Chapter 10:
Rhys pulled his arm away, his expression unreadable, but his distaste was clear. The doctors’ reactions had already revealed whose translations were the accurate ones.
Rhys turned toward Harlee, his gaze filled with respect and gratitude.
“Thank you. If you hadn’t spoken up when you did, my grandpa’s life could have been at serious risk. The Green family owes you a great debt, and I, Rhys Green, won’t forget it. If you ever need anything from us, just say the word.”
Harlee gave a light wave, brushing off his thanks. She simply couldn’t stand by and do nothing when someone’s life was in danger.
Her part finished, Harlee turned to leave.
But suddenly, a hand caught hers. Startled, Harlee looked down to see Nathaniel Green, Rhys’ grandfather, the elderly man who had required immediate medical attention, clutching her hand while lying on the hospital bed.
He had regained consciousness at some point.
Nathaniel’s eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and sorrow, tears running down his wrinkled cheeks.
He gripped Harlee’s hand with surprising strength, his gaze full of yearning.
“Nicola, is it really you? Have you come back to see me?” he murmured.
“Mr. Green, you’re mistaken. I’m not Nicola,” Harlee replied, her brow furrowing as she tried to gently pull her hand free.
But even in his frail state, Nathaniel held on, as if on pure instinct.
His grip tightened, reddening her hand, refusing to let go.
“I can’t let you slip away again. If I do, you’ll vanish forever. I can’t live without you, Nicola. Please.
Don’t leave me again,” Nathaniel pleaded, his voice trembling.
The doctors exchanged worried glances as they watched the stubborn old man cling to Harlee with all he had. Time was running out. Nathaniel’s imminent surgery couldn’t be delayed. Rhys hadn’t anticipated his grandfather waking up so abruptly, let alone being so stubborn.
He crouched beside the bed, trying to persuade Nathaniel.
“Grandpa, please let go. She isn’t my grandma. You’re hurting her. You need to go through the surgery right now. If you don’t go through with it, you won’t see my grandma afterward, and that would make her sad.”
Realizing he was causing Harlee pain, Nathaniel quickly released her hand, though his eyes stayed fixed on her.
“Nicola, don’t go. Stay here. If you leave, I won’t go through with the surgery,” he muttered, his mind dazed yet his resolve firm.
Seeing Nathaniel confused yet determined, Rhys sighed and chose to give in to Nathaniel’s wish.
He stood up and turned to Harlee.
“My grandpa’s not in the state to be reasoned with right now.
Could you stay by the door and pretend to be my grandmother until the surgery is done? I’ll pay you twenty million for your trouble.” Knowing he was asking a lot, Rhys sweetened the deal to make it worth her while.
Harlee didn’t turn down the money that was offered.
With Harlee’s comforting words and assurances, Nathaniel finally ceased his protests and was wheeled into the operating room. Moments later, the red light above the door blinked on.
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