Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 34: Are you suggesting...

~Central Hospital ~

Several minutes after Bob left the hospital ward, Aaron arrived, his footsteps brisk and hurried. The elevator took longer than expected to arrive, and when it finally arrived, he stepped in and hastily shut the door, eliciting complaints from those waiting. He barely acknowledged them—his mind was elsewhere.

Reaching the corridor leading to Desmond’s ward, he took a deep breath to gather his composure before he pushed the door open.

Inside the ward, Desmond lay on the hospital bed his gaze on the blank canvas of the ceiling, looking visibly drained. His face was pale, tiny beads of sweat clinging to his forehead. His hand clutched his abdomen tightly, and his usually sharp eyes was dull. An IV drip was attached to his hand to provide him with much-needed fluids, but it was clear he isn’t close to recovery.

"Dad", he called tentatively as he pulled a chair closer and sat down, he gazed at Desmond briefly while assessing his condition. "How are you feeling now?" His voice was calm, but tinged with concern lingering beneath his usual arrogant tone.

Desmond scoffed, his lips curling in displeasure. "Painful," he muttered as he shifted slightly to face him. "The doctor said it was an acute gastritis. A bleeding ulcer sent me to the emergency room isn’t it ridiculous?." He winced, his fingers tightening over his stomach.

Aaron’s brow furrowed, his tone inquisitive. "Did you have any symptoms before this?"

Desmond sighed lightly. "I ignored them because I assumed that it was just indigestion. But now it seems that damn alcohol..." His voice trailed off, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. He wasn’t a lightweight when it came to drinking and can be able to handle his liquor should there be any emergency. But last night, was a different case and it all changed after Jessica gave him some drinks.

Aaron narrowed his eyes. "Dad, do you think someone tampered with your drink?"

Desmond’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but... Jessica, Jessica. She might not be as innocent as she appears."

Aaron’s expression darkened slightly. "Are you suggesting—"

Desmond cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Not yet. But I want you to keep an eye on her. She is about to join the Group and when she does make sure someone watches her every move. I don’t trust her not anymore."

Aaron exhaled and leaned back in his chair. "Understood." He glanced at the IV drip. "What is the doctor’s suggestion about your discharge?"

"They’ll keep me under observation for another day. If my condition stabilizes, I can leave tomorrow." Desmond sighed, rubbing his temple. "There is no time for me to be lying around in a hospital bed. There’s so much to take care of."

displeasure. "Don’t you

turned cold and distant as he instructed Aaron. "Find out everything

curt nod.

mind brimming with suspicion as he reveled on the incident and his interaction with Jessica last night. He couldn’t

left this hospital, he

the ward with Desmond in the hospital discussing events the channel of actions that needs to be taken. A thought flashed through Aaron’s mind "What mission is Bob on?" Aaron asked his gaze pointed as he stared at

dancing in it.

taking note of the brief pause

his gut told him there was

Aaron repeated, his tone laced with skepticism. "That’s unlike you, Dad. Since when

eyes didn’t fade. "Since I ended up in this damn hospital bed," he said, adjusting his position slightly. "Something doesn’t sit right with me, Aaron. And when things don’t sit right, I dig deeper and deeper until I get answers." He answered with

leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "And Bob?

his fingers tapping lightly against the hospital blanket. "Let’s just say... I have a feeling last night wasn’t a coincidence. Someone played a hand, and I don’t like being on the receiving end of manipulation but—it is more confusing because I was there when she brought the drink and in was the one that opened the seal." He muttered with his brows

"You think Jessica had something to do

"It’s too early to tell. But whether it’s Jessica or someone

"I’ll keep an eye on her at the

see what kind

the phone, his mood turned sour and his fingers clenched around his phone as he saw Vera’s name flashing on the screen. His patience was already wearing thin, and the fact that she had the audacity to call

answering, his voice cold. "What do

brief pause, then her voice came through, smooth but laced with irritation. "Aaron, do you have any idea what

scoffed, rubbing his temple. "Since when do you care about

stay out this late without informing me. Do you expect me to just

jaw tightened. "I don’t owe

a sharp laugh. "Oh, really? You don’t owe me an explanation,

her off, his voice dangerously

before speaking again, her tone shifting to something softer, almost pleading. "Aaron, why are you doing this? What wrong have I done to you? Isn’t it proper for one’s wife to know of his whereabouts?