Chapter 32
+25 BONUS
At that moment, the doctor walked in, carrying a medical tray. “Mr. Bamford Sr., there’s no need to worry. Mr. Bamford will wake up soon. It’s just a minor injury.”
Angela froze as the familiar voice reached her ears. Turning around, she was stunned to see Finn once again.
What was he doing here?
Fiona’s face twisted in shock and anger. “Dad, why is he here?” Her words were laced with unmistakable questioning.
Joseph was displeased. “Finn is the grandson of an old friend of mine, and he’s exceptionally skilled in medicine. I invited him to assist.”
Seeing Joseph openly defend Finn, Fiona had no choice but to suppress her frustration. She replied in a forced, calm voice, “Our family has no shortage of excellent doctors. There’s no need to ”
“Fiona,” Joseph interrupted before she could finish. “If work is keeping you busy, you can leave. Angle and I can take care of Dexter from here.” It was a thinly veiled dismissal.
Fiona’s expression froze. This wasn’t the first time Joseph had politely but firmly asked her to leave. Every encounter with him seemed to end this way.
She wondered what she’d done to sour her relationships with both Joseph and his wife, Natalie Green, who was convalescing at the courtyard house.
This lingering estrangement was a deep source of pain for her.
“Dad, I’ll stay a bit longer. Once Dexter wakes up, I’ll-”
Before she could finish, a female voice interrupted her, “Fiona, Dad’s only suggesting this for Dexter’s sake. It’d be awkward if he woke up to so many people around.”
Angela instinctively glanced at the door. A woman in a white dress and a matching tasseled shawl draped over her stepped in.
Angela recognized her immediately. It was Ursula Abbott–Dexter’s second aunt. She had a son and an adopted daughter.
Ursula was known for her harmonious marriage with Dexter’s second uncle, Miles. Her family had always been favored by Joseph.
Ursula carried an assortment of health supplements. Their luxurious packaging attested to their exorbitant price. Behind her trailed her 15–year–old daughter, Cecilia Bamford, a delicate beauty.
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Fiona snapped, her tone growing colder.
Chapter 32.
+25 BONUS
Seeing the lively and adorable Cecilia behind Ursula only made her more displeased.
Cecilia, seemingly frightened by Fiona’s cold expression, hid behind Ursula and said to Joseph, “Grandpa, Mom and I came to visit Dexter.”
Joseph, who adored his only granddaughter, nodded approvingly and gestured for Cecilia to set down the items Ursula was holding.
“Fiona, you’re a mother too. Dexter’s injured, yet you didn’t bring anything to show your care? You’re always wearing that cold expression, constantly finding fault with Angie, and giving her a hard time. No wonder you’ve stirred up trouble between this young couple.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter)