Chubby Mommy: Scheming Daddy, Surrender Now!-Chapter 185: Self-Reproach

Ethan Sterling couldn’t help but laugh at her silly expression through the car window. When she got out with a serious look, he quickly adjusted his expression to match hers.

Walking down the corridor, they suddenly saw several doctors and nurses rush past them. Ruby Sullivan noticed that they entered Brandon Sullivan’s room, her face turned stern, and she started running. Ethan followed closely behind.

The bed was surrounded by doctors and nurses, and Brandon lay there, eyes wide open, with an unknown fluid flowing from his mouth, his whole body convulsing.

Ruby wanted to rush in but was restrained by Ethan.

"Going in now will only add to the chaos." He frowned and said firmly, then stopped an anxious nurse coming out, asking, "What’s wrong with my dad?"

The nurse explained, "There is no need to worry, occasional convulsions are a normal reaction. Please wait outside for a moment." After speaking, she hurriedly left with a tray.

Ruby glanced inside again, feeling the look on her father’s face, staring blankly, was incredibly painful, forcing her to close her eyes tightly and stand against the wall, not daring to look further.

Ethan held her hand, "Don’t worry yet. Let’s wait until the doctor comes out and find out more."

"Okay." Ruby responded softly, gently freeing her hand from his grip.

About ten minutes later, the commotion inside the ward finally subsided.

The doctors and nurses exited one by one, and Brandon’s attending physician paused when he saw her, "Were you scared by what happened just now?" Having seen many frightened relatives, he asked out of experience.

Ruby pressed her lips, thinking about the recent scene, a bit shaken, "What happened just now?"

"The professional medical explanation is that it’s a functional disorder caused by local brain cell discharge. Since vegetative patients typically have brain damage, these convulsions are quite normal. Mr. Sullivan is calm now; you can go in to see him." Having finished, the doctor departed.

Ruby was still uneasy, seeking Ethan’s help, "I didn’t understand some of the medical terms he used. Is my dad really okay?"

"According to the doctor, there’s no need to worry. We’ll consult other experts when we go back." Ethan reassured her.

"Okay." Ruby responded, finally feeling somewhat relieved, as if the person Ethan would consult was more professional and authoritative than the doctor here.

She tentatively walked into the ward, her brows furrowed tightly, fearing he might suddenly jump up and glare at her. The father in her memory was always smiling, never speaking a harsh word to her. Even when she insisted on marrying Ethan, he merely sighed continuously, unwilling to be harsh with her.

Ruby stood frozen for a long time before sitting by the bedside, sighing and saying with heartache, "Dad, you must be really uncomfortable now, right? It’s my fault for not being strong enough. If I had been better before, you wouldn’t have had to suffer like this."

She bit her lower lip, feeling miserable and guilty.

She always didn’t want her father to see her like this, but now, she really couldn’t act cheerful and chat about trivial things like she usually did.

Ethan stepped forward a few steps, "I’m partly to blame for Dad being like this, I’m sorry."

Ruby turned to look at him, tears glistening in her eyes, "You’re certainly to blame! If you didn’t want to be with me, you shouldn’t have married me back then!" She lost control, tears streaming as she frantically got up and ran out.

"Ruby!" Ethan reached out to grab her but missed, watching her back as she ran away. The scene from five years ago, when she ran off, flashed through his mind, sinking his heart. He quickly chased after her.

It was his failure to chase after her back then that led to her disappearing. He didn’t want to repeat the same mistake again.

Ruby was caught in a full embrace by him at the elevator entrance.

Ethan’s arms were tightly clenched in front of her, his chin resting on her shoulder, rendering her immobile, let alone able to run away.

"I won’t let you disappear again." He panted slightly after speaking, seemingly having used significant effort to utter those words.

Ruby shook her body from side to side, trying to break free, "Let go!" Her voice was a bit hoarse, tears mingling as she spoke, unhappily sniffling, "Let go, I need to wipe my nose."

At that moment, the elevator door opened, and a person walked out, noticing the entwined couple standing at the entrance, couldn’t help taking another glance.

Ruby lowered her head in embarrassment, speaking in a soft voice, "Let me go already!"

"You won’t run?" Ethan questioned.

"If you don’t let go, I’ll wipe my nose on your clothes." Ruby threatened, sniffing again in discomfort, intent on disgusting this man.

Ethan remained unfazed by her threat, simply holding her tighter.

Ruby was nearly suffocated by his grip, forced to concede, sulking, "I won’t run!"

With relief, Ethan let out a long breath, releasing her, and handed her a tissue from his pocket, "Go get some fresh air."

Ruby took the tissue and wiped her tears and nose clean, muttering "Okay," while keeping her head down, avoiding looking at him.

The elevator opened for the second time, and Ethan forcefully held her hand, ignoring her attempts to shake him off, he refused to loosen his grip.

"Ethan, we’re already divorced!" Ruby turned her head discontentedly, glaring at him.

He remained focused on the ever-changing numbers on the display panel, ignoring her sharp gaze, "You could sue me for harassment."

Ruby was indignant, her brows furrowing in frustration, yet she had to concede to his confident assertion.

Ethan dragged her out of the inpatient building, wandering through the hospital, eventually finding an empty bench to sit on, tilting his head to look at her, "No more crying."

Ruby deliberately turned away, avoiding his gaze, her eyes red but no longer shedding tears.

"I’m sorry." Ethan looked skyward, squinting slightly, "You’re right, I was too immature back then and didn’t realize how deeply I’d hurt you, I’m sorry." He paused, repeating those three words.

Ruby bit her lower lip, remaining silent.

Ethan had already apologized for past mistakes, and her recent actions were solely prompted by feelings of incapability and helplessly venting those frustrations onto him.

Seeing her remain silent, Ethan continued, "I understand your feelings, I felt guilt when Grandma died. My feelings for her were complex, and guilt was unavoidable. Given the good relationship between you and your dad, you must be more upset. But sadness, once vented, doesn’t change a thing, no matter how much it’s spoken, life continues on."

After a lengthy silence, Ruby finally spoke, her voice slightly choked, "I know."

She knew everything, but what was the use of knowing?

She struggled slightly, now Ethan didn’t insist, letting go of her hand immediately.