< Chapter 37
Chapter 37.
Armando stepped into the elevator, his cold gaze flashing toward Normand, who couldn’t tell if he had been overheard.
“Don’t mention her to me,” Armando snapped.
Normand wisely fell silent, retreating without a word.
Menu
Armando headed downstairs to grab some oatmeal to soothe Jovana’s stomach, along with lasagna for Eddie and Jovana.
Jovana used to love lasagna; it would always make her smile.
Now, she barely glanced at the dish, absorbed in her own tasks.
“You can leave it there. I’m not hungry, and it’s getting late. There’s no spare bed here, so you back.” Her tone was even, neutral.
should head
Armando knew she was angry, so he tried to soften his tone, his voice quieter as he pleaded, “Let it sit for a while. You haven’t eaten enough, and you know your stomach’s bad. Don’t worry about Grandma; the specialist assured me she’ll wake up by tomorrow at the latest…”
“I just don’t want you running yourself ragged. What if you collapse when she wakes up?” he added.
He placed the food down quietly.”Eat when
you can. I’ll
go check on Grandma.”
He adjusted the light to a warm glow and, knowing how much she hated bright lights, quietly left the room, closing the door gently behind him.
Jovana, completely drained, closed her eyes.
Then, her phone pinged with a message from the family group chat.
“Vana, we were thoughtless earlier. I apologize for what happened today. Please don’t be upset.”
“We’re sorry,
Vana. We believed the rumors and hurt you. Please don’t stay angry.”
Jovana blinked, knowing immediately that Armando had handled this.
There was no other explanation for the sudden apology.
She also knew about the nurses and security being reassigned in the VIP Ward, and how Armando had spared no expense flying in specialists from the UK for Ingrid’s treatment.
Eddie walked in, seeing the untouched food on the table. He sighed. “Armando hasn’t eaten since last night. He’s been busy helping out. Why don’t you take him something?
“He explained everything to the relatives, too. You know, there’s always someone stirring up trouble. Don’t let it get to you. We’ve got to keep going.”
Jovana didn’t respond, but she understood.
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< Chapter 37
Her father was trying to comfort her.
Menu
Jovana said, “Alright, I’ll go check on him,” she said, her worry for Ingrid and her father’s health urging her on.”You rest here. I’ll talk to Armando.”
“Go ahead. No grudges between married couples, remember?”
Jovana gave a faint smile, grabbed the lunch box, and left.
The corridor was unnervingly quiet, with only the hum of machinery in the background.
“You wait here. I’ll be right down… Be good.”
Even with the elevator doors closing between them, Armando’s voice carried, clear and controlled in the empty hallway.
Jovana hesitated for a moment.
She watched as Armando hurriedly pressed the elevator button and stepped in.
Jovana wondered, “Where’s he going in such a rush?”
Jovana’s grip tightened on the lunch box, her suspicions rising. Despite everything, she followed him, as if punishing herself.
And then, she saw the moment that would haunt her forever.
Armando was helping Juliette out of the obstetrics and gynecology ward.
The three of them locked eyes in shock.
Armando froze, quickly pulling away from Juliette and walking toward Jovana with an awkward smile.”Vana, it’s not what you think. I just happened to bump into her downstairs…”
Jovana clenched her palm, her gaze fixed on Juliette’s stomach.
For a moment, she didn’t know what hurt more-the burning in her eyes or the stabbing pain in her chest.
The lunch box in her hand felt like a cruel joke.
Her husband was entangled with his mistress, and there she was, worried about whether he’d eaten after a long night’s work.
How laughable.
Armando, once he saw the look on her face, hurriedly turned his back on her, leaving her with Juliette.
The latter, noticing Jovana’s defeated expression, took a slow, deliberate breath and patted her stomach provocatively.
“Ms. Atherton, you’ve misunderstood. Mr. Dunbar helped me after I ran into him downstairs. Don’t let me come between you two,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
Armando shot Juliette a knowing look before casually draping an arm around Jovana’s shoulder. “I just went downstairs to get cigarettes. I ran into her on the way back. It’s late. Let’s head up.”
Jovana didn’t respond. She turned to Juliette, her voice bitter.”I see things are moving fast between you
two?”
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< Chapter 37
Menu
Juliette raised an eyebrow and said with a smug smile, “Oh, Ms. Atherton, I’m not pregnant. Just a little unwell. But, with my needs, it’s only a matter of time before I am. We’re both excited about it. But don’t worry, I won’t make trouble while we’re working together.”
Her words were direct and taunting.
Armando’s face darkened, the blood draining from his cheeks.
Jovana felt as though her blood was boiling, but she forced herself to keep calm.
