But Laura was sure that no matter what game Diego was playing, he was up to no good.
Therefore, she would on no account allow him to look after her mother.
With that in mind, Laura rejected without hesitation, "No need. She's fine without you."
Diego's face fell at once.
"Laura, what did you just say! At the end of the day, she's my wife, and you're my daughter! Your mother and I haven't divorced yet. We're still married by law. As her lawful husband, I'm entitled to visit her when she is hospitalized."
Laura tilted her head and stared at Diego coldly.
A while later, she let out a sneer.
"Knock it off. You don't have to put on an act for me. My mother hasn't been well for years. She's been in and out of hospital at least eight times during this marriage. When have you ever cared to visit her in the hospital?"
"But now, you scampered over to show your care for her and volunteered to look after her after you learned that she's going to have surgery. Diego, what're you up to? Why not put all your cards on the table?"
"This way, at least we can have a fair negotiation. If your terms are not too demanding, I'll perhaps give you what you want. But you're asking to see my mother? Hell no!"
Diego's countenance altered the moment these words came out.
He leaped to his feet, glared at Laura, and bellowed, "Laura Davies, don't go too far! She's my wife! What right do you have to stop me from seeing her? I can see her if I want!"
Laura also stood up and gazed at him with a cold smile on her face.
"Your wife? Have you ever performed any duties as her husband over the years? Have you given her any help or taken care of her? Did you stay with her when she was ill or having a hard time?"
"No, you were never there for her! All you did was abuse her and ridicule her. You stole her hard-earned savings and lost them in gambling again and again. All you gave her was a broken heart and disappointment. How do you have the face to come to me and say that you're her husband?"
"Smack!"
A hard slap hit Laura's face as she said the last word.
Diego was shaking with fury.
He glowered at Laura, as though he wanted to shoot laser beams from his eyes and burn several holes in her body.
"How, how dare you! Do you really think you've all grown up and can teach me how to live my life instead? Today, I gotta..."
As he roared, he raised his arm again, ready to slap.
Right at this moment, Laura's phone rang.
The cheerful ringtone interrupted the bitterly hostile scene. Laura hurried to the coffee table and fetched her phone out of her purse.
The phone screen showed that the caller was Max.
All her grievances and fear seemed to have burst out at this moment.
Tears streamed down her face nonstop. She cast a backward glance at Diego and then answered the call without hesitation.
"Hello."
The moment she picked up the call, Diego opened his mouth as if wanting to stop her.
But it was too late.
Laura had pressed the "Accept" button and deliberately turned the speaker on.
Max's tender voice came from the other side of the line.
"Laura, have you turned in?"
Laura vigorously fought back her sobs. She put her fist into her mouth, trying to speak in her regular voice.
"Not yet. What's up?"
"Well..." Max said with a trace of pleased laughter. His voice was extremely sweet and tender.
"It's just that I miss you. I called you just to hear your voice. It's late. Go to bed."
Laura forced a smile, even though she knew Max couldn't see it. She muttered, "Yeah. You should rest, too."
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