La Novels
Chap 46
It’s burdensome for Gladwin to leave Flavia at the hospital even though he knows she’s not alone. You might say Gladwin is dramatic, but that’s the reality. If only he didn’t have the responsibilities of being a doctor and the need to continue living as a human being, he would want to forget all his duties, ignore everyone who needs him, and choose to keep accompanying Flavia.
But he took the doctor’s oath. He must not ignore those who need his help. Patients can choose their doctors, but doctors can’t choose their patients. It’s not that he doesn’t trust the medical staff or Abigail. But yes, as Jonas said, Gladwin has become infatuated. Because the fact is, Gladwin is now in a position of falling head over heels for Flavia’s charm. Despite Flavia doing nothing but sleeping day and night. But because of that, Gladwin is afraid of missing the moment when Flavia wakes up. What he wants is to be the first person Flavia sees when she opens her eyes. To be the first person Flavia touches when she wakes up.
Should Gladwin try the methods used by princes in Snow White or Princess Aurora to wake Flavia up? Like kissing her. But what if Flavia’s true love isn’t him? Isn’t it mentioned in Maleficent that true love is a mother’s love?
Oh God, Gladwin seems to be going crazy. How could he equate real life with a children’s movie? Gladwin parked his car outside Abigail’s parents’ house. He did it on purpose because he didn’t intend to stay long in that house. Just to check on his mother’s condition and then return to the hospital afterward. As he said, he didn’t want to be far from his beloved girl for too long.
Gladwin didn’t even bother entering through the front door. He chose to enter through the side door, which he knew was never locked before Nin Hindun returned to the back pavilion.
Gladwin greeted and didn’t notice that there were already some people sitting in the family room. However, a voice diverted his steps towards them. “Well, here comes Gladwin.” Gladwin heard his mother’s voice.
Gladwin entered and was quite surprised to see their guests. Besides Abigail’s parents and his own mother, Phoebe and Penelope were also there. “Darling, why are you so late?” His mother reproached with a pouting face that made Gladwin squint.
Was his mother sulking because he arrived relatively late? Didn’t his mother mention feeling unwell earlier, but now she seemed cheerful…
“Look, Phoebe has prepared dinner for us.” His mother said again with cheerfulness that Gladwin considered excessive. Gladwin stared at his mother with tightly clenched jaw and fists.
His concern turned into anger, evident from his now cynical gaze. His mother still didn’t know about Flavia’s condition, and Gladwin, along with Flavia’s parents, didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of causing unnecessary worry. He himself didn’t know if Phoebe was aware of Flavia’s whereabouts and condition. As a doctor, they don’t know about all the patients unless the patients are under their care. And if Phoebe did know, it seemed she was good at keeping secrets.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
Correction, not secrets. But the woman was adept at keeping her mouth shut so that people’s attention wouldn’t shift to Flavia.
Gladwin tried to contain his anger. Instead of waiting for Flavia, he was forced to play along with his mother and the woman. Abigail was right, this was a trap. But he wouldn’t ask for the girl’s help. He would handle it on his own.
“Mom, aren’t you supposed to be sick?” Gladwin asked, one of his eyebrows raised, but he tried to keep his voice calm. Not explosive as he desired.
His mother’s face blushed. “Mm… at first, yes. But suddenly I got better because Phoebe is here,” she continued without daring to look directly at Gladwin. Gladwin looked at Phoebe, who was now smiling shyly. “It’s amazing if that’s the case. Mom doesn’t need a checkup; just seeing Phoebe makes her instantly recover. Does Phoebe have some kind of healing powder in her body, Mom?” He sarcastically remarked as he approached and politely kissed the back of Penelope’s hand. “But Gladwin is puzzled. Mom called Gladwin less than half an hour ago. If Gladwin calculates with the cooking show, it’s impossible to finish cooking in half an hour. It feels a bit disconnected.”
“So, Mom was sick first, and then Phoebe cooked. Or did Phoebe cook first, and then Mom got sick, and she healed Mom?” Gladwin looked at his mother, who was now fidgeting, desperately searching for an excuse.
Suddenly, the elderly woman got up. “Oh, the food is getting cold. Come on, dear. It’s a pity Phoebe has worked so hard to cook for you.” His mother stood up abruptly, inviting everyone there to head to the dining table.
Abigail’s parents also got up, surrounding the rectangular table where the food was already arranged. “All of this is Phoebe’s cooking, you know. She’s amazing. Beautiful and a great cook,” praised his mother. Gladwin just smiled and took a seat next to his sister-in-law, while Phoebe grabbed a chair beside him.
“Shall I serve for you?” Phoebe offered again. She reached for Gladwin’s plate and was about to turn it, but Gladwin stopped her hand. “No need,” he ordered in a cold tone that halted Phoebe’s movement. His mother looked at him in surprise. All the food in front of him was Gladwin’s favorite, and usually, he never refused.
“Oh, you want to take your own food.” Phoebe tried to cover her embarrassment with an awkward smile. She then turned her own plate and started spooning food onto it.
Seeing everyone had taken their meals while Gladwin remained silent, his mother called out to him. “Gladwin, aren’t you eating?”
“Gladwin came home to check on Mom, who claimed to be sick, not for dinner,” replied Gladwin flatly. Gladwin sensed Phoebe tensing up. Then his sister-in-law’s elbow nudged his stomach.
“Be a little polite,” whispered Abigail’s mother.
“I am polite, sister. Sitting here and accompanying you for dinner is within my limits of politeness. Going home after finding out Mom’s alleged illness, which turned out to be a lie, and not causing a scene is also considered polite,” replied Gladwin in his usual flat tone.