Novel Square
Chapter 21: Happiness is also a Sadness
To Love You Again, My HusbandExclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Chapter 21: Happiness Is Also a Sadness
Linda seriously looked over at Airina, who half-hugged herself. It was clear that she was dejected at the state of her father, adding the fact that Linda didn’t even apologize to her. In fact, Linda was too proud of her doings. On the contrary, Nicole was upset that rather than them taking care of her father, it was Airina and Evan – these two lowly peasants.
She clenched her fists, focusing her gaze on Airina. She spoke with restraint, “How did my father become this? I am sure he hadn’t done laborious things to be seriously hospitalized like this.”
Airina just responded as a courtesy. After all, Kevin is their father, so she shouldn’t be too hard about this topic.
“He has heart palpitations. The doctor informed me that his condition had been prolonged, so why are you asking me when I don’t know anything?”
Nicole scoffed in skepticism, mocking her. “You never once visited Father after you got married and divorced. So why are you acting all bossy when I merely asked you?”
Airina frowned at her. The reason for her divorce was because of Nicole’s greed and now she wanted to blame her once again just like what she did saying she didn’t do her duties as Jackson’s wife. If she must be painfully honest, it wasn’t Airina that destroyed the marriage, but it was Jackson’s actions. Airina had been very willing to consummate the marriage, but it was he who always had affairs with Nicole and chose her over Airina.
Airina couldn’t believe that everyone was pointing fingers at her when she hadn’t done anything wrong yet being successful. Was being successful a crime? She tightened the clasp on her arm.
“You shouldn’t be asking me”, She then looked at Linda, “My father wouldn’t have gone into this situation if it hadn’t for your greed. You sold my paintings for your own gains, you seduced my husband and blamed it all on me. What about me? What about my feelings? I came here to truly check my father since I had missed him but all I got in return was this pointing fingers and not a thank you?”
Nicole snickered, unable to accept her words. She was about to defend herself when Airina told her, “I will take care of my father this time so as her daughter I want you two to leave. I will inform you if his condition gets better.”
Linda coldly warned her, “Airina, I am his wife.”
“You are only his second wife. You’re just like your daughter, you seduced my father and he fell into the trap. Like Mother like daughter.”
“What the heck are you talking about, Airina? You merely took care of father one night and you act almighty?” Nicole yelled, pushing Airina to the wall. And Evan, the onlooker couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward.
With a single grab of her hand, he threatened Nicole. His eyes were burning with anger and seriousness.
“If you hurt my sister, I’ll make you regret it.”
“Evan, what are you doing? Why are-”
Evan turned to Linda, “Two-faced stepmother, I didn’t know you’d condescend this low. But it’s fun.”
Nicole forcibly got out of his grasp. She winced, while her wrist became swollen, and she frowned. As a model, her face and body are her money so if there was a small swell, injury, or wound, it would affect her greatly. But what she was facing was Airina. Airina has a lot of money which could make her the victim. Nicole needs to get Jackson’s favor first before she attacks.
For now, all she has to do is swallow and accept everything. Once she had entrapped Jackson in her arms again, she would control him into paying for everything Airina had done to her family.
Nicole looked at her mother, “I will leave… you horrible being.”
She even nudged Airina’s shoulder using her while glaring at her. Linda was led by Nicole; she was also boiling in anger so she might need fresh air for better emotions.
***
Kevin, who lay on his bed, sighed restlessly. He could somewhat hear the words his family had blurted. Despite their efforts to close the door of his bedroom to keep him from their argument, according to their gestures, expressions, and the way they opened their mouths, he could make out that they had bickered. He ruined his family, and this was the point in life where he couldn’t do anything about it as they were already grown-up adults.
Airina worriedly stared at her father and asked while Evan got him lukewarm water. “The doctor will inform you of what you should do to lessen your condition. What you have is heart palpitations, so you need not stress yourself so much.”
Kevin smiled, “You don’t need to come here. I feel already ashamed and yet you… you should have told your stepmother and stepsister to tend to me. What about your work?”
Airina glanced at her phone. She had already told Matthew that she wouldn’t be able to work for one week and if she needed to stay longer, she’d notify him. Witnessing how her father’s condition had stayed neutral, it was fine to say that he was also doing his best not to palpitate again.
Airina should be hating her father. Yet she couldn’t erase the smiles they had back when they were a happy family before. She had longed for them to smile like that again. Nevertheless, her father needed to recover first so they could discuss the steps of what a happy family was like.
She responded, “It’s fine, I’ve told him about it.”
“What about your salary? Airina, I don’t need you to tend to me if it’s at the expense of your wage. I can’t rely on you when I….”
Airina held her father’s hand, “Pa, don’t say so much, or else I will get mad at you.”
Evan smiled at the exchange of their words. “Pa, this is your lukewarm water with honey in it. What refreshment do you like?”
Kevin shook his head, “This much is a luxury, don’t bother yourself. It’s almost lunchtime, why don’t you eat first?”
“But…”
“I want to be alone for a while. I will drink the water.”
Evan and Airina nodded at each other and then headed out. They lowered their heads, softly closing the doors and going to the living room while holding a cup with a chocolate drink in it. Inside the living room were Jena and her driver so they weren’t alone.
Jena glanced at Evan, who seemingly looked like Airina. Evan lightly beamed at her, “I am her younger brother, Evan. Please take care of my sister well.”
Airina giggled, “I’m not young like you.”
“Even so… please take care of her.”
Jena readily nodded, “Without worry, Sir.”
The driver breathed out, “How is your father, Mam? Do you need me to buy a meal for him or medicine?”
“A porridge will do, and I have the ingredients there.”
The driver stood up firmly, “Then please let me cook. I want to help just a bit.”
Airina couldn’t refuse so she silently agreed. She lifted her cup, sipping from the chocolate drink and savoring it. Notwithstanding the circumstances, she needs to be optimistic rather than thinking negatively. Her father will be fine since he’d be in his care. She will do anything to help her father – whatever it may be.
After lunchtime, Airina got a call from her Mother, Wendy. She got to know the roundabout of her previous husband’s condition. But Wendy wasn’t that anxious about him but her children; Evan and Airina. They insisted on staying there.
“Yes, Ma?”
[“I heard from Matthew the details. How are you?”]
“… I feel quite fine, it’s just a little bit worrying.”
[“Why are you worried?”]
Airina giggled, “Papa is having heart palpitations and from the doctor, it seemed to be going on for a long time. It needs an interval for him to be fully healed.”
Wendy sighed, [“Heart palpitations are not that hard to heal, one only needs to control their emotions and thoughts.”]
Airina pursed her lips, “Ma…”
[“Yes, dear?”]
“Why… don’t you come and visit here?”