Chapter 200 He Is My Man
The ambulance got there fast, checked Lily, and confirmed she was out of danger.
The middle-aged man's family had originally planned to head to the hospital for observation, but James assured them it wasn't necessary. He told them that with just two more doses of medicine, Lily would be perfectly fine.
Noticing their financial constraints, James wanted to save them some money. After everything they'd been through, the middle-aged man trusted James implicitly and paid $30 for the two doses of medicine.
"You all really trust him," Addison said, feeling uncomfortable as everyone treated James like a hero. "Aren't you worried he just got lucky? If the snake venom comes back, you'll regret not going to the clinic."
Before James could respond, the middle-aged man slapped Addison and shouted, "Get out! If Dr. Williams hadn't saved Lily, I would've strangled you today."
Other patients were also angry, pointing at Addison and yelling, "Get out!"
"Get out of here!"
Everyone had a sick family member, so they all empathized and were furious at Addison.
Dozens of people shouted together, making Addison panic and retreat out the door.
Charles and Christopher also left quickly, afraid of the angry crowd.
"Barbarians, barbarians," Addison muttered, covering her cheek outside the clinic. "All barbarians, a bunch of social scum. If I ever treat you people again, I won't be called Dr. Moore."
The middle-aged man and his family grabbed some stools and rushed out.
Addison and her companions quickly got in their car and drove away.
Once things calmed down, James asked Daniel to keep treating patients while he led Mary to a resting area in the backyard.
He seated Mary, poured her a glass of water, and went to get some medicine.
Despite her polished appearance and well-chosen attire, Mary couldn't hide the weariness in her eyes and the pallor of her complexion.
James always cherished her deeply, even if he never showed it.
Mary watched James as he busied himself.
She had always thought James wasn't particularly handsome, but his well-defined features grew more pleasing the longer she looked.
He wasn't overweight, even a bit lean, but his calm demeanor gave a sense of security as if nothing could break him.
James had saved her twice, at Vocal Vista and Lotus Hotel. Without him, her life would be very different.
Reflecting on her past disdain for James, she felt a twinge of guilt and sadness.
"Here, let me apply some medicine for you."
The kick from the Lily's family left a shoe print on Mary's clothes and made her abdomen red and swollen.
James sat down in front of Mary, then smiled and shook his head. "Better let Kaitlyn do it."
They were divorced, and physical contact felt inappropriate.
"No need; you do it," Mary quickly grabbed James' hand. "You're the doctor; you'll do a better job than Kaitlyn."
James hesitated, then said, "Alright."
He carefully lifted Mary's shirt and gently applied the medicinal alcohol, massaging her abdomen.
The close contact let him catch a familiar scent, as intoxicating as ever, but James knew she could never be his.
After applying the medicine, James went to the bathroom, got some hot water, soaked a towel, wrung it out, and handed it to her.
"Lie down on the bench and apply this for a while. It's a bit hot, so bear with it."
Mary did as he said, lying on her side and placing the towel on her abdomen.
"It seems your medical skills are really impressive. I can hardly feel the pain now, and the swelling has gone down by half."
She playfully quipped, "How come I never noticed this before?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she felt a wave of embarrassment, mixed with a tinge of guilt. James had mentioned his medical knowledge more than once, yet she had always underestimated him.
"I only know a little," James said with a smile, trying to comfort her. "I can treat minor stuff, but not the big things."
"James," Mary called softly, then changed the subject, "Have you been spending time with Olivia lately?"
"Sort of," James replied honestly after a moment of thought, surprised by her question.
Even though he believed he hadn't crossed any lines that night, he couldn't quite gauge how everything had turned out, which left him with some complicated feelings regarding Olivia.
Despite her busy schedule, Olivia almost always came to the clinic every day, either bringing food or fruit. She not only took care of everything for James but also got along well with Jared and the others. Sometimes, she even helped out with patients, disregarding her own status.
In doing so, she clearly established her place as his significant other.
James didn't know if he loved Olivia, but he knew she had become an indispensable part of his life.
"Should I be happy that you're still so open with me, or disappointed that my ex-husband is involved with another woman?" Mary’s smile faltered slightly, feeling a bit sad, then she showed a hint of self-mockery.
James smiled. "You did say 'ex-husband.'"
Mary reached out and threw the towel back into the basin.
Suspecting was one thing, but hearing James' honesty was another.
If he had lied to her, it wouldn't have been so hard to accept.
"James, it was my fault before. I shouldn't have looked down on you, doubted you, or sided with my mom against you. I sincerely apologize for all my past foolish actions, and I want to thank you for saving me from Jesse Watson and Joseph. Otherwise, my life would be ruined now."
Feeling she was getting too emotional, Mary tried to control herself. "James, you once said I never loved you. Would you give me another chance to try to truly love you? I promise I'll do better than before."
Mary grabbed James' hand. "This time, my heart is no longer stone; it's warm."
James struggled to keep his composure, but his heart raced, feeling the warmth spread through his entire body. He was taken aback by Mary's words and her unprecedented openness.
"Mary, I'm sorry, but James won't be with you again." At that moment, a cold voice came from the hallway, and Olivia, dressed in red, appeared quickly.
"He's my man now, and there's a contract. You should give up."
As she spoke, she threw out a contract, the very agreement James couldn't remember.
"James, tell me this isn't true." Mary looked up suddenly.
James sighed softly, "It's true."
Mary was struck as if by lightning, biting her lip, her hands and feet trembling.
"You really are with her? You bastard!"
She instinctively raised her hand to slap James.
But the slap never landed on James' face; Olivia caught her wrist.
Olivia said firmly, "Ms. Smith, James is my man, not anyone else's. If you want to hit someone, hit me.
"The way the Smith family treated him before, the way you mistreated him, I won't bring it up because it's in the past. But from now on, I won't let you or the Smith family bully him.
"And don't talk about stealing. You and James are divorced; any woman can pursue him. Besides, James is such a good man. If you didn't cherish him, why can't other women? Mary, you can't be too selfish or domineering. The world doesn't revolve around you."
Mary thought, 'Yes, having given him up, what right do I have to complain?'
Mary managed a wry smile, pulling her hand back and stumbling toward the door, her face devoid of anger, lost in despair.
James didn't go after her.
Some cracks, once formed, were too deep to mend, no matter how strong the feelings might be.
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