Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce-Chapter 122: Vowing Revenge for His Daughter
Adrian Lancaster picked up the pen to sign, but the attending physician stopped him and shook his head.
"Mr. Lancaster, according to regulations, only the patient’s immediate family or spouse can sign the surgical consent form."
The implication was clear: his signature would be invalid.
Adrian Lancaster’s expression turned grave, his brows furrowing in displeasure.
He wasn’t Maya Marshall’s husband, but they had once been a loving couple. Now, with her in this state, he didn’t even have the right to sign.
The attending physician turned to Mrs. Marshall and stated gravely, "Mrs. Marshall, your signature is the only one that’s valid."
Mrs. Marshall, of course, understood. Her hand trembled as she took the pen. "I just can’t bear to do it," she choked out.
"Ms. Marshall will understand the difficult position you’re in," the doctor consoled, repeating, "The amputation is so she can keep on living."
Tears streamed down Mrs. Marshall’s face. "My daughter shouldn’t have had to suffer this. It’s my fault. That day... I shouldn’t have taken her to the Quinn family’s party. It’s all my fault..."
A darkness filled Adrian Lancaster’s eyes, his emotions churning. He regretted not going to the Quinn family’s party himself.
If he had been there that day, this tragedy would never have happened.
Mrs. Marshall turned to Adrian Lancaster, asking through her sobs, "Adrian, tell me, should I sign it?"
Adrian Lancaster replied, his expression grave, "We have to listen to the doctor. There’s no better option than amputation. I believe Maya will understand."
"It would be best if she understands, but what if she can’t handle it? I’m afraid she’ll..."
Adrian Lancaster knew what she meant. "I’ll be here. I’ll watch over her. I won’t let her do anything foolish."
Mrs. Marshall closed her eyes in agony. Forced into a corner, she made her decision. "I’ll sign."
A few minutes later, the light above the operating room door turned on once more.
Mrs. Marshall and Adrian Lancaster kept vigil at the door, refusing to leave.
While they waited, Mrs. Marshall received a call from Mr. Marshall.
The couple had a clear division of labor: Mrs. Marshall handled things at the hospital, while Mr. Marshall kept an eye on the situation at the police station.
"Wren Sutton has left the police station. I bet Adrian Lancaster went and pulled her out himself. No one else has that kind of clout."
Mrs. Marshall glanced sideways at Adrian, suppressing her rage without a change in expression.
"Adrian is at the hospital now. We’re waiting for news outside the operating room together."
The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.
"You signed the surgical consent form," Mr. Marshall said, his voice laced with pain.
Forced to accept the reality of the situation, Mrs. Marshall replied, "If we didn’t amputate, Maya’s life would be in danger. I was forced to. I had no other choice."
Mr. Marshall had no intention of blaming his wife. His eyes red-rimmed, he swore he would get revenge for their daughter.
"I’m going to make Wren Sutton pay for this in blood."
It wasn’t that Mrs. Marshall didn’t want revenge, but now was not the time.
"Let’s not talk about that now. The most important thing is for Maya to live. We’ll talk about everything else once she wakes up."
Mr. Marshall hung up. Back at home, he was restless, his mind in turmoil.
He couldn’t let this go, no matter what.
"Wren Sutton!"
Four years ago, that woman had stolen his daughter’s man. Four years later, that same woman had caused his daughter to lose a limb and become disabled.
What father could possibly accept that?
Before heading to the hospital, Mr. Marshall made a point to call Theodore Lancaster. His message, delivered between the lines, was that he expected the Lancaster family not to shield Wren Sutton and to let the law run its course.
Upon hearing that Maya Marshall was undergoing an amputation, Theodore Lancaster was deeply troubled. He personally promised Mr. Marshall that he would never shield Wren Sutton.
Mr. Marshall was greatly relieved. ’A true friend of many years,’ he thought.
"Lancaster, my friend, your word is enough for me. I believe you. However, I might have to trouble you to talk some sense into Adrian. Young people are stubborn, and he might not listen to me. But you’re his father. He’ll definitely listen to you."
"Adrian bears some responsibility in this matter as well." Theodore Lancaster didn’t respond directly to the request. The truth was, as a father, he really couldn’t stop Adrian Lancaster from doing whatever he pleased.
Mr. Marshall clarified his position. "I’m focused on the incident, not the people. Adrian wasn’t there at the time, so this has nothing to do with him, nor with the Lancaster family. The Marshall Family will only hold Wren Sutton responsible."
Theodore Lancaster hung up, satisfied. As long as the Lancaster family wasn’t dragged into it, he was content to turn a blind eye to whatever the Marshalls did and not get involved.
...
The surgery lasted the entire night, only finishing as the sky began to lighten at dawn.
The door to the operating room slid open, and the attending physician emerged, his body heavy with exhaustion.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall immediately rushed forward, their faces etched with worry and their hearts pounding with anxiety.
Adrian Lancaster followed close behind, just as concerned about Maya Marshall’s condition.
"Doctor, how is my daughter?"
The doctor adjusted his glasses and let out a long sigh of relief. "The surgery was a success."
"My daughter’s leg..." Mrs. Marshall asked, her voice trembling.
"Ms. Marshall has a very strong will to live. We managed to save her right leg. Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Marshall, President Lancaster, we all did our best."
Mrs. Marshall wept with joy. Thank God, at least one of her legs had been saved.
Mr. Marshall was immensely grateful. "Thank you, doctor. Thank you for your hard work."
"You’re welcome."
Shortly after, a nurse wheeled Maya Marshall out of the operating room and back to her private room.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall kept watch on either side of the bed, holding their daughter’s hands tightly as they patiently waited for her to wake.
The room was silent.
Adrian Lancaster sat on the sofa across from the bed, resting with his eyes closed. He hadn’t slept all night; his eyes were sore and his head was starting to ache.
An unknown amount of time passed before Maya Marshall finally awoke.
She forced her eyes open, feeling groggy. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nostrils as a stark white ceiling came into view.
’The hospital again.’
She hated this place. It was just like in her dream—desperately trying to escape, but unable to get away. In the dream, she’d looked down to see she had no legs, a terrifying sight that had shocked her awake.
Maya Marshall gasped for breath, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.
"Maya, you’re finally awake. Mom and Dad are here, and so is Adrian. We’re all here with you. Don’t be afraid."
Maya Marshall’s voice was faint. "Dad, Mom... I had a nightmare. I dreamed my legs were gone."
"..."
"I couldn’t walk or run, I was just stuck in a wheelchair. It was a horrible dream... even more terrifying than the fall itself."
Hearing this, Mrs. Marshall covered her mouth, unable to stop her tears.
"Mom, what’s wrong?" Maya Marshall gently shook her mother’s hand.
Mrs. Marshall shook her head, not daring to speak as her tears fell faster.
Mr. Marshall was also too heartbroken to speak. His face a mask of sorrow, he stood up and went outside to smoke and compose himself.
Just then, Adrian Lancaster walked over and stood before the bed, looking down at Maya Marshall with sorrowful eyes.
Maya Marshall sensed something was wrong, though she had yet to realize the gravity of the situation.
"Adrian, what happened? You’re all acting so strange."
Adrian Lancaster forced himself to remain calm.
The truth couldn’t be hidden. It had to be said sooner or later, and dragging it out would only make it more painful.
"As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. Everyone did their best."
His voice was gentle and full of compassion. He leaned down, took Maya Marshall’s hand to encourage her, and after a moment, while enduring his own excruciating pain, he told her the result.
The word "amputation" struck Maya Marshall like a bolt from the blue. She couldn’t accept it. A cold tremor ran through her body, and she was too overwhelmed to speak. All she wanted was to smash her head against something and end it all.
She would rather die than live as a disabled person.
She couldn’t bear the thought of living a single day without dignity or grace.
"Maya, if you’re going to blame someone, blame me. I’m the one who signed the consent form."
Maya Marshall let out a guttural scream, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and, her face deathly pale, passed out.
A doctor pushed the door open and entered the room. After a quick examination, he reassured the family, "It’s nothing serious. Ms. Marshall fainted from the shock. She’ll wake up on her own shortly."
Mr. Marshall looked at his poor daughter on the bed, his heart aching as if it would break. The hand hanging at his side clenched into a fist.
"Adrian, come outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with you."
