Chapter 1808
Chapter 1808
"I know you're doing this for me, but I hope that he's creating a fruitful outcome rather than a worst case scenario."
Looking at the people inside, Raeleigh was seized by a feeling of emptiness. Everyone else knew about it, but he just could not grasp it. He didn't understand the importance of giving.
Even Austin could understand it, but he could not wrap his head around it at all. Raeleigh wanted to say something, but she was speechless in the end.
He did not intend to beseech her to stay. In his eyes, it was undeniable that she was his woman. Therefore, when he heard that she had already become Austin's wife, he never considered letting her go or giving her a choice despite his fury and sorrow.
Disregarding such views, he wanted to force her to stay by his side, making it impossible for her to go anywhere else.
Raeleigh was aware that it was a sign of love. However, what she didn't know was that his love was like a shackle that locked her up, restricting her from her freedom.
"If he can get the picture, then I will let you and your daughter go."
After speaking, Austin walked to the side and sat down. Shaney slid down from Raeleigh and ran to him. He raised his hands to wipe Shaney's tears. "It's okay for girls to shed tears, but you can't cry for no reason. Do you remember what I said?"
"Yes, girls need to be strong. We can't be looked down on by others." Shaney sniffed.
"Your dad is alright, he will be fine."
"How do you know?"
"Have I ever lied to you?" Austin asked.
Shaney shook her head in response. Austin then held her in his arms and patted her. "Then your dad will be fine."
"Okay."
Hearing that her father would be fine, Shaney cheered up. She leaned into Austin's arms and he caressed her head. This was a tender side of him that only very few have seen.
Raeleigh stood aside and observed all this. She understood what Austin meant. He wanted to say that Jepherson was fine and that the reason why he had not gotten up was because he was injured. There was also the possibility of him pretending to be severely injured.
"Shaney... I would like to know, if your dad wakes up and wants you to stay, would you be willing to stick with me for a while longer?"
Shaney blinked her eyes twice. "Of course I am."
Austin cracked a smile. "Then, you can visit your dad later and make sure he's okay, then we can head back after that. I've also been a little busy these days so you'll have to help me take care of Hector and Cedric."
Shaney blinked in response. At the thought of Cedric and Heitor, she nodded instantly and agreed.
"Let's go, then." Austin wiped away Shaney's tears. Shaney was released from his arms. She got up to take a look and walked to the doors of the wards when someone opened it for Shaney to enter. Raeleigh stood outside, feeling on edge. She had no idea what would happen next.
If what Austin said was true, Jepherson would definitely wake up soon, which indicated that he had been deliberately deceiving them.
There was a complicated look in Raeleigh's eyes. Shaney entered the ward and looked around. The nurses panicked when they saw Shaney, who spoke up immediately, "Miss, I'm his daughter and I've come to see him. Don't worry I won't disturb you. My mom is watching me from outside. I'll
leave after I say a few words."
All the nurses focused their eyes on Raeleigh. They knew her.
Raeleigh nodded while the nurses filed out one after another. Shaney approached Jepherson and rested her chin on the hospital bed. Noticing that there were many medical apparatuses nearby, she did not dare move around. She stood by the bed and whispered into Jepherson's ear, "It's Shaney, Dad. I'm here to see you."
Jepherson moved his hand slowly before he opened his eyes to gaze at the little girl beside him. Then, he lifted his hands, took away the oxygen mask and got up from the bed.
After taking off all the things on his body one by one, Jepherson sat up and stared at the little girl, whose big eyes were fixed onto him. He bent down, held her in his arms, kissed her forehead and embraced her tightly.
Shaney gaped at the man in front of her and hugged him back. "Dad, are you okay?"
"Okay... I'm okay..."
Jepherson looked out of the window with his dark eyes and Raeleigh's face was white as snow. She couldn't help but land her eyes on Austin, who was sitting on the chair. Austin said, "Do you still trust him now? He's a man who will do anything in order to achieve his goals."
Raeleigh pursed her lips. "There's nothing I can do since I have no way out at the moment. Falling in love with someone like him is equal to losing myself."
"Losing isn't a big deal. The question is how the winner treats you as his opponent. Does he do it nobly or with contempt?"
"It takes two to tango. Is there really right or wrong in a relationship?"
"Are you admitting to it?"
"What else can I do?"
Raeleigh turned around. She knew that Jepherson was a calculating person and a schemer due to his upbringing. However, he didn't hurt people. He just fought for what he desired in his own way.
Jepherson hugged his daughter and played with her for a moment in the ICU. The father and daughter duo got along well without any hitches. That was the most magical thing about Jepherson. It left Raeleigh amazed as to why Shaney liked Jepherson so much.
When the Jepherson and Shaney exited the ward, Jepherson was clueless that Austin was also here. Jepherson went straight to Raeleigh with their daughter in his arms, trying to kiss Raeleigh, who evaded it immediately.
"Behave yourself."
Raeleigh pulled a long face and took a step back.
Jepherson's expression darkened. "How can I still behave myself?"
"Do you need me to teach you?" Austin stood up with a look of irritation in his eyes. Jepherson paused to look at him. Holding his daughter, he turned to stare at Austin, his eyes were filled with sheer frost. "Austin."
"Shaney, get down. Your dad has just recovered a little. It's not good to exhaust him." Shaney was quite obedient to Austin. She twisted her little body to get down without hesitation. Jepherson said to her, "I'm fine, I've recovered. If you go off, I'll feel bad."
"Dad, I need to go to the restroom."
Shaney came up with an immediate excuse. Jepherson was startled for a quick moment before letting Shaney go to Raeleigh. Be it an outspoken strife or a secret plot against each other, it was not that Raeleigh wasn't aware of it, but she didn't like to involve her daughter in such matters.
Raeleigh took Shaney to the washroom. The girl faked her excuse to use the toilet, but she ended up using it either way. Raeleigh had initially wanted to tell her something, but the words stuck in her throat after she bent down in front of Shaney. She promptly stood back up. No matter who it was, it was improper to talk about people behind their backs.
Jepherson was just fine. When the car accident happened, he had injured his head. He didn't lapse into unconsciousness and there was no need for him to be admitted to ICU. It was an order given by him to several doctors.
After Raeleigh left, Jepherson's eyes fell on Austin.
"Thank you for returning my daughter to me."
"Oh, please, make no mistake. I'll never return Shaney to anybody. I'm going to keep her by my side. I only brought her here to see you. As for allowing her to go back to the Richards family, don't even think about it." Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
"This isn't up to you." Jepherson's gaze was ice cold. Meanwhile, Jared and Fehmen walked out. Austin seemed to pay it no mind. "Do you think you can stop me by doing this?"
"There's nothing wrong with trying."
"Uncle...what are they doing?"
When Shaney came back and saw them, she made a dash for Austin and held his leg instantaneously. Austin bent down to carry her up while beaming at her. "It's okay, your dad wanted to treat me to dinner."
"Oh, I see." Shaney then turned to look at Jepherson, whose expression became gentle in a tick against the concealed conflict and anger resonating within him.