Chapter 359 The Stirrings of Jealousy in Mrs. Windsor
"Congee, thank you," Oliver came the soft words of gratitude.
Natalie returned the sentiment with a gentle smile, "It's I who should be thanking you. It was my fault that you got injured."
If it hadn't been for her, there would be no need for this early morning visit, no need to bear the sight of her clinging to her man while still maintaining a smile. The thought of it was suffocating, and the more Natalie dwelled on it, the more she felt a tightness in her chest.
Upon reflection, she realized she was being a tad narrow-minded. But why? Natalie couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Didn't you get breakfast for me, Natalie?" Oliver's voice interrupted her thoughts. He was eyeing the food on the table with a discerning gaze.
Natalie turned to him. "I bought plenty. Why do you think there's none for you? Susan and I can't possibly finish it all."
Oliver prodded a steamed bun through the plastic bag with a look of distaste. "This doesn't look appetizing, Natalie. I'd rather eat something you made."
"Mr. Windsor, this is food, not a toy. Why are you poking it?" Natalie's tone was sharp as she set the bun aside. "If you don't want to eat, then starve. I'm not in a position to cook you breakfast right now."
Despite her harsh words, Oliver didn't show any signs of anger. He simply leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching Natalie with a leisurely gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Mr. Windsor?" Natalie's discomfort was evident.
"Feeling guilty, Mrs. Windsor?" Oliver's smile was teasing.
"I'm not feeling guilty," Natalie muttered defensively. Had she let her discomfort show too clearly when Susan hugged him?
Susan watched the exchange, clutching the quilt tightly, her heart aching. Reality was hitting her like a slap in the face.
Unable to bear their exclusive conversation any longer, she interjected with a forced smile. "Is there any vegetable salad? I'd like some."
"Of course." Natalie quickly moved past Oliver to serve Susan her breakfast.
She didn't want to linger with Susan any longer than necessary. Taking her own portion of breakfast, she retreated to the lounge.
As Natalie walked away, Oliver followed closely behind. "Mrs. Windsor," he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Are you jealous?"
Natalie denied it outright. "No."
With a click of his tongue, Oliver tilted Natalie's chin to face him. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he said, "I know you're jealous. Did you see Susan hug me? Aren't you jealous?"
Natalie said, "No."
"Natalie, I let go of her hand. Didn't you see it?" Oliver kissed her gently. "Don't be sad, okay?"
Natalie looked at Oliver and nodded. "Okay."
Suddenly, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Now, she couldn't even muster the energy to scold him. Any word of reproach would be met with guilt.
"I need to go back to Paykston urgently," she announced. She needed to conduct a paternity test.
"I'll go with you," Oliver offered without hesitation.
"I'll go alone." Natalie decided after a moment's thought. "You can send bodyguards with me. You should stay here with Susan. It's not fair to leave her alone."
"Aren't you afraid she'll get the wrong idea about me?" Oliver's playful demeanor vanished.
Natalie knew he didn't truly believe Susan harbored feelings for him; he was just feeling rejected. "Trust is the foundation of a relationship, Oliver. It's not just about physical intimacy."
After Natalie left, the hospital felt empty to Oliver. No matter how he looked at it, he felt like an abandoned puppy.
Standing alone in the wind, he lit a cigarette. As he smoked and the cold wind blew, his mind wandered back to the conversation in the ward.
Susan had said he had never cried out in pain. But at the age of fifteen, he had been in a car accident that nearly cost him his sight. The pain had been unbearable, not just physically, but emotionally as well. His pride had been wounded, his heart ached.
Even though he had always been proud and despised weakness, he had cried out in pain back then.
However, after ten years, Susan had probably forgotten.
During his brutal rehabilitation training, with a thick blackout cloth over his eyes, he once clenched his fists so tightly that the wounds on his hands reopened.
He couldn't see, but he could feel the warm liquid trickling through his fingers.
His eyes were injured, so he couldn't even cry.
Then, a pair of soft hands held his, a voice filled with worry saying, "Your wounds are fine. Don't use so much force; it will hurt!"
"It doesn't hurt!" The fifteen-year-old him denied it stubbornly.
"How could it not hurt? I know you're in pain. I won't tell anyone." The girl's voice was soft, clear, and gentle, more soothing than the warm winter sun.
She had said, "It's okay. You'll get better. The doctor said you'll get better as long as you don't give up and try your best. You'll be able to see again, you know? Your ward has a special location with a big window. You can see the sunset just by looking out, and if you're lucky, you can see the beautiful evening glow. When your eyes are better, you'll definitely love it!"
Susan's voice back then was completely different from her adult voice. But it was normal for voices to change from childhood to adulthood.
Oliver thought of this scene the first time Natalie mentioned the sunset. Later, when he removed the bandage and saw Susan sitting in front of his sickbed, he never heard her mention the sunset again.
He even felt that the Susan he saw with his eyes open was completely different from the one he knew when he was blind, as if they were not the same person at all.
Oliver thought, perhaps when he was blind, his other senses became exceptionally sharp, leading to such an illusion.
If it wasn't Susan by his side, then who else could it be?
Regardless, he remembered that Susan accompanied him through the most difficult years of his youth.
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