The Runaway Groom

Chapter 120

Ricky stammered, “I-I thought you’re not going to help? Why are you here?!”

Irene remained cold as ever. “To remove my plaster cast.”

“Hah! I knew you were an ingrate!” Ricky snapped indignantly-she would always be this cold, even though their father was asking to see her from his deathbed!

“Mrs. Jefferson has done all she can!” Mrs. Watson snapped. “She even consulted-

“Mrs. Watson,” Irene called out to her, cutting her short.

She did not have to explain her actions to anyone, let alone Samantha’s son!

Ricky could think whatever he wanted, and she was not obligated to find out or care.

Still, Lionel must have heard them in his ward, and called out, “Irene?’

Irene pursed her lips. “Yeah, it’s me.”

“Come in. I have something to say.”

Irene was reluctant, and simply said, “You just take care of yourself.”

“Irene!” Lionel’s tone turned forceful just then. “Do I have to get out of my bed?”

“Stop it, Dad. She must have fed her conscience to the dogs,” Ricky snapped.

”

“Watch what you’re saying!” Lionel barked at him, getting off his bed and walking up to the doorway. “Apologize to your sister!”

“No way!” Ricky yelled indignantly.

“Do it now!” Lionel roared, and started to hack violently.

Ricky promptly ran to him and rubbed his back, and apologized reluctantly to Irene so that Lionel would calm down. “I’m sorry.”

Then, turning back to Lionel, he said with concern, “There, I did it, Dad. You have to calm down now- you’re very sick.”

Lionel’s coughing subsided slightly just then, and he turned toward Irene. “Please.” NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

Seeing that his illness was ripping him apart alive, Irene relented, but maintained an indifferent demeanor. “Just say what you want to say. I have things to do.”

Lionel gestured for Ricky to leave them. “I need to speak with your sister alone.”

Ricky was prejudiced against Irene, and shot her a glare before leaving.

Irene took no offense, and moved her wheelchair toward Lionel while telling Mrs. Watson, Wait for me outside.”

“Okay, Mrs. Jefferson,” Mrs. Watson replied as Irene followed Lionel into his ward.

Moving to sit on his bed, Lionel studied Irene before saying, “I’m sure you know that I’m terminally ill and won’t last long, but I’d still have to thank you for getting me a specialist. I guess you still consider me your father, huh?”

Irene kept her gaze lowered in silence.

No matter how much she had to complain, she could not say a word when he was in this state.

Nonetheless, Lionel sighed and said, “I must now admit that I may have made a mistake. I shouldn’t have forced you to marry Isaac Jefferson-I can help you if you want a divorce.”

He had always been demanding toward his daughter in accordance with his own desires, and never thought about what she wanted. Therefore, he wanted to do something for her now with what time he had left.

Irene was actually surprised. “Can you really do it?”

“Probably,” Lionel replied. “Remember, your grandfather worked as Henry Jefferson’s chauffeur, and even died for him. I might be able to get a word in.”

That was when Irene became hesitant.

She had always wanted to divorce Isaac, but now that she might have a shot, she was actually reluctant.

Nonetheless, her head was clear, and she knows that she must not have feelings with Isaac or be with him.

“Do you want a divorce?” Lionel asked then.

*Irene looked up at him, and replied, “Yes.”

“Well, I’ve never done much for you,” Lionel said, “so let this be one of them while I’m still alive.”

There was so much misery in his words.

“You’ll get better,” Irene said then. “Just follow what the doctor has ordered.”

Still, both of them knew that it was unlikely-that it was just a matter of how long Lionel would last now.

”

Knowing that Irene was trying to offer him comfort, Lionel breathed a long sigh…

“Oh, who’s this? What could have brought the great Mrs. Jefferson to a humble place like this?

Samantha exclaimed as she suddenly showed up at the door, her words dripping with contempt for Irene.

Lionel gestured for her to leave. “We’re talking.”

“What about? Am I not allowed to hear it?”

Samantha refused to leave-with Lionel on death’s door, she was worried that he would list Irene as the sole heir in his will. That was why she absolutely would not allow them to be alone in one room, in fear that Irene would cajole her way to the Spencer estate.

Irene, however, was not even bothered to look at Samantha, and simply moved her wheelchair to leave

Samantha was not about to give up. “Don’t you hate your father for making you marry Isaac Jefferson? What, you suddenly grew a conscience to visit him? Or maybe you wanted something else?”