Chapter 4 Love and Indifference Are Obvious
1201 Words
"Bradley. Let go of me. Someone's coming." Angela struggled even harder as she heard voices approaching. Angela thought, 'Bradley and I are already divorced. What was he doing now? The hospital was crowded, if word got out, how could I face anyone?'
Bradley, on the other hand, felt his emotions surge as he watched her struggle, especially since the voice that had just called her name was a man's, and he had addressed her so intimately.
"Angela, are you cheating on me behind my back?"
Angela, who had been trying to avoid a scene with Bradley, almost laughed in anger when she heard his words. Bradley was being jealous, but why?
"Bradley, have you forgotten that we are already divorced?" After saying this, Angela pushed Bradley away.
"Angela, are you available?" The male voice from outside the door grew closer.
It was Anthony Woodard, Angela's good friend. She had come to this hospital partly because of his warm invitation.
"What's going on here?" Anthony asked with a hint of doubt in his eyes as he saw Angela and Bradley.
"Am I interrupting you? If you're busy, I'll come back later." Despite saying he would come back later, Anthony showed no intention of turning to leave.
"It's nothing. What's the matter? Is there something you need?" Angela raised her hand to brush her hair, as if to fix the mess Bradley had made of it, or perhaps to calm herself down.
She felt both awkward and embarrassed.
"I heard you went straight into surgery as soon as you got back. How did it go? How is the patient doing?" Noticing the unusual blush on Angela's face, Anthony glanced at the man inside.
His clear, elegant eyes swept over Bradley, his brows furrowing slightly.
The atmosphere in the examination room seemed to cool down, becoming oppressive and suffocating.
"The surgery was quite successful, but the damage was severe. If it happens again, she will probably be over," Angela said calmly about the surgery as if she hadn't noticed the change in atmosphere. Her words were meant for Anthony, but also for Bradley.
Angela was a renowned doctor, so why should she focus all her attention into a man, only to be hurt by his coldness?
After a brief chat about the patient, Anthony noticed that Bradley had not left. The tension in the room was palpable.
Seeing that Bradley hadn't left for a long time, Anthony asked, "And this is?"
"The patient's family." Angela blurted out without thinking.
When he heard Angela's words, Bradley's face darkened, and a surge of displeasure welled up inside him.
Anthony didn't miss the look on Bradley's face either. He guessed that their relationship might not be simple, but Angela's affairs over the past few years were not exactly a secret, and he didn't want to pry.
As long as she was in front of him now, nothing mattered.
"It's about time. Let's grab a bite to eat. Consider it a celebration for the successful completion of your first surgery since coming back," Anthony said, his tone laced with inquiry.
He completely ignored Bradley, whose face had darkened considerably.
Just as Angela was about to agree, which would also serve as a way to drive him away, Bradley's voice suddenly sounded behind her, "She's not free." Bradley strode towards Angela, grabbed her hand, and walked out.
"What are you doing?" Angela was annoyed by Bradley's actions; he had completely disregarded her feelings.
Angela struggled to shake off Bradley's hand and said, "We're just doctor and patient's family now. Please maintain basic respect for the doctor."
Bradley was the one who wanted a divorce, and now he was causing a scene like this. He seemed to have thought of Angela as a plaything to be summoned and dismissed at will.
Bradley said, "Calling me 'patient's family' over and over again. Are you in such a hurry to distance yourself from me? Why? Afraid that Anthony will find out about our relationship and affect your chances of finding your next target?" His eyesight was excellent; just now, when he brushed past Anthony, Bradley glanced at the work ID on his chest and immediately recognized the name.
"It's none of your business. Are you saying that you're allowed to pursue your true love, but I'm not allowed to find happiness again?"
Bradley stared at Angela, his eyes filled with rage. "Angela, we're not divorced yet."
He hadn't signed the divorce papers.
Enraged, Bradley grabbed Angela's hand again and dragged her away, his grip so tight that it made her wince.
"Bradley, the hand you're squeezing is the lifeline of your beloved. If you break it, no one will be able to save her."
This time, Angela didn't argue with him. She just spoke softly with a hint of mockery.
The wind howled outside, whistling past them with a cold bleakness. She couldn't even feel a hint of warmth.
Angela thought, 'His tolerance is all because of Jessica, isn't it?'
Bradley paused at her words, loosening his grip slightly.
This subconscious reaction made Angela's heart sink again. He didn't let go when she said it hurt, but he loosened his grip when she mentioned his beloved. The difference between love and indifference was so obvious.
Just then, Bradley's phone rang.
They were standing close together, but the ringing of the phone created a sudden distance between them. The atmosphere grew strange, and even Angela couldn't help but glance at his trouser pocket.
"Aren't you going to answer the phone? Your beloved is looking for you," Angela said coldly, and this time he didn't refute her.
Bradley answered the phone.
"Hello, Bradley, where are you? I woke up and didn't see you. Are you busy?" Jessica's voice came through the phone, laced with a hint of grievance and fear.
She had called as soon as she saw that Bradley wasn't there. Her words were filled with concern and inquiry, all while maintaining a demeanor of a serene and aloof angelic b***h.
Jessica's voice wasn't loud, but the hospital corridor was quiet enough for Angela to hear her.
"I had some business to attend to at the company and came back. I'm on my way over now."
When Bradley spoke to Jessica, his tone softened, a gentleness that Angela had never experienced. Angela could even see the ice in his eyes melt away in an instant.
It turned out that even the flowers on the cold plateau would melt for a beauty.
Angela thought, 'So, it wasn't that he didn't know how to be gentle, didn't know how to care for someone. He just simply didn't love me.'
The truth was always crueler than reality.
Angela felt her hands clench tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She had told herself not to yearn for what was impossible, but she still couldn't help but feel sad for the years she had invested.
On the other end of the line, Jessica didn't say much after learning that Bradley was busy.
"Okay, can you come over quickly? I'm a little scared." She only asked Bradley to hurry over.
"Yes, I'll be right there." And with that, Bradley turned and walked back without another glance at Angela.
- Writer
