Chapter 8
At that moment, Greta and Patrick joined the scene.
Greta was settled in a wheelchair, which Patrick was pushing. As soon as he walked in, Patrick launched into a tirade against Nellie. "Nellie, what's gotten into you? If you're sick, you should be resting in the hospital, not sneaking out! Because of that, Cameron had to turn
the world upside down to look for you. No wonder your wound got infected. How can you be so careless?"
Nellie stared at Patrick with a blank expression, but his scolding seemed to rub her the wrong way. Her irritation flared, and she snapped back, "Who are you to lecture me? Even my own parents never talked to me like this. What gives you the right to boss me around?" Patrick was shocked into silence. Nellie's words hit him where it hurt. Sure, he was her biological father, but he hadn't been around to raise her. Did that mean he had no right to tell her off?
"Cameron, what's up with her?" Patrick asked, clearly perplexed.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
"She's lost her memory," Cameron replied, his tone as flat as a pancake.
Patrick was taken aback. "Memory loss? So, she doesn't recognize me as her dad anymore?" A wave of sadness washed over him.
Cameron turned to Patrick, speaking slowly, "She had a hypnotist erase us from her memories."
Patrick stood there, stunned. A shame he'd never felt before began to creep in. He glanced at Nellie, his face flushed with embarrassment, and lamented, "Nel, why would you choose to forget your own dad?"
He was banking on the idea that, like before, if he showed a bit of remorse, Nellie would start feeling guilty. But this was a new Nellie, reborn and stronger. She pointed at the door, making it clear. "I want all of you to leave. I need some time alone." Patrick felt his pride taking a hit, and it made his temper flare. He had no patience for Nellie's attitude and burst out, "Nellie, how dare you talk to me like that? I came here out of concern, and you want me to leave? How can you be so disrespectful?" Nellie shot back, "If you're my dad, shouldn't you have taught me manners? If I'm disrespectful, maybe it's because you didn't do your job. Now, please, just leave."
Cameron stood up, giving Patrick a nudge. "Let's go. She probably needs some space right now."
Patrick's face turned a furious shade of red.
Greta rolled herself closer to the bed, her voice gentle as she tried to reason with Nellie. "Sweetheart, I get it. You didn't want to donate your kidney to me, especially since Cameron asked you to."
The mention of the kidney got Nellie all riled up. "What? Donate a kidney? Why should I give mine to you? If I do, won't I suffer too?"
Cameron was taken aback by Nellie's reaction, only now realizing that the whole kidney donation ordeal wasn't as peaceful as he assumed. Deep down, Nellie was genuinely upset about it, and it made sense why she grew distant afterward. Cameron gently reminded Greta, "Greta, let's not bring this up around Nel anymore." As if avoiding the topic would magically mend things with Nellie.
Greta switched gears. "Nellie, I have a favor to ask. Cameron and I truly love each other. Please, let him go. I can't live without him. Could you consider divorcing him, for your sister's sake?"
After Greta finished, Cameron fell silent, his eyes fixed on Nellie, waiting for her answer.