Chapter 4

4: 4

4

At the hospital, Bryan gripped my arm and wouldn't let go.

"Queenie, I hate the smell of hospitals. You have to stay with me."

He was dead set on keeping me from that bidding meeting.

The doctor set him up on an IV and scolded him while he was at it.

"You know you have stomach trouble. Why on earth would you eat that much cold stuff?"

"You really don't take care of yourself."

"And you, as his wife, come on. You should keep an eye on your husband."

After that round of lecturing, I took Bryan off to get his IV.

Even then, I never let go of my handbag.

"Bryan, I called Mom. She's coming to sit with you."

"Once she's here, I'll go."

At that, Bryan lifted his head and glanced at the hospital's big display screen. He was checking the time.

An hour left before the bidding meeting started.

From the hospital to the venue was only a twenty-minute drive.

"Queenie, I just want you here with me. You're my wife."

Bryan sounded weak, but his eyes were set.

His phone buzzed in my hand.

I glanced at it. A message from Maud.

【Bryan, I'm already at the venue. Once I win the bid, let's celebrate together.】

My hand paused. I pretended I hadn't seen a thing and handed the phone back to him.

"Your phone buzzed just now, I think."

Bryan took it, and shot me a guilty look.

Right then, my mother came hurrying in.

"Bryan, are you all right?"

"Queenie, weren't you supposed to be at a bidding meeting today? Go, quick."

I nodded and got ready to leave.

But Bryan suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Queenie, don't go. Stay here."

"Is a bidding meeting really more important than me?"

"There'll be other projects for you down the road."

"If you insist on going today, then I'll know you don't care about me at all."

"And there's no real point in this marriage continuing."

Bryan's expression was strangely firm, his lashes trembling.

I let out a helpless sigh.

"Fine, Bryan. I'll stay with you."

For the rest of the time he kept a tight hold on my hand and wouldn't let go, terrified I'd leave.

The moment the bidding meeting's end time arrived, Bryan breathed out and his whole body loosened.

I got a message from Fern.

【Ms. Fox, we won the bid.】

Bryan's phone started buzzing like mad. It was Maud calling.

He tugged a smile onto his lips and answered.