Chapter 9

I stayed in the hospital until Kourtney woke up. She looked up at me with parted lips, but she couldn't utter a word as her throat was parched. I dipped a cotton swab in some water and gently moistened her lips. I softly said, "Your body is still very weak. It's not a good time to talk now—you need to get some rest. But don't worry, there won't be any lasting effects on you." Kourtney's eyes were bright and clear, especially when the sunlight hit them, casting a glow that was impossible to look away from. As she couldn't speak, she only managed to nod. I nodded in return before calling a nurse over. I then went over a long list of instructions with Nora Whitley. She couldn't hold it back anymore and teased, "You've been instructing me the same things since yesterday, Dr. Ranford. My ears are about to bleed. You don't have to be so anxious, I know what to do. It feels like she's your wife with the way you're fussing over her." I looked at Nora seriously. "Don't make jokes like that. It's not good for Ms. Gomez's reputation." She immediately stopped talking. I then glanced over at Kourtney. "Get some rest. I'll take my leave for now." As I was leaving, I heard Nora whispering to her, "Dr. Ranford stayed by your side for the entire night." I turned around at the same time Kourtney happened to look at me. Our gazes met, and she flashed me a bright smile. I was momentarily left in a daze. But the next minute, a sharp, angry voice sounded. "So, this is why you refused to marry me, Jace!" I frowned, turning toward the newcomer. "What are you doing here?" Hadn't I made things clear enough with Casey previously? Yet, she actually stormed into the hospital and even into Kourtney's ward. Casey glared at Kourtney. "You must have cheated on me with this woman. That's why you suddenly wanted to break up with me! We're about to get married! How could you do this to me?" "What nonsense are you spouting? This is a hospital, and she's my patient. Stop causing a scene here, Casey!" I said, suppressing my anger. Kourtney had just finished her surgery. With the way Casey was causing a scene, if Kourtney were to get upset and something happened, it could affect her for the rest of her life. Casey spat, "I'm causing a scene here? Then tell me—why did you not come back when I've waited for you at your place the entire night? Isn't it because you were with her?" She pointed at Kourtney, losing her usual composure as she screamed like a madwoman, "He's my boyfriend! Who do you think you are, trying to steal him away from me?" Kourtney's face paled as she shook her head repeatedly, tears glistening in her eyes. She parted her lips but couldn't speak. She helplessly looked at me with reddening eyes. I couldn't bear watching her like that and grabbed Casey's arm. "Stop causing a scene here and come with me!" "I won't leave unless you agree to marry me!" Casey struggled to get away from me. It was my first time seeing her being this unreasonable. It only fueled my disgust for her even more. "You just wanted to get married, didn't you?" An idea started to form in my mind, one that could stop Casey from tormenting Kourtney further and, at the same time, plot my revenge against her. "That's right!" she replied. I said, "Fine, let's proceed with the wedding. Are you happy now?" Casey finally smiled. "You should've agreed earlier. Why wait until now to do so?" She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and glanced at Kourtney smugly. Kourtney's face was pale as she held her tears back. Casey said, "I'll wait for you at the wedding venue."