< Chapter 36
Mero
Chapter 36.
She pulled her hand from his grasp, her gaze icy.
She said, “Grandma’s heart condition flared up. I couldn’t find you and couldn’t get a cab. It was he who brought me here.
“And you, Armando… where were you?”
Armando’s heart raced as he felt the weight of her words. His earlier questioning faltered, guilt creeping
He regretted believing Juliette’s lies and letting her convince him to stay for her birthday.
He had thought he could catch up with Ingrid after a late dinner, but things had gone differently than expected…
While his wife ran to the hospital, he had been caught in frivolity.
Armando’s guilt was overwhelming. He pulled Jovana into his arms, trying to soothe her, his voice soft.
“I’ve already arranged for the doctors to care for your grandmother. I’m sorry for being late because of work. I know about the incident at the birthday party, and I’ll make it up to you. Those people who gossiped about you, I…”
But his words were hollow. He hadn’t mentioned the VIP Ward or his protection of Juliette. He’d been lying, still prioritizing Juliette while deceiving her with half-truths.
Jovana smiled bitterly.
Armando crouched in front of her, holding her hands as if pleading. “Vana, next time, call me when something happens. Don’t be with him.”
“I’m jealous,” he murmured, his lips brushing her hand.
Jovana recoiled, disgusted. She pulled her hand away, her eyes glazing over, determined not to let the tears fall.
“Jovana, why are you making such a fool of yourself?”
“Can’t you see? He doesn’t want to see you right now. If he did, why would he turn his phone off?”
The words echoed in her mind, sharp and stinging like slaps to her face, each one stripping away her dignity,
Jovana felt her strength drain away. She had no energy left to argue, no will to confront him.
Right now, all she cared about was Ingrid’s well-being.
She stood up, pushing past him, “I’m going to see Grandma.”
Armando, hearing the coldness in her voice, felt a pang of loss, but he couldn’t stop her.
She turned toward the elevator, and just as she stepped in, Armando’s phone rang.
The caller ID flashed Juliette’s name.
11:34
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< Chapter 36
Jovana saw it, and her heart clenched.
His lover was calling him, always there when she needed him.
Meanwhile, Jovana had tried calling him dozens of times, only to be ignored. And he even turned his phone off.
She turned to him, her voice cold, “You can answer it.” And with that, she stepped into the elevator.
“Vana… Vana…”
Armando hung up, but it was too late to chase after her.
When Normand arrived, he saw the scene unfolding and took a moment to assess the situation.
Menu
she may
With a sigh, he reported, “Mr. Dunbar, Madam Atherton’s condition is critical, and after surgery, not wake up. Mrs. Dunbar requested that her grandma be moved to the VIP Ward, but she was turned away by the nurse and security…”
A cold fury crossed Armando’s face.
“Who’s in there? Who gave them the audacity?”
The person he had been so protective of was thrown out just like that.
Normand hesitated.”It’s Juliette’s mother. Last month, you told me over the phone to arrange a room for
her in the VIP Ward…”
Armando’s fury froze.
He clenched his fists, slamming them into the cold wall, the pain not enough to alleviate the storm inside
him.
Juliette had been sweet to him that night, and he had been too drunk to say no.
After a long silence, he spoke, his voice tight with regret,”Arrange for another hospital for Juliette’s mother, and remove the nurse and security. This must stay between us.”
Normand nodded, but before leaving, he hesitated, “Mr. Dunbar, Ms. Palmer called again. She said she’s pregnant.”
