Whispers of Destiny: His Belated Love novel Chapter 171

Rosemary didn't see it coming; a casual question could tick him off: "Nope."

After Queena stepped out, it was Maxwell's turn. The results would take another two hours, so Rosemary went out to pick up Pearl.

Pearl had seen the news and, after getting Rosemary's address over the phone, rushed over.

"Seriously, he actually jumped into the lake?" Clutching Rosemary's hand and looking at Maxwell, who was feigning sleep with his eyes closed on the ER bed, she asked with a face full of worry, "Are the test results out yet? Is everything okay?"

Rosemary replied, "Still waiting on the results. Should be nothing major. Have a seat and don't fret."

Pearl blamed herself: "It's all my fault, blabbering nonsense during the festivities. As soon as Maxwell heard I said you were going to jump in the lake, he dashed to his car without even putting on his shoes to find you."

On the bed, Maxwell frowned slightly: "Mom..."

"You can't even let people talk about what you've done? If it wasn't for the fact that he was a patient, Pearl felt like slapping him, "And who was it that wanted me to call Rosemary to come over for the New Year?"

Maxwell hadn't spelled it out, but him, usually not a blabbermouth, suddenly spilling the beans about what happened in Havenfield was obviously a scheme to get her to invite Rosemary over.

Hmph, as if he could hide his little game from his mom?

Rosemary looked at Maxwell; he didn't say anything, just turned his head away. Was he agreeing, or just couldn't be bothered to waste time defending himself over such a silly topic?

Two hours later, Rosemary went to pick up the report, bumping into Queena at the restroom. Queena glanced at her, "Keep an eye on your boyfriend; the dude's got issues."

Rosemary had no intentions of rekindling things with Maxwell, but she had her principles. Hearing that, she scoffed, "So, I'm getting backstabbed for saving someone? Badmouthing a guy who risked his life to dive into a lake to rescue you; isn't that a bit low?"

"He didn't jump to save me; he thought I was someone else. Plus, he was trying to scam a hefty compensation from my folks. Don't you think that speaks volumes about his character?" Queena retorted unhappily, "I'm just giving you a heads-up, don't bite the hand that feeds you."

Rosemary's face was all sneers, "Don't worry, he's not interested in your little compensation. As for character, someone like you has no right to judge him."

Queena, her face turning red with anger, "You..."

Before she could finish, Rosemary breezed past her toward the report desk.

The report was clear; no need for hospitalization.

Rosemary declined Pearl's invitation to the old house and went home.

Yolanda's call came while she was soaking in a bath, engulfed by the scent of rose essential oil and the warm steam, nearly dozing off: "Rosemary, you sure pulled a stunt, pantsing Maxwell in front of the whole country."

Knowing she'd seen the news, Rosemary let her head hang over the tub edge, exasperated: "I was roped into it."

She gave a rough rundown of the events: "I was nearby, so I went to take a look. Who knew it'd be such a coincidence."

Yolanda couldn't stop laughing: "That's not coincidence, that's bad luck sticking to you like glue."

"..."

"By the way, weren't you staying in Havenfield for the New Year? Why the sudden return?"

Seeing Rosemary's confusion, Yolanda simply opened the car door, and Hogan, decked out in hiking gear, popped his head out, "Rosemary."

"I hung up last night and posted on Facebook about our trip to the next city. Right after I took your luggage down, there he was, waiting by my car," Yolanda gestured solemnly, "I fought him to keep him from getting in, but I lost."

Hogan smiled at Rosemary, "You promised to travel with me once, don't think you can bail on me now."

"When did I ever promise you that?"

Rosemary had no memory of it; he was obviously making it up.

"Was it sophomore or junior year?" Hogan couldn't quite remember, dismissing it with a wave, "I forgot, but we agreed back then to travel during summer break."

Rosemary rolled her eyes, "Wasn't that a school trip? Most of the class signed up."

"But now it's just you and me, right? If you can round them up, they're welcome too," Hogan stepped out and pulled her along, "I'm going nuts in the army, same routine every day. As a friend, what's wrong with taking me along on a trip? It's not like I'm bunking with you, and there'll be crowds at the attractions. Does my extra presence bother you that much? You can't leave me to wander alone during the New Year, can you?"

Rosemary was yanked along for a few steps before she finally managed to wriggle her hand free from his grip. "Fine, go ahead, be my chauffeur," she told him.

Hogan headed to the driver's seat, and Rosemary plopped down in the back with Yolanda. With someone else tagging along, Yolanda didn't pry into what had gone down back in Havenfield.

But when besties get together, even gossiping can turn into a full-blown gabfest.

Hogan glanced in the rearview mirror and caught sight of the two girls huddled up in the back, giggling over something on a phone, laughing their heads off. "Great, so I'm just the hired help, huh?" he muttered to himself.