However, Abigail quickly noticed the man’s resemblance to Dennis and thought right then that the man was his son.
Finn gave Abigail a look, hinting that they should go because Neil Turner appeared agitated.
He was certainly worried that Neil would say something that upset Abigail, since she was not Dennis’s family and had no authority to sign the consent forms for the surgery.
It would be ideal if the surgery was a success, since Dennis’s family had no issue to pursue and they would even be grateful to Abigail.
But if Dennis died, they would have every reason to pursue responsibility.
Abigail was not about to hide, however.
Whatever happened had happened, and she did what she did—hiding would not solve anything.
Neil stormed toward them with a furious glare. “Who do you think you are? You have no right to give the surgery a green light.”
“Director Turner was in danger. There was no time to think,” Abigail explained.
“That still doesn’t give you the right to decide for my father,” he growled sharply. “Not when you have no familial connection to him. You have my thanks if he’s alright, but if anything bad happens, it’s on you! Where is he now?”
“He’s placed in the ICU after surgery,” Abigail said. “You’re not allowed to see him for now.”
Neil started glaring again. “What? The ICU? How bad is he doing?!”
Ray had just left the operating room then, and he helped Abigail out of the bind. “The surgery was a success. We just have to wait and see if the patient goes through the next 48 hours without issues.”
“Fine, I will believe that my father is fine for now.”
The other employees of Hotmesh Research knew Neil.
All of them assured him that Abigail meant no harm to Dennis, and that the surgery was performed without Neil’s family’s consent because he was facing serious risk.
Since they spoke on Abigail’s behalf, Neil did not pursue the issue further for the time being.
Finn then leaned in to whisper into Abigail’s ear, “Our own people contacted Director Turner’s family, since we shouldn’t hide it from them.”
Abigail naturally knew that, and she therefore did not blame anyone or argue.
In fact, she knew very well that Neil was upset because she had disregarded the procedure.
Ray told Abigail then, “You must be worn out after the surgery. You should get some rest—I’ve spoken to ICU, and they’ll contact me if anything comes up.”
“Thank you,” Abigail said, turning toward him then and whipping out her phone. “You can have my number. Give me a shout if there’s something.”
“Okay,” Ray replied.
After getting Ray’s number, she put away her phone and told Finn, “I won’t be going back to Hotmesh Research. Just call me if there are any problems.”
“Okay,” Finn replied.
Abigail glanced at Neil then, who was still surrounded by Hotmesh employees.
She was pleased to hear that everyone was speaking on her behalf—no matter what happened, she now had their confidence.
She turned away and headed out then.
Eagle, who was waiting outside, opened the car door for her when he saw her arrive.
Getting inside, she said, “Home.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Eagle said and he went to the driver’s seat.
At the same time, Abigail closed her eyes from exhaustion.
…
Lulu Adams and Martin York got married, though there was no grand ceremony.
They simply put together a small feast, inviting friends and family.
Lulu was dressed in white while Martin looked imposing in his military uniform.
They were formally wed amid the blessings of friends and family.
As they retired for the night, Martin handed her a chest.
She opened it and was stunned when she saw what was inside!
Staring at Martin with disbelief, Lulu asked, “What is this?”
“I know it took you a lot of courage to marry me, and that you didn’t marry for love,” Martin told her. “But whether it’s impulse or recompense, I’m happy. So, even though I’m not rich enough to afford you an extravagant lifestyle, all I have is yours.”
Holding her gaze, he continued, “My father was an officer, but he died in the line of duty when I was twelve. My mother never remarried and raised me on her own, but she died from stomach cancer when I was 24. They left me with this house—the same one I grew up in—and I want to give it to you. That’s why I registered you as a co-owner of this house.”
Picking up a yellow card, he said, “Here’s the savings my parents left me. It’s worth over ten grand.”
Picking up another card, he said, “This is my personal savings. There’s up to 40 grand, and I have that much because I don’t use it much.”
Lulu stared at everything in the box.
They were so simple, yet precious and held immense sentimental value.
She rasped, “It’s too much, I…”
“You married me, and that makes you family.” Martin smiled. “What’s mine is yours, and although I don’t spend too much, I’m not great with money either. That’s why I’m leaving it with you.”
“No.” Lulu still could not accept it.
“Play nice now—take it,” Martin said, putting the box in her hands. “I’m on duty tonight. Get some rest soon.”
And with that, he left the house.
Lulu was still in her bridal gown, holding everything that Martin owned.
It was their wedding day, and they were supposed to consummate tonight.
However, he was tactful enough to excuse himself, so that she would not feel awkward since she did not love him.
She sat down and put the box on the table.
She then looked around at the bridal room that their colleagues decorated for them—heart-shaped balloons and ribbons filled every corner of the room, building a picture of celebration.
Even so, Lulu could not feel happy.
She married Martin, but she could not love him with all her heart—she had already failed a wife.
Naturally, she could not sleep soundly in the large bridal bed, decorated elaborately with velvet sheets.
…
When Lulu woke up the next morning, she was cleaning up the house when the door opened.
Martin entered with boxes of food, which he then placed on the table. “I bought you breakfast. I don’t know what you like, so I bought everything. See if there’s anything you like.”
Lulu said, “I’m not a picky eater.”
“Then, sit,” Martin said, taking the balloon she was holding. “I’ll clean the house, so eat. Sorry, but I’m not much of a cook since I’ve always been alone, but I’ll learn from now on.”
Lulu held his gaze. “I can cook.”
“No, you’re pregnant—I’ll cook for you once I’ve learned how to.” Martin said, placing a small pie in front of Lulu. “This one’s from a good restaurant that’s been in business for ten years. They really make it aromatic.”
Lulu put one in his mouth, relishing the crisp skin but lack of greasiness, along with the fresh onions inside.
“It’s good,” she said with a smile.
“Then have some more. Get changed and get to work when you’re done—I’ll be going to bed, and I’ll clean up the house later.”
Lulu watched for a while from behind as he cleaned up, and quietly turned away.
She finished the entire box of pies, since it was Martin’s goodwill.
Although she was pregnant, she could eat everything since she was not suffering from morning sickness and everything tasted good.
“You’ve been out the whole night, so get some proper rest,” Lulu said, rising to her feet. “You didn’t have breakfast either, right? There’s too much for me to finish anyway, so have the rest. Don’t let it get cold.”
“Okay,” Martin said as he sat down at the table.
Lulu cleaned up her end and got changed to work.
Still, she paused at the doorway and turned around to look at Martin.
Lulu told Martin, “You don’t have to clean up. I’ll get it done when I get home—I don’t think men like you are that good with housework.”
Martin simply smiled and waved her off. “You underestimate me—I’m perfect with housework, save for cooking. Now go, or you’ll be late.”
Lulu stared at him then, wanting to speak but unable to do it.
There were three rooms in the house, and she wanted to tell him that he could sleep in another bed instead of leaving.
But how could she tell Martin that? And what would he think of her after that?
She married him, but she could not even play the role of a wife!
Asking her newlywed husband to sleep in another bed was proof of her failure.
Turning away, she strode out and closed the door behind her.
…
Abigail fell asleep on the couch with Tommy in her arms.
She was home early, and Diarmuid thought it weird to see her at this hour.
Lately, she had been coming home later than he did.
As he walked over to her, Abigail opened her eyes.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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