He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 63

Chapter 5

When she opened her eyes, Scarlett was in a hospital bed, her body aching like it had been hollowed out.

Cormac’s former assistant had stopped by the clinic to grab something and rushed her to the ER.

The nurse broke the news gently: the baby was lost. The doctor, reviewing her records, urged her to get the tumor surgery immediately.

He also ordered her to rest and avoid any more stress.

But Cormac? He never showed up. Not even a phone call.

Instead, her phone pinged with a post from Ruby. It was a photo of Cormac gently massaging her ankle.

[Can’t believe I’m pushing forty and finally found someone who treats me right.]

Cormac, who never commented on anything, replied: [Don’t say that. To me, you’ll always be a young girl.]

Ruby replied with a kissy face emoji.

Scarlett felt sick to her stomach. She touched her flat belly, the phantom pain tearing her heart in two.

She sobbed until her body convulsed, her heart turning numb, inch by inch.

“I’m sorry, baby… Mommy couldn’t protect you…”

Her cries echoed in the empty room, met with silence.

When she finally dragged her broken body home, she found Cormac sitting in the living room, looking gloomy.

Her slippers were missing from the entryway.

He glanced at the bloodstains on her dress, frowning with disgust.

“Scarlett, have some dignity. You leaked through your dress–change your clothes, it’s gross.”

Scarlett shook, but she just gave him a blank look and lowered her eyes.

She lost her child, and he thought she just had a messy period.

But the doctor said rage would feed the tumor. She didn’t want to get angry. She couldn’t afford to.

The next second, Ruby walked out of the kitchen–wearing Scarlett’s slippers–holding a fruit platter and smiling. “Ms. Flynn! You’re back? Have

some fruit.”

She spoke like she owned the place.

Before Scarlett could speak, Cormac cut in. “Ruby is filing for divorce. I got her a lawyer. Her place isn’t safe, so she’s staying here for a few days.”

Ruby immediately put on a pitiful face. “Don’t worry, Ms. Flynn. I won’t freeload. I used to be your maid, I’ll do it again for free.”

They looked at Scarlett in unison, waiting for her to bless this arrangement.

Chapter 5

Fighting the urge to slap Ruby across the face, Scarlett walked straight to the bedroom to pack.

“Scarlett, what is your problem?!”

Cormac followed her, his voice low and threatening,

“Ruby is sensitive. You walking around with that stone face makes her uncomfortable. She is my patient–can’t you just be inclusive for once?”

“Why should I welcome the woman who killed my child?”

“Stop the drama!” Cormac scowled, staring at the blood on her dress and crinkling his nose in disgust. “Go clean yourself up.”

Suddenly, Ruby screamed from the bathroom.

“AH! Doctor! I cut my finger!”

Cormac bolted instantly.

“You’re still recovering! Go rest, I’ll wash this.”

Ruby sounded deliberately humble. “No, no! I’m the maid, this is my job!”

“You are a patient first,” Cormac said, gentle but firm. “Go rest. Be a good girl.”

Scarlett stood at the door, stunned, watching Cormac roll up his sleeves to hand–wash Ruby’s panties.

Looking at his focused expression, he seemed like a stranger.

The man was a massive germaphobe. He’d sanitize his hands multiple times just after taking out the trash.

He treated her blood like toxic waste and would never touch her stained clothes.

But for Ruby? He’d carry her bloody body to the ER, ignore the gore, and scrub her underwear by hand.

He broke every rule and boundary for Ruby. Some “doctor–patient” relationship.

Scarlett smiled. It was uglier than crying.

She finished packing, pulled the divorce papers from her bag, and slapped them on the coffee table.

“Cormac. Divorce papers are on the table. Sign them.”

The words hit the room like a grenade.

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