Chapter 555 Embrace
Time seemed to freeze in an instant.
Elizabeth's hand paused mid-air, the banana halfway to her mouth, and she forgot to chew.
Michael walked in, lightly coughing into his fist, and closed the door behind him.
Elizabeth snapped out of her daze and jumped up from the couch.
"Michael, what are you doing here?"
She spoke so quickly that a piece of banana got stuck in her throat, causing her to choke.
Michael hurried over and gently patted her back. "Whoa, slow down. You're not a kid anymore; you shouldn't be choking on your food."
Elizabeth's face turned red as she coughed, struggling to catch her breath. "I... just... didn't expect... you to come so soon."
Michael caught the key information in her words. "You knew I was coming?"
"I heard Gerald was hospitalized. I figured you'd be with him."
"Yeah, he's in surgery now. It's not over yet."
Elizabeth calmed down. "Where's Cordelia? Why didn't she come with you?"
Michael sat on the couch, his long legs naturally crossed. "She's not feeling well and hates hospitals."
Before Elizabeth could respond, he asked, "I heard you have a tumor in your brain?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah."
"When did you find out?"
"Not long after I got here."
Michael frowned. "Why didn't you get surgery sooner?"
Elizabeth sat on the bed. "I planned to take you back to Aurora Bay and have the surgery there. Who knew so much would happen?"
She looked down, playing with her nails.
Michael stared at her. "How can you be so careless about your health? Tumors need to be treated early. How could you delay it?"
Elizabeth mumbled, "I didn't delay it that long. I'm in the hospital now, aren't I?"
Michael raised his voice, almost scolding her. "Yeah, not long enough! You could have delayed it even more! By then, I wouldn't need to regain my memory because you'd probably be dead from the tumor spreading! I wouldn't need to go back to Aurora Bay with you! I could just stay here and start a family with Cordelia! Since you wouldn't be around!"
Elizabeth peeked at him. "Are you mad?"
Michael turned his head away, ignoring her.
Elizabeth jumped off the bed and stood in front of him. "You don't have to be so harsh. Who curses someone in a hospital? What if it comes true? Aren't you here to visit me? Or did you come just to make me angry?"
Michael sighed. "I can't be seen here. Once your surgery is over and you're able to move, I'll have Juan take you back. You being here is a liability for me."
Elizabeth nodded. "I understand. Nolan and I are a burden to you here. Luckily, Nolan has gone back. I've thought it over. After I'm discharged, I'll return to Aurora Bay. Rufus is innocent. I can't let him take risks for me here."
Michael stood up. "Good. I'm glad you understand."
He took her hand. "Now, get back in bed and rest. Your surgery is tomorrow. You need to be in good shape."
Elizabeth suddenly wanted to be a little selfish. She held onto Michael's hand. "Can you stay with me a bit longer?"
She hugged his waist, burying her head in his chest.
Michael's body stiffened, but he didn't push her away. Instead, he gently embraced her.
Elizabeth looked up at him. "You smoked? My illness worried you?"
Michael pressed her head back into his chest. "Yeah, just a little."
Her voice was tearful. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Michael's voice was unusually gentle. "It's okay. Just be more careful from now on."
Elizabeth looked up with teary eyes. "Michael, are you really going to have a child with Cordelia?"
Michael looked into her eyes and explained. "Cordelia might have a child, but it won't be mine. I've already told her I'm not interested in her. Even if she's naked, I don't feel anything. So, I can't give her the love she wants."
Elizabeth smiled through her tears. "Michael, I feel like a loved third wheel right now."
Michael chuckled. "Yeah, you can be proud of it."
"Do you have your own plan? Marrying Cordelia can't just be because Gerald forced you, right? Is there another reason?"
Michael brushed her hair back, revealing her bright eyes. "You're right. Gerald pulled me into the Murphy family, and I can't leave for now. Since I can't leave, I might as well gather some capital first."
Elizabeth was worried. "Michael."
Michael raised his hand, gently covering her lips. "Elizabeth, you don't need to persuade me."
Elizabeth shook her head, removing his hand. "I wasn't planning to. Just like how I insisted on waiting for you to leave together, I didn't listen to your advice. I know you've made up your mind and have your own considerations. I just want to tell you that I'll be waiting for you with the kids in Aurora Bay."
Michael looked at her deeply and kissed her forehead.
"Okay. Wait for me. I'll definitely come back."
Michael let go of Elizabeth. "I should go."
Elizabeth watched him leave, reluctant to see him go.
Rufus walked in, teasing. "Ms. Jones, look at you. Your eyes are practically glued to Michael."
He pulled Elizabeth back from the door. "Ms. Jones, you'd better stay inside. Gerald's bodyguards are still in the hallway. Don't cause any more trouble for Michael."
Elizabeth lowered her head and slowly walked back to the bed, muttering. "Okay, I know."
As she lay back on the bed, Gerald's surgery ended, and he was wheeled back to his room.
Elizabeth lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling out of boredom. Rufus was in the other room, scrolling through the news.
There was a knock on the door, and a stranger walked in.
Rufus immediately stood up, blocking her. "Who are you?"
The woman didn't speak, just stepped aside.
Behind her, a beautifully dressed young woman walked straight to Elizabeth's bedside.
"Elizabeth, hello. Let me formally introduce myself. I'm Cordelia, Michael's lawfully wedded wife."
Elizabeth sat up, surprised. "How did you know I was here? Who told you?"
She was still basking in the sweet warmth of her recent meeting with Michael, savoring the familiar scent of his embrace.
Cordelia's sudden appearance caught Elizabeth off guard.
She frowned. "Ms. Murphy, does your husband know you're here?"
Cordelia smiled, looking at Elizabeth like she was a defeated opponent. "I don't need to report my whereabouts to him. In our family, I'm the one in charge."
Cordelia turned and called to her maid. "Bring the things over."
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