When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 119

**Chapter 119**

Chiara felt a wave of reluctance wash over her as she stood at the threshold, her eyes narrowing at Marcus, silently communicating her disapproval.

“Grandpa, why not just let the nurse handle it?” she implored, her voice tinged with frustration.

Marcus chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I simply want my granddaughter to fetch me some water,” he replied, his tone light yet earnest.

Chiara cast a sidelong glance at Titus, her chin lifting defiantly as she cleared her throat, preparing to make her point.

“Grandpa, your sweet words don’t work on me anymore,” she declared, her voice firm.

For a fleeting moment, Marcus was taken aback, his usual banter momentarily lost. He exchanged a knowing look with Titus, then coughed lightly, as if to regain his composure.

Titus raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. “Could you call for the doctor? I have some questions about his condition,” he suggested, his tone serious.

Chiara, caught off guard, shot them both a look of incredulity. “So, you’re trying to keep me out of the loop, huh?” she challenged, crossing her arms.

Neither man offered a response, their silence only fueling her irritation. A dry laugh escaped her lips as she rolled her eyes, grabbed the kettle, and made her way out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.

Marcus sighed deeply, turning his attention back to Titus, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “Titus…” he began, his expression softening.

“Go ahead,” Titus encouraged, leaning in slightly.

“How are things between you and Chiara these days?” Marcus asked, his gaze earnest.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I promised to protect her, and I intend to keep that promise,” Titus replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

Marcus nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. He glanced at the door, then cleared his throat, shifting the conversation. “Titus, do you have any cigarettes on you?” he inquired, a hint of mischief in his tone.

Titus raised an eyebrow, finally understanding Marcus’s motives for wanting Chiara out of the room. “Can you even smoke right now?” he asked, half-jokingly.

“Yeah, but I can’t have too many. I asked the doctor, I swear. Just let me sneak one, just one,” Marcus pleaded, a grin spreading across his face.

In his younger days, Marcus had been a chain smoker, but health issues had long kept him from indulging in cigarettes and alcohol.

“Fine, I’ve got some, but if Chiara catches me…” Titus muttered, hesitant.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll smoke by the window, real quick. Just keep an eye on the door for me,” Marcus said, a sly grin on his face.

Reluctantly, Titus lit one up for Marcus. Leaning against the bed, Marcus took quick puffs, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds, clearly enjoying the forbidden thrill.

Titus couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ll keep watch for you, don’t worry,” he reassured, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Alright, alright…” Marcus grinned, taking another quick drag.

The water room was located at the end of the hallway, and Chiara found herself waiting impatiently as the sign indicated another three minutes. She plopped down in a chair, boredom creeping in as she tapped her foot, counting the seconds.

When she finally returned with the kettle filled, a good five or six minutes had passed. To her surprise, Marcus was lying back in bed, appearing completely nonchalant, as if nothing had transpired.

However, the moment Chiara pushed the door open, the unmistakable scent of smoke hit her, and she shot a glare at Titus, annoyance flaring. “Did you smoke in here?” she demanded, hands on her hips.

Marcus quickly cleared his throat, attempting to defuse the situation. “No, he smoked in the bathroom,” he said, his voice steady.

Chiara raised an eyebrow, skepticism evident. “Really?” she questioned, unconvinced.

She set the kettle down with a huff, crossing her arms. “Grandpa, do you want to come home with us? I just ran into your doctor, and he said you’re recovering well. You can rest at home and just come back for regular check-ups,” Chiara suggested, her voice filled with hope.

Marcus waved his hand dismissively, a smile playing on his lips. “Nah, I’m used to living here. This room has everything I need; nothing’s missing. I don’t want to intrude on you lovebirds,” he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Chiara pondered for a moment before proposing, “How about you come back to the Lynch residence?”

“No need for that. Your sister has enough on her plate with the company. If I went back, she’d just worry about me all the time. It’s better if I stay here; you two can relax knowing I’m in good hands,” Marcus explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

Chiara couldn’t deny the truth in his words. With Marcus in the hospital, both she and her sister could finally breathe a little easier.

If a patient can’t feel safe in a hospital, then where else could they find solace?

“Alright, how about I come pick you up this weekend so you can spend a couple of nights at home with us?” Chiara suggested, her eyes brightening at the thought.

Marcus looked as if he might refuse, but Titus interjected, “Marcus, I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up on Saturday and bring you home for the weekend.”

Chiara shot Titus a grateful glance before turning back to Marcus, who surveyed the two of them thoughtfully before finally smiling and nodding.

“Alright, I’ll come home every Sunday,” Marcus conceded, his expression warm.

“Great!” Chiara beamed, tucking the blanket around him with care.

“It’s getting late, Grandpa. We should head out now. I’ll come see you again soon,” Chiara said, her voice softening.

Marcus waved his hand dismissively, a fond smile on his face. “You girls don’t need to keep running around for me. Just call if you want,” he replied.

Chiara squeezed his hand gently, her heart swelling with affection. “Make sure you get some rest, Grandpa.”

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