Bloodbound Betrayal

Chapter 15: Sarah is hospitalized

“Henry, my brother, long time no see. How’s your health these days? Could you help me reach out to that top neurosurgery expert at the hospital in the States—”

“Mrs. Taylor, I’ve got a favor to ask—could you get in touch with the leading brain specialist at the American hospital for a consultation—”

“Chloe, assistant, please pass on a message—it’s extremely urgent—”

…

Watching him frantically making calls for help, Sophie couldn’t help but feel waves of doubt. Why had Mom never once mentioned this uncle? What kind of close friends were they, exactly? Once Mom woke up, she’d have to get to the bottom of it. With these questions swirling in her mind, she turned and stepped back into the ward. Mom was already awake, staring blankly at the ceiling. When she saw Sophie, she propped herself up on the bed, trying to sit.

“Sophie, I feel fine now. No need to waste money staying in the hospital. Let’s just go home!” Mom was still treating her health like it didn’t matter.

“Mom, you scared me half to death when you fainted—woo—” Sophie quickly pressed down on her mother’s shoulders, holding her hand and sobbing softly. “You can’t scare me like that again. I was terrified.” She repeated what Uncle Jonathan had told her to say, but Mom kept struggling to get up and leave. Seeing she couldn’t win, Sophie pulled out her trump card. “At the very least, finish a full check-up before we go. Let me feel at ease, okay?”

Sarah had never seen her daughter this insistent. She softened, lay back down, and nodded. “Alright then, let’s get the checks done quickly. It’s making a fuss over nothing—I just had a headache. How could I be sick?” Sophie swallowed her tears, forced a smile, nodded, and hurried out of the room. “I’ll go get the doctor to handle the paperwork.” Her voice echoed faintly down the corridor.

Watching Sophie’s retreating figure, the ever-sensitive Sarah couldn’t help but frown. While she had been unconscious, she vaguely sensed that a long time had passed since she was first admitted—at least more than a day. All the hospital tests should have been completed by now. Why, then, was the girl insisting on a full-body check-up? When Sophie entered the room, her eyes were red and her face was puffy, as if she had been crying bitterly. This child had always been strong and rarely cried. Could something be wrong with her health?

“Ma’am, hello. Could you tell me what day it is? I’ve been unconscious for so long I’ve lost track of time,” Sarah politely asked the family member of the patient in the next bed.

Learning that three days had passed since her admission, Sarah was certain something was seriously wrong with her. That was why Sophie had been crying and, to keep her calm and in the hospital, had lied about needing a full check-up. She must have a grave illness; otherwise, Sophie wouldn’t hide it from her and sneak off to cry. The more Sarah thought, the deeper her fears grew. She didn’t even notice Jonathan sitting by her bedside.

“Sarah, stop letting your imagination run wild. You’re perfectly fine—just overworked lately. You never fully recovered from that last fainting spell, then came to London with your daughter without even contacting your brother Matthew Wilson. Always so stubborn.” Jonathan spoke softly, taking her hand. “I took the liberty of keeping you here a bit longer to treat all those minor issues.”

Sarah was startled to see Jonathan. She hadn’t expected to meet him in the hospital. “Jonathan, what are you doing here? Does Sophie know?”

“She knows, she knows,” Jonathan replied casually.

Sarah’s pupils widened in shock. She recalled Sophie’s swollen, tear-filled eyes. “I never told her. She doesn’t know. She can’t know.”

“Huh?” Jonathan was taken aback by her response, replaying her words in his mind. “Oh—oh, I didn’t say anything. I told her nothing. You warned me last time, and I promised I wouldn’t let her know. What I meant was, I saw your daughter in the hospital and learned you were admitted. Also, I’ve arranged a private room. The nurse will move you shortly. The environment here is too poor for proper recovery.”

“This isn’t right. I can’t let you—” Sarah blurted out in refusal.

“Be good and listen to me! It’s already arranged. No more excuses. I won’t stand by and do nothing for you—just do as I say.” Jonathan soothed her with endless patience. “Once you’re discharged, I’ll find you a bigger, upscale apartment. You and your daughter can live there.”

“Jonathan, it’s not necessary. You know I’ve never needed that,” Sarah said, eyes closed.

The air seemed to freeze until the nurse arrived with orderlies and equipment to transfer Sarah to another room…

Sophie, who had been eavesdropping outside the ward, followed the nurse in and helped move her mother to the luxurious private suite. The room was equipped with the latest, most advanced medical devices; it was spacious and bright, without a trace of disinfectant smell—only a faint, refreshing fragrance in the air.

Then Jonathan began issuing orders:

“Sophie, go to work at C&C with peace of mind and attend your classes. I’ll take care of Sarah. I’ll have the maid from home deliver soup and meals every day and stay here to look after her.

“Sarah, stay quietly in the hospital. That nursing home job is exhausting and pays peanuts—don’t go back. Tomorrow my assistant will handle your resignation. Cooperate fully with the doctors, keep your spirits up, and get your health back on track as quickly as possible.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll visit and care for you every single day. Don’t refuse me, Sarah. It’s been twenty years—give me this chance to take good care of you both.”

Jonathan started to speak again but stopped, gazing at the mother and daughter with deep affection.

Sophie, who had been listening at the door for ages, stared blankly at them, unable to grasp the hidden dynamics. Everything just felt strangely off in a way she couldn’t name.

Sarah, as if resigning herself to fate, slowly closed her eyes and nodded.