospital, his concern for her written all over his face.
Under the morning light, Patricia opened her eyes in a daze.
She didn't know when she fell asleep yesterday, but she knew that Zac hadn't returned after he had lefther room.
Fully awake now, she heard Dora's cheerful voice.
"Good morning, Miss Patricia.I'm here to serve you your breakfast and apply the medicine to yourback.You must be starving.By the way, you haven't brushed your teeth yet, right? Let me help you up."
It was so early in the morning, but Dora's bubbly personality kept her talking non-stop.Listening to Doraprattle away, Patricia couldn't help but laugh.
She thought that Dora was a rather amusing person.
After Dora helped her up, she looked around the room as if searching for something.
Seeing Patricia's expression, Dora smiled mischievously and immediately went up to her and began togossip, "Miss Patricia, are you looking for Mr.Reynolds?"
Hearing this, Patricia glared at Dora and explained seriously, "No! Dora, help me to wash my face andbrush my teeth."
Pursing her lips, Dora looked at Patricia's indifferent face in disappointment.
‘I thought she liked Zac? Was I overthinking the situation?’
Dora was so caught up in her own thoughts that she missed the sadness revealed in Patricia's eyes.
When Patricia hadn't seen Zac, she felt an emptiness inside her, as if something was missing from herheart.
Dora helped her freshen up and apply the medicine to her back.
By then, it was already ten o'clock.
Standing on the balcony, Patricia took in the beautiful scenery outside.
She couldn't help but think Zac's investment in the hospital had been put to good use as they had donea great job in maintaining the greenery.
Patricia heard a familiar voice filling her room.
Turning around, she saw her mother standing by the ward's door along with a middle-aged man.
‘Who is he?"
Patricia felt some familiarity when she saw this man.
‘‘If I remember correctly, the man in front of me is my stepfather, Richard.’’ Although she had only methim once, she had a deep impression of him.
He was a gentle and cultivated man, polite to everyone, and loved her mother dearly.
This was the impression that Richard had imprinted on her, and it remained true from her childhood tillnow.
"Patricia!"
Worried about her daughter, Giselle walked up to Patricia with tears in her eyes.
Giving her daughter a quick once-over, Giselle reached out to hug Patricia but was stopped by Dora.
"Miss Patricia's body is in no condition to tolerate an embrace.If you want her to recover quickly, thenyou should save your hugs for the future.Besides, I just applied medicine on her body, so touching hernow wouldn't be a wise choice."
Hearing the sternness in Dora's voice, Giselle and Richard looked towards Patricia for answers.Seeingthis, Patricia smiled gently and motioned for Dora to go out.
She explained to them, "Dora is my personal nurse.She's a lovely girl with a lively personality."
Giselle was relieved to hear that.
With a distressed look on her face, Giselle reached out her hand and touched Patricia's pale face.novelbin
"Patricia, you've suffered a lot! Had it not been for Zac's call, I would not have known just how muchyou've had to endure."
Giselle couldn't help but burst into tears as she spoke.
The sorrowful look on her face made her look like she was blaming herself for the hardships herdaughter had suffered.
"Mom, don't overthink the situation.I'm fine now, aren't I?"
Patricia comforted Giselle in a soft voice.
Looking over at Richard, Patricia hoped he would step in and comfort her mother in her stead as it wasimpossible for her to currently do anything.
Understanding the subtle look in Patricia's eyes, Richard made his way over to Giselle's side.
Gently wiping the tears off her face, he said in a soft voice, "Seeing you like this will only make Patriciamore embarrassed and pained.She has already been injured and needs time to recover.Do you alsowant her to worry about you while she recuperates?"
Upon hearing this, Giselle's crying slowly subsided.
Wiping away the remainder of her tears, she forced a smile onto her face.
"You are right.I can't have Patricia worrying about me."
Patricia beamed when she saw this and nodded gratefully to Richard.
It was clear that he had his own way of coaxing a smile out of Giselle.
Seeing Patricia's grin, Richard smiled in return.
Although this wasn't his first time meeting her, it had been the first time he had seen her since shebecame an adult.
He had to admit that she was not how the rumors reported her to be.
Besides, he preferred to believe in facts and what he saw with his own eyes rather than believing ingossip and rumors.
For example, at this time, what he saw was not just a young lady from a well-educated family but abeautiful, strong woman who had blossomed from a little girl.
He was pleased to see her like this.
Compared to many other young ladies of wealthy families, Patricia had surpassed them all in terms ofmanners and personality.
Seeing the admiration in Richard's eyes, Patricia nodded politely.
She could only answer the praise he bestowed upon her with a smile.
"Patricia, you didn't listen to me and instead went to Sullivan's birthday party.Look at where that gotyou! You're injured again because of them!"
Giselle cast a reproachful glance at Patricia though she felt sorry for her daughter.
'l only have one daughter.Unfortunately for me, she is very stubborn and wouldn't listen to my advice.’
"Mom, I'm fine now.It's just a couple of bruises,"
Patricia said in a relaxed tone, acting as if this was not a big deal.
Hearing this, Dora, who was standing at the door, interrupted her discontentedly, "No, Miss Patricia.Youmustn't lie.Have you already forgotten what the doctor said? You need to rest for a week in order tofully recuperate."
Patricia turned her gaze on Dora and pursed her lips unhappily.
‘Why is she messing around at a time like this?’