Chapter 717 I Beg You
"Yeah, there is. The next tour group leaves tomorrow morning. It's a week-long trip to the prairie for horseback riding, and we cover all the expenses," the college student said, barely able to contain her excitement.
It was her first day on the job, and she had already made a sale! Once she got her paycheck, she could send the money to her grandma for her medical bills.
"Alright, I'll take it," Desiree replied, sounding indifferent.
All she wanted was to get away from here and not see Harold and Daryl again.
After paying, she added the tour guide on Facebook and booked a hotel near the departure point to stay the night instead of going home.
In her room, she video-called Liam and Tessa. "I'm joining a tour group tomorrow and will be back next week," she told them.
"Sure, you should be out exploring at your age. Have you packed your bags?" Tessa asked, not opposing the idea but worried Desiree might not enjoy herself.
Desiree shook her head. She hadn't packed anything, but it didn't matter. "I can buy whatever I need when I get there," she said.
"You can buy other stuff, but we'll send you a set of bed linens. Your skin is sensitive, and hotel sheets might give you a rash," Liam added.
No matter how nice the hotel was, their linens couldn't compare. Liam still remembered when Desiree had a skin allergy as a kid, and they had to rush to the hospital in the middle of the night for treatment, which took forever to heal.
"I'm staying pretty far from home, so you don't need to make the trip. It's too much trouble," Desiree said, not wanting Liam and Tessa to go out of their way for her so late.
But just as she cared for Liam and Tessa, they cared deeply for her too. When Liam insisted on coming, Desiree couldn't say no.
After hanging up, Desiree suddenly thought of Harold. She figured, 'He should be gone by now, probably back home enjoying a cozy time with Isolde.'
Little did she know, Harold was still waiting downstairs at her place. As time passed and the temperature dropped, the cold wind cut through Harold's clothes, chilling him to the bone.
But he refused to leave. What if Desiree came back soon?
Until a blanket was draped over him, warming him up. Could it be that Desiree had returned? Maybe she still cared about him after all.
But when he turned around and saw it was Isolde, he felt instantly disappointed. The joy in his eyes vanished.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"It's so late, and you haven't gone home. I asked the receptionist at your company, and they said you left a long time ago. So I guessed you might be here. Why don't you take care of yourself?" Isolde reached out to adjust the blanket for him.
She continued, "Go home now. You'll catch a cold standing here for so long."
"None of your business." Harold pushed her away, returning the blanket she had brought.
He would rather freeze here alone than accept her kindness.
"If you don't want me to take care of you, then you should hurry home right now instead of standing here like an idiot! Do you really have to wait until you get a high fever and collapse before you'll let me call an ambulance and take you with me?" Isolde was so exasperated she wanted to slap some sense into him. He was bending over backward to please Desiree. But was she really worth it?
Harold completely ignored Isolde, turning his back on her and shutting her out.
Isolde knew nothing she said would change his mind. Left with no other option, she sent a text message. In less than half an hour, Ember showed up downstairs.
Seeing her, Harold was about to lose it. "Mom, you're not well. You just had surgery. How could you leave the hospital?" he said.
"It's a good thing I came. Who knows how long you'd stand here like an idiot if I hadn't? Harold, I'm seriously ill. Can you just give me some peace of mind?" Ember poked Harold's forehead, feeling disappointed in him.
If Desiree's family had been ordinary, she would have tried to buy her off. But Desiree was a Sandvik Family heiress.
No matter how much Ember tried, she couldn't mess with the Sandvik Family, so she had to focus on Harold. "I'm begging you, let me have some peace in my final days. Stop causing trouble. If you insist on staying here, I'll stay with you." Ember said as she took off her coat and handed it to Isolde.
She was only wearing a thin shirt underneath, which offered almost no protection against the wind in this weather.
Isolde tried to drape the coat over her shoulders, but Ember refused, "It's my fault as a mother for not raising Harold properly. I should be here with him. Why should I stay in the hospital enjoying good food and comfort?"
"Mom, don't do this. I beg you." Harold's eyes were numb, and his heart was filled with sorrow. Indeed, the greatest harm often came from those closest to him.
"Harold, I just want you to cut ties with Desiree completely. That's my dying wish. Can't you even fulfill that? Do you want me to die with regrets?" Ember pleaded, her body trembling with anger.
Harold quickly supported her, compromising once again. He said, "You just want me to go back with you. Fine, I agree."
"I knew you were a sensible child," Ember said, nodding with satisfaction.
As they got into the car, Ember suddenly felt a faint pain in her chest, but she didn't think much of it. She figured it was probably just because she was angry with Harold.
If Harold were standing there so late, Desiree would be so smug about it! Harold was truly disappointing.
On the way, Ember tried several times to talk to Harold, but he responded perfunctorily and eventually closed his eyes to avoid further conversation.
Ember didn't think much of it and didn't notice a tear falling from Harold's eye. That night, she slept soundly, while Harold sat by the hospital bed, his eyes wide open until dawn.
As the sunlight filtered through the curtains onto the bed, he stood up, looking at the still-sleeping Ember, feeling more and more puzzled.
How could a patient who just had surgery get out of bed and go out into the cold? Even if she didn't care about her health, what about Domingo?
In front of Harold, Domingo had given detailed instructions and described the condition as very serious. How could he then let Ember leave the hospital?
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