Skipped At The Altar, Taken By His Uncle novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Samuel finally showed up at the hospital, running late at eight o’clock

Whitney had blocked his calls, so he had to ask around for a while before he finally learned his mom had been moved to the ICU on the sixteenth floor.

As soon as Samuel stepped out of the elevator, he caught sight of Whitney at the end of the hall, just stepping out of the doctor’s office.

Whitney, Samuel called out.

His voice carried clearly down the hall, not too loud, not too soft.

Whitney glanced up and saw Samuel striding toward her in a sharp suit.

Samuel was forty–five, but he kept himself looking sharp for his age, still making time for a weekly workout.

Whitney caught a glimpse of herself reflected in his eyes. There was a definite resemblance, just enough to be noticeable

she felt a wave of contempt.

Tina, though, loved to show off about how she was almost a spitting image of their dad.

Seriously, what’s so great about looking like a heartless jerk?‘ Whitney thought.

He reeked of alcohol.

His own mother was in surgery, and he was off entertaining clients with booze.

How could he even manage to drink with all this going on?‘ Whitney thought.

What’s with that look?” Samuel’s brows knitted in annoyance, as if he couldn’t understand why his daughter was giving hum uch an icy stare.

He was her father, the family head, and he wouldn’t stand for anyone in the family defying him.

Where is she? Which room is she in? I’m going to check on her,” Samuel said, his tone brisk as he strode forwarst

Whitney gave him a cold, indifferent smile. “Grandma had a stroke. She’s in the ICU

A stroke?” Samuel echoed, sounding genuinely surprised.

That’s really serious, Samuel thought.

‘Didn’t I tell you to call Laura? Why didn’t you?” Samuel asked, his tone sharp

Whitney shot him a cold, sideways glance “She and Grandma never got along You want Grandina dead, stop yine

“You!” Samuel was so furious that he could barely get the words out

“Which room is it? Take me in!” he demanded

Whitney gave him a look like he was totally clueless. “Don’t you even know ICU visiting hours are from hise to he

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Chapter 39

Samuel was totally shut down by Whitney’s comeback

It was already eight o’clock. Visiting hours had been over for ages

“So, did the doctor say anything about treatment? Is she even going to wake up? And if she does is she just going to be completely incapacitated?” Samuel asked, his voice cold and impatient.

Whitney slowly lifted her head, her bloodshot eyes locked onto him, cold and unyielding.

“Who even says something like that?” Whitney shot back, her voice tight with anger

“Dad, do you really not want Grandma to get better?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Samuel realized he’d gone too far with his words.

He cleared his throat, covering his mouth, and shot Whitney a glare. “She’s my mom! Why wouldn t I want her to get better? Whitney, do you even hear what you’re saying?” he said.

“Since we can’t visit her, just have the wedding as planned tomorrow,” Samuel said, his voice cold and dismissive

Whitney raised her arm in its sling, giving him a frosty look. “You really think I can get married like this

Samuel was totally spaced out, barely keeping up with what was happening around him.

What happened to your hand this time? You know tomorrow’s such an important day, and you still go and hurt yourself?” Samuel snapped, clearly annoyed.

Samuel gave her cast a look of disdain, saying, “Just take it off now. As long as you keep your arm down tomorrow nobody’s going to notice anyway.”

‘Suck it up until the wedding’s over. Then you can go get it re–cast,” he said, his voice cold and dismissive

Samuel’s words were so heartless that it was like he’d torn Whitney’s heart to shreds, leaving it riddled with bleeding hours

An icy wind seemed to howl right through those wounds, making the pain cut even deeper

‘So you really can’t wait to tie the knot with the Harris family, huh?” Whitney shot back, her voice y and dripping Contempt.

That’s right!” Samuel said, not missing a beat. “I need their money, their backing, and all the connections Thesis o

He laid his ambitions bare, not even trying to hide them from her.

If she agreed to marry into the Harris family without putting up a fight, that would be steal

But if she refused, he’d have ten bodyguards te her up and make sure she showed up at the wedding comics Com what

Whitney scoffed, her voice icy So now you’re the one begging m

The word “begging clearly rubbed Samuel the wrong way. but he just let it slide

“Whatever Call it begging if you want, he muttered, frustration bleeding into his tone

“Fine. I’ll show up tomorrow Just meet ne at the chapel I don’t need any of the shit before that Whitley and her super

cold and indifferent

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Chapter 39

Samuel paused and then nodded. “Alright. If you don’t want any of the pre–ceremony formalities Eller the Harrishamaliy

know”

The formalities were only there for show, and everyone understood that the banquet was the real event

When Klein got to the hospital, he found out they’d just left.

He asked the doctor a few quick questions and then peeked through the glass at Patricia.

He’d seen her just a few days ago, but now she looked totally lifeless, lying there without moving, hooked up to al co tubes.

Klein stood outside the hospital room and called his niece, Lena Harris, again.

‘Has anyone been to Harris Manor in the past couple of days?” he asked:

‘No, not that I know of. Uncle Klein, what’s going on?” Lena replied, sounding worried.

‘Alright, I got it,” Klein said.

Klein hung up the phone, his gaze dropping as he fell into deep thought.

Is she really still going to go through with this marriage?‘ Klein wondered, a knot forming in his chest.

I heard she got hurt in a car accident. Is she really okay?‘ he thought, worry gnawing at him.

Klein tugged at his tie, frustration bubbling up inside him. He wanted nothing more than to storm over to her place and demand to know what she was thinking.

But he knew he couldn’t. He had no right to question her.

As long as that wedding wasn’t called off, he’d not be able to do anything.

*****

When Samuel got home, Laura gave him a worried look.

Is she going to be alright?” Laura asked.

Samuel gave her a hard look. “Why didn’t you go to the hospital?”

It’s not like I didn’t want to go, but Whitney wouldn’t let me.” Laura said, sounding helpless

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