Chapter 177 Not Like a Sister, But Like a Lover
Martin didn't give her a chance to escape, questioning every word, "So, is what Hunter said true? Are you really going to get engaged and marry him?"
Patricia felt that the matters between her and Hunter couldn't be explained in just a few words, and moreover, everything was premature without having cleared things up with Hunter first.
Seeing her still not responding, Martin grew impatient and urged, "Answer my question."
Patricia pulled her hand back and said indifferently, "I won't marry him."
That was her only answer. The rest, she wasn't ready to share with Martin yet.
This answer caused a surge of joy in Martin's heart, his previously tense facial features gradually softened as he smiled like a child, unable to hide his delight.
"I knew you wouldn't like him." He said.
Patricia rolled her eyes at him, "Now take me back to the restaurant."
The smile on Martin's face vanished in an instant, and he refused without hesitation, "No, I won’t..."
Before he could finish, his cell phone rang. He had two cell phones, one for work, and the other for family. As the names suggest, the work phone was used for job-related contacts.
The family phone number was only known to Alan, Patricia, Randy, and Charles! Wait, now there was one more person, Charlotte.
And right now, it was the family phone ringing.
Fearing that it was Randy trying to reach him, Martin didn't hesitate to pull out his phone and saw Charlotte's name flashing on the screen.
Patricia felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured on her, and with a hint of sarcasm remarked, "Your sister is calling you, you better answer quickly."
Although she knew that Charlotte and Martin were siblings, she just couldn't bring herself to like Charlotte. Something about her felt off.
Especially with what had happened that morning at the hospital; the deliberate provocation and framing.
That didn't seem like something a sister would do; it felt more like the actions of a rival in love.
Martin, not understanding the anger stemming from her, answered the call and held it up to his ear, "What’s the matter?"
From the other end came Charlotte's crying voice, "Martin, where are you right now? I... I..."
Hearing her shaky voice that seemed filled with fear, Martin's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Don't cry, tell me, what happened?"
Charlotte sobbed, "I... I just saw an old lady fall down on the street. I kindly helped her up, and then... then she accused me of knocking her down. She grabbed me and wouldn't let me go, demanding compensation. I... I was so scared..."
It turned out to be that incident.
Martin sighed with relief for no apparent reason and said, "Where are you now? I'll send Alan to you immediately."
Charlotte sniffled, her voice careful, "Martin, I'm scared. Can you... can you come and stay with me? There are so many people around me, just like when I was bullied at school."
Her simple words involuntarily conjured up images of Charlotte being bullied in school, igniting a wave of guilt in Martin.
"Alright, give me the address, and I'll be there right away."
Charlotte's tears turned to laughter as she gave Martin her location.
On the way back, Patricia remained silent. The atmosphere was oppressively somber.
Fearing that she might misunderstand, Martin emphasized repeatedly, "She really is my blood sister."
Listlessly, Patricia responded, "I know. I remember your grandparents mentioned that you have a sister named Charlotte. After your parents divorced, she went to live with your mother."
She wouldn't have recalled this person otherwise because his grandparents had only mentioned her once
While Martin was on the phone earlier, Patricia's memories had suddenly come to her.
Martin said, "So, don’t jump to conclusions! These past years have been rough for her, and it's a miracle she's come this far. The hardships she faced, they are my responsibility."
Patricia understood what Martin was referring to.
When Samuel and Martin's mother, Catherine, went through the divorce, Catherine wanted Martin, but since Martin was the elder grandson of the Langley family, they refused to let go.
Neither side would budge, leading to a bitter dispute.
In the end, it was Charlotte who willingly appeased Catherine, insisting on going with her mother, which put an end to the conflict.
It was precisely because of this that Martin blamed himself for Charlotte's suffering, felt guilty, and was determined to make amends. In truth, she could understand his feelings.
But for some reason, she just couldn't bring herself to like Charlotte. Maybe it was a woman's intuition.
She felt that there was something seriously wrong with Charlotte, but she couldn't quite put her finger it.
It wasn't her place to comment on matters between the siblings, Patricia knew. Her phone in her pocket 'dinged' with an alert, and she took it out.
To her surprise, there were five missed calls, all from Hunter. The message just now was also sent by Hunter.
"Patricia, where are you now? Has Martin harmed you? Why aren't you answering your phone? If you see this message, call me back as soon as possible. I'm really worried about you."
Seeing Patricia staring blankly at her phone, Martin glanced at the screen. Although he couldn't make out the contents, he was certain and asked, "Is it Hunter?"
Patricia did not answer him but dialed Hunter's number. The call was answered immediately.
Hunter's anxious voice came through, "Patricia, are you alright? I've been so worried. Has Martin done anything to you?"
The inside of the car was quiet. The two of them sat close together. His words were clearly heard by Martin, not missing a single one.
Martin’s grip on the steering wheel suddenly tightened, a sour feeling churning in his chest.
"I'm fine! I'm really sorry for leaving abruptly. Where are you now? I'll come and find you."
Hearing her last words, Martin slammed on the brakes hard. With a screech, the car stopped abruptly by the roadside, spinning half a circle on the spot; nearly sliding into the river due to the sudden and fierce stop.
Patricia was so frightened that it felt like her heart nearly stopped.
"Martin, have you lost your mind? Don't you know the roads are slippery because of the snow? Can't you slow down? I want to live even if you don't."
Over and over again. Is he trying to test the limits of her heart?
As if not hearing her, Martin grabbed the phone from her hand and ended the call without any explanation.
Patricia screamed in anger, “Martin, what are you doing?”
A chilling glint hid in Martin's obsidian-like pupils, "I won't allow you to meet him."
Patricia laughed mockingly, "You won't allow it? Who are you to me? Do you have a say in who I meet? I don't recall agreeing to a re-marry you, did I? Besides, even if we were remarried, I still have the right to make friends. You have no right to interfere."
Martin was so furious his teeth chattered. Everything was fine just a moment ago! Martin couldn't understand the drastic change in her attitude.
Patricia reached out towards him, pronouncing each word clearly, "Give—me—my—phone—back!"
Shaking with rage, Martin clenched the phone in his hand tighter and tighter, his knuckles turning white from the force.
The atmosphere grew tense to a breaking point. In the cramped space of the car, the silence was deafening.
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