Secretly Married for 4 Years, He Regrets to Tears After the Divorce-Chapter 81: Unbuckle the Seatbelt, Lean Over and Press Down
Claire Sterling was exasperated, and her anger flared.
"Me, give her a hard time? She’s clearly the one being disrespectful. She has no respect for me as her mother-in-law."
Adrian Lancaster defended her. "She’s in a bad mood today."
"Well, I’m in a bad mood, too."
Claire Sterling realized the gravity of the situation. Adrian Lancaster claimed he didn’t love Wren Sutton, yet he defended the woman at every turn.
"What’s gotten into you? Have you forgotten everything I said in the office the other day? Wren Sutton, she..."
"She didn’t take that ten-million-dollar check. The money is still in your account." Adrian Lancaster tore the check up.
"She obviously took it. Don’t be fooled by her sweet talk."
Adrian Lancaster’s expression turned cold, his patience gone. "I can give her far more. She has no reason to leave me over ten million."
’Forget ten million—a hundred million, even a billion—if Wren Sutton so much as asked for it, he would give it to her.’
Claire Sterling was furious but found herself speechless.
Mother and son were at a stalemate.
...
「In the hospital room.」
The grandmother’s ankle was in a cast and her lumbar spine was immobilized. For now, they were opting for conservative treatment.
Wren Sutton sat by the hospital bed, talking with the grandmother, comforting her, and diligently helping her with food and water.
The grandmother was gratified. She remained strong and optimistic, showing no signs of despair and even comforting her family in return.
The Lancasters were all present, except for Julian Lancaster, who was abroad. Theodore Lancaster hadn’t notified him.
"Mom, after discussing it, we all agree that surgery is the best option. But now we’d like to hear your thoughts. The final decision is up to you."
The grandmother leaned against the headboard. Despite her immobility, her expression remained kind and her smile warm.
With her family surrounding her, she felt incredibly blessed.
"I agree to the surgery. Go and sign the papers."
Theodore Lancaster had been worried the grandmother would refuse, so he was relieved.
He turned and left the room, with Claire Sterling following him.
In the hallway, Claire Sterling linked her arm through her husband’s.
"Darling, I’m a little tired. I want to go home."
"I’ll have the driver take you home."
"You aren’t angry with me, are you?"
Theodore Lancaster knew what she meant and smiled dotingly.
"Of course not. We have more than enough people here. You go on home and get some rest. I’ll be home to keep you company tonight."
Pleased, Claire Sterling couldn’t resist giving her husband a quick kiss.
"I love you so much, darling."
Theodore Lancaster’s heart swelled with joy, but given where they were, he couldn’t do much more.
... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
On behalf of the Lancaster family, Theodore Lancaster signed the surgical consent form.
That afternoon, the grandmother was wheeled into the operating room. She was put under general anesthesia, with Director Wallace leading the surgery.
"Director Wallace, we’re counting on you."
"Rest assured, I’ll treat her as if she were my own family."
"Thank you."
The doors slid slowly shut, and the "Surgery in Progress" light illuminated.
Outside the doors were Theodore Lancaster, Adrian Lancaster, Wren Sutton, Lucia Lancaster, and Nanny Lawson. Sean Sterling and Caleb Caldwell, who had rushed over as soon as they’d heard the news, were there as well.
Everyone sat quietly in the waiting area, praying for the surgery to be a success.
Lucia Lancaster, being young and inexperienced with such matters, had red-rimmed eyes with tears welling at the corners.
Wren Sutton was sitting next to her and was just about to offer a word of comfort when Caleb Caldwell came and sat on Lucia’s other side.
He gently wiped her tears with a soft tissue, the gesture both natural and intimate, not seeming out of place at all.
"Director Wallace is the best orthopedic surgeon in the country. The surgery will definitely be a success."
"I know, but I can’t help worrying."
Caleb’s eyes were gentle and filled with sympathy. ’He wished he could pull Lucia into his arms and comfort her.’
"Wren told me you barely ate any lunch. You must be hungry by now. What would you like? I’ll go get it for you."
Lucia Lancaster shook her head. "I don’t have an appetite."
Caleb Caldwell pulled a milk candy from his pocket and coaxed her, "Have a piece of candy. For a little sweetness."
"No, thanks. I’m not a child."
Just as Lucia Lancaster said that, her stomach let out a few loud rumbles. Embarrassed, she pretended she hadn’t heard it.
Caleb Caldwell laughed, his tone impossibly fond. "So stubborn. And you say you’re not hungry. Wait here, I’m going to get some food."
"Get some for everyone while you’re at it."
"Okay." Before he left, Caleb Caldwell pressed the milk candy into Lucia Lancaster’s hand.
Lucia Lancaster lowered her gaze to the candy in her palm, the corners of her lips turning up into a small smile.
She slowly unwrapped the candy, but catching Wren Sutton’s eye, she felt a bit self-conscious.
"Sister-in-law, would you like a piece?"
"I’m fine, thanks."
Afraid Wren Sutton might get the wrong idea, Lucia Lancaster quickly explained, "Caleb has loved candy since we were kids, so he always has some on him."
Wren Sutton gave her a knowing smile, not reading anything more into it.
Just then, Adrian Lancaster came over and sat beside her, a hint of fatigue etched on his brow.
Wren Sutton glanced at him but said nothing.
After a moment of silence, Adrian Lancaster took Wren Sutton’s hand.
"Let me take you home. You’re still recovering and need to rest."
"I’m not tired yet. I want to wait a bit longer." With everyone watching, Wren Sutton didn’t pull her hand away.
"Listen to me. Go home for now. I’ll call you the second there’s any news from the hospital."
"Sister-in-law, my brother’s just worried about you. He doesn’t want you to exhaust yourself. There are plenty of us here, so you should go home."
It wasn’t just Lucia Lancaster urging her; even the previously silent Theodore Lancaster spoke up, telling Wren Sutton to go home and rest.
Wren Sutton felt resigned. ’Since everyone was telling her to leave, she might as well go.’
Adrian Lancaster drove her himself. Wren Sutton had planned to sit in the back, but he forced her into the front passenger seat.
Silently furious, Wren Sutton turned her head to stare out the window, ignoring Adrian Lancaster.
The car traveled along the main road, but it wasn’t headed for the villa. It was going toward the Sutton family’s home.
"Nanny Lawson refuses to leave the hospital, and I have to keep watch tonight," Adrian Lancaster explained. "If you go back to the villa, there’ll be no one to look after you. It’s better if you stay with your family for a few days."
’This was exactly what she wanted.’ Wren Sutton’s expression softened slightly. "Okay."
Adrian Lancaster’s gaze turned dark and unreadable as he slowed the car.
A spark of light returned to Wren Sutton’s eyes as she eagerly anticipated being home.
Finally, the car pulled to a stop in front of her family’s apartment building.
"Thank you for bringing me back."
Wren Sutton unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door, only to find it was locked.
She turned to Adrian Lancaster, her tone softening. "Could you unlock the door?"
Adrian Lancaster’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His eyes darkened as he unbuckled his own seatbelt.
But he didn’t unlock the door. Instead, he leaned over, pinning her with his upper body. His deep, dark eyes stared at her, intense and unnerving.
Wren Sutton froze, her heart skipping a beat. An intense, masculine scent washed over her—a crisp aroma tinged with the sterile smell of the hospital.
In the confines of the car, the atmosphere grew charged.
