Chapter 426 Do You Believe in Fate
Raymond stood by the hallway window, watching the snowflakes swirl outside. His mood had hit rock bottom.
He thought back to when they first met, during freshman orientation. She was the student council president, wearing the same down jacket she had on today, her hair in a bun, makeup flawless.
Maybe it was because of her upbringing, but Margaret stood out even in a sea of new students. She was a cut above the rest. He noticed her immediately.
He followed behind Sarah, who whispered to him, "That's the Hughes family's daughter. She's really proud and doesn't like people who try to butter her up. You should do the opposite and play it cool."
No wonder so many people tried to win her favor. Partly because of her impressive family background, and partly because she had the looks to match.
Sarah led Raymond over to her. He didn't know what perfume she was wearing, but it smelled wonderful and sophisticated. Margaret looked up at him. That one glance shook him to his core. If it weren't for the hatred, Margaret would have been exactly his type.
He rarely interacted with people as wealthy as Margaret. Though he was incredibly nervous, he tried to appear indifferent and mature, extending his hand, "Hi, I'm Raymond."
His tone was cold, and Margaret didn't shake his hand. But he made sure to show up at her favorite snack shop, in the classes of professors she liked, and made a point to stand out, showing off his knowledge.
With Sarah constantly talking about him to her, Margaret quickly became interested. She came to ask for his WhatsApp. He was genuinely happy, but remembering his plan to play hard to get and that she was his enemy's daughter, his happiness quickly faded.
To get close to Margaret, he did his homework, learning what she liked and disliked. Everything Sarah told him, he remembered. Soon, Margaret fell for him. He agreed to date her, but kept her at arm's length, afraid he might fall for her too.
He focused on his studies, deliberately letting her know he was struggling, wanting to save money and start a business. She suggested marrying her might help him achieve his dreams faster.
He was somewhat happy about marrying her. But then he remembered the fire that killed his parents and destroyed his home, and he treated her coldly.
After they married, he had nightmares every night, his mother cursing him for being ungrateful, for forgetting her dying words, for forgetting their hatred!
Raymond watched the snow outside, falling heavier and heavier, blurring his vision. Now he realized how important she was to him, but fate hadn't spared them.
If she hadn't regained her memory, they would have already had their wedding and moved abroad, living a happy life. But there were no "ifs."
Raymond felt a panic he had never felt before. He had never been this scared.
A nurse approached, asking if he was Raymond. He said he was.
"Can you get some clothes for Ms. Hughes? In case she needs a change when she comes out."
Raymond decided to go himself, leaving Alvin to keep watch and report any updates.
Raymond didn't want to stay at the hospital because if he had nothing to do, his mind would wander. He couldn't stop thinking about the past, about what he would do if Margaret really died. His head felt like it was going to explode, and he couldn't come up with an answer.
He left the hospital. His black boots crunched in the deep snow. The heavy snowflakes landed on his tense face, his eyebrows, his eyes, and on the shoulders of his black coat. He quickly walked to the Cullinan, opened the door, and sat in the driver's seat.
The car smelled of blood—Margaret's blood. The scent made him feel suffocated, uncomfortable. He pressed the control button, lowering the window halfway. The cold wind and snow blew in. He felt a bit better.
His phone rang suddenly. He didn't check the caller ID, just answered.
"Mr. Howard, it's me." Rufus's voice came through the phone.
Raymond drove, the car rolling heavily over the snow-covered road. "What is it?"
"Mr. Howard, it seems you've forgotten my warning again. Have you discussed your condition with Mrs. Howard? You can't delay, you need to get treatment immediately." Rufus was concerned about his health.
Raymond wanted to get treatment too, but he had been arguing with Margaret and hadn't had the chance to tell her. Now Margaret was in the emergency room, her fate uncertain.
"I'm waiting." He would get treatment once Margaret woke up and was better.
"Mr. Howard, you need to take this seriously. If you keep delaying, you could die!"
"Do you believe in fate?" Raymond gripped the steering wheel, watching the road ahead, and suddenly asked.
"What?"
"Never mind. Once I handle things here, I'll contact you." Raymond hung up.
He didn't believe in fate before. Now he did. His situation with Margaret was so dramatic. He used to think he could control everything, but now he felt like an ant before fate.
If he died, it was his fate. Those not meant to die wouldn't, no matter what. Those meant to die, no matter how much one tried to save them, would die. Like Marlon, who jumped from the balcony despite Margaret's efforts.
At the apartment, Raymond opened the door. The place felt empty, lifeless. Something was missing. He quickly walked to the closet, picked out a few of her favorite clothes, folded them, and put them in a bag.
Passing the bedroom, he saw her door was open. He walked in quietly. He saw a drawer under the desk, locked with a small lock. What was inside? Her secret?
He really wanted to know, and he could find a way to open it. But thinking about their broken relationship and how angry she would be, he gave up. Everyone had secrets, and Margaret was no different. He should respect her secrets, even if he never knew them.
Raymond turned, hurried downstairs, and headed back to the hospital. He didn't know that when he saw the notebook in the drawer, his world would collapse, especially when he found out Margaret had a terminal illness and had wished him well despite his curses. His inner defenses would crumble instantly.
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