Chapter 495 Immediately Send Yvette Home
Yvette pushed open the door to Clifford's room and stepped inside. She glanced around the space—Clifford was resting, his silhouette peaceful and serene in the soft light filtering through the window.
Taking a deep breath, she approached the bedside where she stood facing his parents.
Both Felix and Gabrielle looked up, their expressions shifting slightly at her presence.
"I need to speak with you both," Yvette said, her voice calm but resolute.
"Now?" Gabrielle glanced nervously back at Clifford, lowering her voice to barely above a whisper. "He's still sleeping. I don't feel comfortable leaving him."
Yvette's patience snapped, and she raised her voice slightly. "Would you prefer I discuss this right here in his room?"
Felix and Gabrielle exchanged startled looks, clearly taken aback by her sharp tone. They quickly gestured for her to keep quiet, afraid she might wake Clifford.
Felix rose from his chair. "Whatever you need to say, we can discuss it outside."
Yvette followed them out to the seating area in the corridor, where the three settled into facing chairs, tension thick in the air.
Looking directly at them, Yvette cut straight to the point. "You said I needed to stay until he woke up. He's awake now. Why won't you let me go?"
This wasn't their first such conversation—all three had grown accustomed to these tense negotiations.
Felix and Gabrielle exchanged a meaningful glance before Felix frowned and replied, "Clifford's condition remains unstable. He was injured because of you—I believe you bear some responsibility for that."
"I'm willing to take responsibility," Yvette said firmly. "I've told you repeatedly—if you let me return to the Valdemar family, I'll cover everything. Medical expenses, specialist doctors, whatever he needs."
"This isn't about money or medical care."
"Then what exactly is it about?" Yvette fixed them with an unwavering stare, enunciating each word carefully. "What are you trying to use me to get from Albert? Have you already threatened him with my disappearance?"
Her directness cut through their evasions like a blade. She was done playing games.
Yvette no longer doubted Albert's determination to find her. But if even the Valdemar family's resources couldn't locate her, it meant the Hayes family had gone to extraordinary lengths to keep her hidden. This had to be about more than simply wanting her to comfort Clifford.
Gabrielle sighed heavily, shaking her head in denial. "How can you think so poorly of us? We have no quarrel with your husband. Why would we use you to threaten him?"
Felix nodded emphatically. "We genuinely just want you here to spend time with Clifford, to be by his side. You saw how he was when he woke up—the first thing he asked about was you!"
Their insistence on this single explanation only deepened Yvette's suspicion. The more vehemently they denied any ulterior motive, the less she believed them.
Yvette was about to voice her skepticism when the hospital room door suddenly swung open behind them.
All three turned in surprise to see Clifford standing in the doorway, his face dark with anger and disappointment.
He walked directly toward his parents, his brow furrowed deeply. "Mom, Dad—why are you doing this?"
Felix and Gabrielle immediately grew flustered, exchanging guilty looks. "We... we're only trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" Clifford's voice carried genuine bewilderment. "By keeping a married couple apart? By holding someone against their will?"
His parents looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
Clifford drew a shaky breath, his voice growing stronger despite his obvious weakness. "I don't need this kind of protection. Please—let Ms. Orlando go home immediately."
"But—"
Seeing their continued hesitation, Clifford's frustration boiled over. "If you truly care about me, you'll respect my wishes."
The exertion of standing and speaking so forcefully triggered a violent coughing fit that left him gasping.
Felix and Gabrielle rushed toward him in panic. "Clifford!"
He stumbled back a step, waving them away. "Let her go home."
"Yes, yes, of course!" Gabrielle reached for him with tears in her eyes. "We'll send her back right away!"
Yvette watched Clifford's pale, drawn face, noting his cracked lips and the exhaustion in his eyes. Guilt washed over her as she silently mouthed, "Thank you."
Clifford managed a weak smile in return.
Yvette had virtually no belongings to pack—just the hospital gowns she'd been wearing, no phone, no personal items. The weeks following the explosion had passed like a nightmare, leaving her feeling like a ghost of herself.
After changing into street clothes, she prepared to leave when Felix and Gabrielle appeared with a small bag.
"Ms. Orlando, we owe you an apology for this entire situation. We acted foolishly."
Yvette hesitated, instinctively waving the bag away. "That's not necessary."
"These are medications tailored to your current condition," Gabrielle pressed the bag into her hands. "Please take them. Once you're back with the Valdemar family, I'm sure they'll have better doctors examine you and adjust your treatment. But medical evaluations and new treatment plans take time, and your body is still so fragile—missing even one dose could cause serious problems."
Remembering how weak she'd felt after skipping her medication that one day, Yvette reluctantly accepted the bag. "Thank you."
"Ms. Orlando, we're truly sorry..."
"I'm the one who should apologize," Yvette said quietly. "Mr. Hayes was injured because of me. I understand your anger, and I won't shirk my responsibility."
The rhythmic thunder of helicopter rotors suddenly filled the air, growing louder as the aircraft approached. The sound cut through the atmosphere like a promise of freedom.
"Your ride is here, Ms. Orlando."
When Yvette emerged from the building, the helicopter had already touched down on the landing pad. The sight of the aircraft that would carry her home—back to her children and Albert—sent her heart racing with anticipation.
"I'm sorry about my parents' behavior," Clifford's voice called out behind her.
She turned to see him being wheeled outside by a nurse, looking frail but determined.
Clifford raised his hand in farewell. "Travel safely."
Yvette nodded, feeling her eyes burn with unshed tears. "You..."
"I'll be fine," Clifford smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about me—I'm stronger than I look. I'll recover quickly. Go home. BoBo and CiCi must be missing you terribly."
At the mention of her children, Yvette's excitement became almost overwhelming.
"Goodbye. Take care of yourself."
She waved and turned toward the helicopter, watching Clifford's wheelchair-bound figure grow smaller in the distance. Tears of joy threatened to spill over.
Soon—so very soon—she would see Albert again. She had so much to tell him, so many words that had been building up inside her during these endless weeks of separation.
And her children. Her babies.
Just as these thoughts filled her mind with warmth, a familiar sharp pain suddenly shot through her body. That distinctive needle-like sensation made her freeze in recognition.
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