THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 272: What Are You Doing In A Hospital Gown Dad?

Shawn lay in his private hospital room, the sterile environment contrasting with the anger building inside him.

After monitoring his condition for two days, he was certified stable and safe to be moved from the emergency room, hence he was currently in a new ward but an executive one.

If not for the smell of anticeptics and the few doctors that ocassionally came in to check on him in their scrubs, one would not believe he was in a hospital.

"When was that?" He asked, his eyes narrowing into a thin line as he gazed at Johnson who was standing by his bed looking like a disobedient pupil who has just been caught.

"That was.. two.., days... ago, boss," Johnson stuttered.

"And why are you just informing me now?" Shawn demanded. Though his voice was a bit weak, it still carried the commanding tone that was characteristic of Shawn Hudson.

Johnson had just told him about the children’s call and their request to speak with him two days ago.

"You were restricted from receiving or making calls so I felt it was not right for me to inform you at that time."

Shawn’s mirthless chuckle sounded like grating stones in Johnson’s ears. "Does that sound like a good enough reason to keep such an important information from me?"

"Do you know how their innocent minds would be hurt when they think I have ignored them?"

"I’m sorry, Sir."

"Why did you have to wait for as long as two days before notifying me of their call?"

He remembered clearly that he had promised them to get in touch with Kathleen’s godmother and they would have been waiting for his feedback since then. It’s probably because they didn’t hear from him that they had to call.

Johnson hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Boss, you were still at the emergency ward then and both Madam and the doctors emphasized your need for rest and recovery. I didn’t want to disturb you with calls during that period."

"They are my kids, Johnson!" Shawn tried to sit up in bed but winced from the pain in his chest.

Johnson hurried to his side to assist him.

"Be careful, boss," he said with a worried expression.

When he was properly propped up in bed, he continued, "I ve been away from their lives for over five years and every moment we spend together is of extreme importance to all of us. At this stage, there should be no misunderstandings between us."

Johnson nodded, "I understand, Boss, but the doctor explicitly mentioned restricting phone use. I thought it best to follow his advice for your well-being."

Shawn sighed, his eyes losing their previous coldness as he realized the dilemma Johnson would have faced at that time.

"I appreciate your concern, Johnson, but my kids come first. Regardless of my condition, I need to be informed next time."

Johnson bowed his head In penitence. "I’m sorry boss," he said despite feeling that the scolding was inappropriate since what he did was for his boss’s good. "I’ll keep that in mind next time, boss."

"Get me my phone," Shawn ordered.

Yes Boss," Johnson said and passed the phone on the table to Shawn, who dialed Elvis’s number.

His facial features softened inexplicably as the children’s faces appeared in his mind, their eyes bright with excitement even before the call connected.

"Hey, kiddos!" Shawn greeted with an affectionate smile as soon as the call connected.

"Daddy heard you called a couple of days ago. I’m sorry I missed it."

He tried to sound as normal as possible so they wouldn’t detect anything. "How about we have a chat now? I miss you both."

He waited for a while but there was no response from the other end and he knew without being told that it was just Elvis. If Eleanor was there, her cheerful voice would have been heard long ago.

"Elvis," he called gently. "Are you still angry with daddy? I’ve come up with the best idea to come over."

"It seems you’re not interested. I’d better not bother you then, I’m hanging up now." Shawn said regretfully when the little guy still refused to say anything.

That succeeded in bringing out the snail from its shell.

"Hey, hold on. Don’t hang up on me."

"Dad?"

The corners of Shawn’s mouth creased in a smile. "I’m still here. Do you have something to say to me now?"

"I don’t have anything to say to you. I just want to hear your plan," Elvis shot back, angry at himself that he couldn’t maintain his stance for long and fell right into his father’s trap.

"It seems you are still angry with me," Shawn asked gently.

"After what you did, you don’t expect me to applaud you. We had an agreement, dad." Elvis finally opened up.

"I’m sorry and I promise it won’t happen again."

"Tell that to the gullible Eleanor," Elvis smirked. "What idea have you come up with apart from the one we sold to you?"

"Are you alone?" Shawn asked with a glint in his blue eyes that only ever came alive whenever he was talking with either Kathleen or their children.

"I am. What are you up to, dad?"

"Let’s do a video call and you will find out soon."

"Ok," Elvis agreed.

Shawn propped up his phone on the hospital tray, adjusting the camera for a video call with Elvis.

A warm smile adorned Shawn’s face as he saw Elvis’s supposedly angry face.

"What are you doing in a hospital gown, dad?" Elvis exclaimed the moment the video call started.

Elvis was all too familiar with that attire since both his mother and grandmother were in the medical field and he had accompanied them to the hospital on several occasions.

"I had a minor accident a few days back," Shawn said nonchalantly as if he was talking about a mere fever.

’What! Johnson almost screamed from the chair when he heard what his boss said. But he was wise enough to shut himself up on time.