Chapter 21: Just Strangers with a Marriage Certificate
"Maybe I caught a cold last night." Anna's face was blank as she pushed through the soreness and got dressed. "What news did you just mention?"
Aurora snapped back to the main topic, "Oh, Tina's back, and now all the big reports are buzzing about the rumors between Charles and Tina."
Aurora's voice softened, worried about Anna's feelings, "Anya, you okay?"
Anna finished dressing without a hint of emotion and grabbed her phone, heading to the bathroom. From the bathroom, Anna's voice mixed with the sound of running water.
She said, "Aurora, Charles and me, we're just strangers with a marriage certificate. The only thing connecting us is that piece of paper."
Anna washed her face and continued, "A few days ago, when I was at my lowest, he married me, and I'm grateful to him."
She paused, looking at herself in the mirror, speaking to both Aurora and herself, "Besides gratitude and the nominal marriage, there's nothing else between us. So, all his rumors have nothing to do with me."
Aurora's first reaction was that Anna was really cold-hearted. But on second thought, the best way to handle it was indeed what Anna said.
Even Michael, who had cared for Anna meticulously for eight years, could become cold and heartless. So what about Charles, who was always surrounded by rumors?
Understanding this, Aurora felt relieved. "Anya, I'm glad you can see it this way. When do you get off work?"
"Saturday and Sunday, I have two days off."
Aurora calculated the dates. Today was Wednesday, so in three days, she could take a break.
While coordinating her own time, she said to Anna, "Great, on Saturday, let's go out and relax."
Anna agreed.
The next three days passed relatively peacefully.
Michael hadn't come to Radiant Life Hospital recently. Charles also hadn't returned to Regal Retreat in the evenings.
In Doctor's Office 308, Anna gradually adapted to the hospital's mode. These days, her life was quiet, but outside, the rumors about Charles and Tina were getting more and more intense.
No matter how chaotic it was outside, Anna ignored it all.
On Friday.
In the third-floor restroom of Radiant Life Hospital.
Two young nurses were quietly discussing the matters among Charles, Anna, and Tina.
One nurse said, "I originally thought Mr. Percy suddenly got married to settle down, but who knew, as soon as Tina came back, the rumors between Mr. Percy and Tina have been increasing these days."
The other one also said, "Who wouldn't think so? But it's understandable. Even if Dr. Howard married Mr. Percy, everyone knows Dr. Howard had an eight-year relationship with Mr. Tudor."
She exclaimed, "Eight years! Which man wouldn't mind his wife having been with another man for eight years?"
"Exactly. I guess Mr. Percy is just playing with Dr. Howard, and Tina is his true love." At this point, the other nurse suddenly lowered her voice, seemingly concerned about whether anyone else was around, and whispered to her companion, "I heard that Mr. Percy and Tina have known each other since childhood. Later, Tina entered the entertainment industry, and it seemed Mr. Percy's mother didn't like the profession, so she didn't let Mr. Percy be with Tina."
The other nurse was evidently surprised. "Really? Then didn't Mrs. Percy mind Dr. Howard and Mr. Tudor being together for so many years?"
"Who knows, but the situation in wealthy families is always complicated. We can't know if there are any secrets."
"That's true." She said, washing her hands, and added, "But our Dr. Howard is the daughter of Wesley Howard, a famous doctor. If Dr. Howard's parents were still around, she would be a true socialite in Crystal City, and her status would probably surpass Tina's."
In one of the restroom stalls, Anna stood quietly, listening to the two young nurses gossiping outside. Half a minute later, she threw the paper into the trash can.
She pushed open the door and walked out expressionlessly.
One of the nurses was about to continue speaking but was startled by the sudden sound of the stall door opening.
The two looked up, and when they saw the person they had been gossiping about standing before them, their faces turned pale with fright. They instinctively took a step back.
They said, "Dr. Howard."
Anna walked past them, washed her hands, and took a paper towel to dry them. From beginning to end, her face showed no expression.
As she left the restroom and passed by them, Anna's steps paused slightly. Her voice was calm and emotionless as she commented on their discussion, "Well-informed."
The two nurses' faces turned even paler.
They lowered their heads, trembling.