The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 209

Miles's voice grew tight. "Was her name Claire Jenner?"

"Yes, it was. Are the two of you talking about the same patient?"

"My wife has been obsessed with the silk embroidery Ms. Jenner sent over, and she insisted on tagging along with me."

...

Miles's mind buzzed with static.

Four days ago—long before the family banquet—Claire had already contacted Dr. Thorne and convinced him to fly over for the surgery.

She hadn't lied to him. He had completely misunderstood her.

"Miles? Are you still there?" Dr. Thorne's voice broke through. "Since it's the same patient, I'll just stick to the schedule I agreed on with Ms. Jenner. You can pick me up from the airport."

"Understood. Thank you, Professor."

When Miles returned to the room, Claire was still fast asleep.

He set his phone down, slipped carefully back into bed, and wrapped his arm around her waist from behind. The woman in his arms unconsciously snuggled closer, letting out a soft sigh.

Miles tightened his embrace.

If she hadn't risked everything just to manipulate him for Quinn, then why did she push herself so hard?

Could it be—was it really for him?

Miles closed his eyes, a bitter smile touching his lips.

The old him would have been ecstatic, but now, he refused to harbor any foolish hope that Claire could ever truly love him.

After all, he had harbored that hope for a decade.

Love or no love, it didn't matter anymore. As long as she stayed by his side, unable to run and unable to hide, that was enough.

The next morning, Claire slept until ten o'clock. Miles didn't wake her until the nurse came in to change her dressings.

He helped her sit up, carefully tucking a soft pillow behind her back before stepping aside to give the nurse room to work.

The two young nurses exchanged knowing looks. Given the atmosphere, Dr. Zimmerman had clearly spent the night in the VIP suite.

After her bandages were changed and she had eaten breakfast, Claire wanted to visit Quinn.

Miles helped her wash up, changed her clothes, lifted her into a wheelchair, and pushed her toward the inpatient ward.

Remembering his words from the night before, Claire turned her head to look at him. "I thought you said you were only staying for one night?"

He looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "I'm just fulfilling my duties as a husband."

"Well, Dr. Zimmerman, you're doing a spectacular job. You really know how to take care of someone."

Quinn's tone was heavy but composed.

"I had someone look into it. Victor is behind this. When Yvonne's acquisition failed, he resorted to playing dirty."

Claire instinctively defended him. "Miles had no idea about this. He doesn't get involved in the Zimmerman Group's affairs."

"I know that." Quinn glanced down at Claire's injured leg, then looked up at Miles with icy precision.

"The Zimmerman family is a swamp. If you can't protect someone, don't drag them down into the mud with you."

"Quinn—" Claire tried to interrupt.

Miles accepted the criticism in silence. What happened at the family banquet was indeed his oversight.

Quinn leaned back against the pillows, lifting her chin slightly.

"Julian and I brainstormed a few strategies. You should take a look."

Julian smoothly pulled a chair up next to Claire's wheelchair and pulled another file from his briefcase.

"Claire, take a look at the production recovery plan on page three..."

The two of them sat extremely close, discussing the details in hushed voices.

Miles's hands, hanging loosely at his sides, clenched into tight fists before slowly uncurling. He maintained a facade of total indifference.