“How could you be so heartless, Laney? This whole situation is painful for me too!” Garrett was so overcome with emotions that his voice grew louder. “We were both victims here…”
“Wahhh!” The baby’s crying interrupted Garrett’s complaints.
With pursed lips, Laney silently went over to the baby. She picked her up, gently cradling her in her arms and rocking her back in forth. Feeling the warmth of her mother’s embrace, the baby gradually calmed down until she was back to a peaceful slumber.
Watching the heartfelt scene was a pinch in Garrett’s chest. Guilt filled him like a storm. What was he thinking just now? If there was someone who should feel upset, it was Laney. She had suffered more than enough from the beginning to the end. Not only did he fail to apologize properly, he also raised his voice at her.
From where he was silently watching, Ian stepped out, sighed, and whispered to Garrett, “Mr. Harding, this hospital is under Kailee’s name. Due to various reasons, Mrs. Harding has been unable to leave until now. But if Mrs. Harding is to stay here longer, we can’t guarantee what Kailee would do to her. Leaving would be better for her and the baby.”
Garrett finally regained his composure. His eyes darted over to Laney more guiltily. “I’m sorry, I didn’t consider it carefully,” he said. Laney paid him no attention, focusing only on cooing to her child.
There was nothing more she could say to Garrett now.
Garrett felt otherwise and pursed his lips. He opened his mouth, about to say something while looking at Laney’s cold profile, but he ended up looking like a fish in a tank. In the end, no words came from his mouth.
In a tense and uncomfortable silence, they arrived at the hospital that Natalie chose. Everything was ready for Laney’s transfer since Natalie had arranged it beforehand.
In order to keep Kailee from causing any more trouble, Natalie chose a maternity hospital under the Larson Group. Compared to the previous hospital, the condition there had to be at least ten times better. Natalie even meticulously chose the attending doctors for Laney, making sure Kailee had no influence on them.
Seeing how much Natalie prepared for her, Laney was deeply moved.
Natalie had been sticking by her side since the start of her pregnancy. When she had hemorrhage during childbirth, it was Natalie who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to handle everything, ensuring that both she and the baby were safe and sound.
Even now, Natalie personally took charge of her switching hospitals. The only thing left for her to do was move to the arranged hospital. With the amount of help Natalie had given her, she could repay her kindness in her lifetime and it would still not be enough.
After seeing the hospital Natalie had arranged, Garrett also fell silent.
He was Laney’s husband yet he was not even half as attentive as Natalie to Laney’s needs. Knowing it laid an enormous guilt trip on him. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Laney was disappointed in him.
With a whole day filled with twists and turns, Laney’s back hit the mattress and she immediately fell asleep with her child as soon as they arrived at the hospital. She deserved the rest considering how exhausting the day was.
Garrett knew better than to disturb them. So, he kept watch outside the door the whole night instead.
Ian brought breakfast for Laney the next morning. As soon as he entered the corridor, he saw Garrett sitting near the ward.
His eyes were red, and his face was evidently tired. It was apparent that he had been awake all night.
Ian sighed and handed a set of breakfasts to Garrett. “Mr. Harding, please have something to eat,” he said with concern.
Garrett pushed the breakfast away and mumbled, “I’m not hungry.”
However, as soon as he finished speaking, his stomach began to growl. A tinge of embarrassment appeared on his face, but Garrett pursed his lips and remained quiet.
Ian shook his head with a smile and passed the breakfast to Garrett. “Have some, Mr. Harding. I’ve got this one prepared for you,” he insisted.
After a moment of silence, Garrett accepted the breakfast and said awkwardly, “Thank you.”
Having seen Garret accepted the breakfast, Ian walked into the ward and found Laney and the baby still sleeping. He then exited the room quietly and sat silently beside Garrett.
Meanwhile, Garrett had his breakfast in silence. He was really starving as he eaten anything since yesterday. Despite his hunger, he was still eating calmly and elegantly.
Ian studied Garrett from head to toe and suddenly understood why Laney loved him so much.
Judging from appearance alone, Garrett was indeed superior to others.
Suddenly, Garrett stopped eating and turned to Ian, who was in a daze. He lowered his head and muttered, “I’m sorry for what happened yesterday.” He was apologizing to Ian as he almost attacked him yesterday.
Ian regained his senses. He smiled warmly and replied, “It doesn’t matter. The situation was complicated and chaotic yesterday. You were just upset and couldn’t control your emotions. Don’t worry, I understand.”
Garrett fell silent again.
After a while, he complained, frustrated, “Laney knew that Kailee had framed me. Those photographs don’t even capture the truth. Why is she still so angry? Why can’t she forgive me?”
Ian didn’t answer the question. Instead, he asked, “Mr. Harding, will you forgive Mrs. Harding if you see her being intimate with another man?”
Garrett was surprised by the question. However, he nodded and replied absent-mindedly, “Of course, I will. I love her so much…”
Ian smiled kindly and continued asking, “If you are often ignored and unhappy in your relationship and find that Mrs. Harding has an affair with another man, will you forgive her?”
Garrett was stunned and stammered, “Is… Is Laney unhappy with me?”
Ian’s smile dropped, and he sighed before answering, “From what I’ve seen, Mrs. Harding had been unhappy, depressed even, before the delivery.”
Ian paused for a second before he continued, “Not only did she need to worry about the harassment from your parents, but she also had to guard against Lola. Besides, you were often busy with work and ignored Mrs. Harding’s emotions. Your ignorance was her greatest trigger.”
Garrett was speechless.
He thought about what Ian had said and recalled the occasional sadness in Laney’s eyes. Suddenly, a great sense of guilt rose welled up inside him. “Why… Why didn’t she tell me?” Garrett murmured, looking dull and listless.
“Mrs. Harding didn’t want to cause you any worry,” Ian shook his head helplessly and replied. “Besides, did you not find anything amiss when the photo and the recording pen were sent in the name of your mother? It shows that your mother trusts and favors Kailee. On the other hand, your mother blames Mrs. Harding whenever she has the chance. It’s hard for anyone to accept such differential treatment.”
Garrett felt guiltier when he heard Ian’s words. He had to admit that he had been ignoring Laney’s feelings.
Just then, the baby’s cry sounded from the ward, interrupting their conversation.
Ian passed Laney’s breakfast to Garrett and gestured to him to enter the ward and give the breakfast to Laney.
Garrett was a little hesitant.
He didn’t know how to face Laney, having realized his mistake.
But Ian patted Garrett on his shoulder and encouraged him gently, “Just go.”
After some hesitation, Garrett took the breakfast and entered the ward nervously.
Meanwhile, Laney was breastfeeding the baby.
When she saw Garrett, she looked up at him indifferently before cooing to her baby softly.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
Leave a Reply