Second Life New Choices novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The doctor chimed in, “There he is. You were the one who signed the informed consent form for the surgery, so I assume you must be her husband.

“Didn’t I tell you to keep watch over the patient all the time while she was unconscious? Why did you leave her side? Thank god nothing happened. Now you should settle the admission procedures.”

As he spoke, he handed Preston the admission slip and left the ward.

“He’s not my husband!” Even though the doctor had left, Jolene tried to explain.

For some reason, Preston felt uneasy. “Enough. I’ve taken you to the hospital, yet you’re still trying to play hard to get? You should know when to stop.”

He placed the bag he held on the table. Noticing the bandage on her head, he spoke in a gentler tone, saying, “The food’s still warm. You should eat it before it gets cold.”

Seeing the familiar logo, Jolene was stunned. In the past, she’d always lose her appetite whenever she fell sick. Then, Preston would travel miles to that very shop and line up for hours for their croissant just to cheer her up.

However, in both lives, he’d never been that gentle to her ever since he found out about the marriage arrangement.

Staring at the vapor clouding the inside of the bag, Jolene didn’t budge. Slowly, she closed her eyes.

Suddenly, she heard Preston’s hesitant voice. “About what happened yesterday, Simone didn’t do it on purpose. Don’t hold it against her.”

It turned out he was only doing this for Simone.

Opening her eyes, Jolene actually cried laughing. “Preston, that was intentional. I will make a police report so she gets the punishment she deserves!”

Preston’s expression darkened. Infuriated, he shouted, “I’ve bought you food and apologized on her behalf. Jolene, don’t take this too far!”

He couldn’t keep up with the pretense anymore. Jolene laughed at that realization. In silent protest, she stared at him with her reddened eyes.

Preston seemed to know how headstrong she was. After some time, he massaged his brow and sighed heavily. “If that’s the case, let’s both compromise. You’re just making a scene so that I marry you, right?

“In that case, the wedding shall go on. I’ll show up at the wedding our families are getting ready with, the one you long for. There, happy?”