Love My Friends with Benefits novel Chapter 39

Phoebe lowered her voice even more and said, "For instance, we can get someone to..."

She was speaking so softly that I couldn't hear her even after getting as close to them as I could.

When Phoebe was done, Gail clapped her hands approvingly. "You're right, Phoebe. Why didn't I think of that?"

...

Phoebe smiled serenely, looking pleased.

Gail rubbed her hands together. "I have some connections who know people in the underworld. I'll ask them to deal with Queena."

Connections with the underworld? Deal with me?

I couldn't help feeling anxious and doubtful at their words. I carefully walked away when I saw that they were almost done.

Around ten to three, I saw Leonard's car arrive at the hospital.

Bell and his family quickly appeared at the entrance, looking delighted. I could even sense their excitement from several metres away from them.

Leonard got out of the car and said a few words to them before getting back in the car.

The Jones family got into his car, Phoebe climbing into the passenger seat bashfully.

I rubbed my jaw.

Was Phoebe pretending to be bashful despite her obvious intentions?

Once Leonard's car disappeared from sight, I headed to the ICU as quickly as I could.

There was a nurse in there with Aunt Nancy. It was the one from the day before who'd said that Grandma didn't have long to go.

With a sliver of hope, I asked her, "Is my grandmother doing better?"

The nurse pulled me out of the ward, then nodded. However, she also shook her head.

I felt a little anxious. "What does that mean?"

"Her condition has indeed improved, but it's only because we plied her with medication. She doesn't have a strong foundation, and I don't know how long she'll be able to hold on like this..." the nurse trailed off.

I lost my composure and grabbed the nurse by her uniform. "Please, save my grandmother! I'll pay for any bills regardless of the amount!"

She looked at me sympathetically. "Miss, it's not about money..."

"Queena, come back here." Aunt Nancy's voice rang out from the door. "Don't make things hard for her."

I turned around, feeling like I'd been shocked by electricity. Aunt Nancy stood there, looking tearful.

"But..." I refused to give up.

"We all know exactly how your grandmother's doing." Aunt Nancy walked up to me and pulled me away from the nurse. "There's no use pushing the doctors and nurses. It's her destiny."

I couldn't help bursting into tears.

There was no way I could accept this. Was it part of Grandma's destiny to be on the receiving end of Gail's malice?

The nurse hurried away to another ward once she was free of my clutches.

Aunt Nancy held my hand and led me back to Grandma's ward.

Grandma was still asleep. Aunt Nancy and I sat down on the cot together, and she asked me sternly, "Queena, tell me the truth."

...

I didn't understand what she was talking about.

Aunt Nancy hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you... do you owe someone a favour?"

I was stunned. "Huh?"

"Queena, don't lie to me." Aunt Nancy's tone was grim. "The moment Leonard's gotten Bell and his family to leave, you show up. This has happened two days in a row now."

I was tongue-tied, not knowing how to refute her.

All I'd thought about was seeing Grandma. I hadn't expected Aunt Nancy to see through me. Then again, I'd shown up so coincidentally two days in a row, and I hadn't even bothered to conceal anything. How could Aunt Nancy miss this?

However, I couldn't admit to having a deal with Leonard.

I tried to look as natural as possible. "It's just a coincidence."