Some weeks after, Angelina was discharged to go home. Due to Jasmine's nagging, Angelina had stayed long in the hospital to heal.
Angelina had been transferred to a VIP room, where Nathaniel stayed with her in her room, monitoring and doing his work. He only left her alone and went home whenever he needed to change his outfit or had an important conference. During that time, he and Angelina had a civilized conversation.
Just small talk like 'how are you today?', 'how is your work?', and so on. And Nathaniel had processed Angelina's schooling from home, and she didn't need to go to school to study. He didn't want her among people, and he wanted to hide her. And sometimes, during Angelina's classes listening to lectures or doing her assignments. He sometimes listened, helped her, and corrected her. He had a master's in business.
Angelina liked how it was now, and he didn't talk down to her anymore; whenever he went home to change, he always brought her favorite snacks. Sometimes, both of them would sit adjacent to each other as he worked on his business, Angelina on her assignments, their hands would graze one another, and the latter would blush and quickly remove her hand.
He'd apologize for what he did and promise to make it up to her and try to become a good husband. (AN: let's wait and see if he can - _-)
Jasmine and her husband visited every two days during her stay in the hospital, bringing homemade food, and all of them would eat and joke. Jasmine reprimanded Nathaniel a lot, telling him to learn from his father. He never once shouted at her nor raised his hand at her, no matter what she did.
Bell came twice to visit. The first time she arrived, she was crying, fretting over Angelina like a newborn, informing others that Angelina had never been to the hospital or gotten sick in the past four years she had known her. And she apologized for not being there. But that didn't mean she didn't scold Nathaniel's barbaric behavior at the cafe that day, where he messed up everything. And after that, both of them clicked, and she sprouted all Angelina's likes and dislikes to him. Then told him to take care of Angie.
The second time Bell visited, Nicholas came to see her. As Bell entered the hospital room and saw Nicholas, she hissed, rolling her eyes, then walked past him to Angelina's side. No matter how Nicholas tried to talk to her, Bell ignored him and chatted happily with her friend.
Something had happened between them; Angelina thought about looking for her friend. Bell rarely or doesn't ignore handsome men. She flirted with them a lot, but why— Angelina could not stop her curiosity and asked.
"What's up with you?" she asked as Bell choked on the juice she was drinking.
Bell turned her stern gaze at Nicholas swiftly before she smiled at her friend, "Nothing, Angie." she responded.
Nicholas smirked, "There's something big," he piped in, coming closer while Bell stood up to leave.
"You better shut your fucking mouth," Bell threatened, raising her brow while Nicholas put his hand in surrender.
"Is this how you talk to your boss?"
Angelina looked between them, then shook her head, "You are now working?"
"Yeah," Bell played with her fingers, "I'm currently working at a casino," she responded.
"You didn't tell her all."
"Well… we had a one night, and I rated his performance—"
"She rated a whole sex god — I, 7/10!" he sneered, "wrote it in a paper and left some slash of $50 for me!" he gritted angrily while bell shrugging her shoulders.
"Won't I pay you for your service?"
"What?!" Nathaniel, who was just arriving, heard, and full-blown laughter escaped his mouth, making Angelina's stomach warm. This was the first time she listened to his laughter. He either smirks or smiles. He was beautiful, and his face looked younger and carefree, and happy. Angelina smiled, looking at him warmly, imprinting his delighted face in her memories.
"Don't joke, bro," Nicholas warned.
"So, that upset him, and he found me working at his casino —"
"Is she the lady you were all going on a rampage to find?" Nathaniel asked while Nicholas nodded.
"Damn!"
Then Angelina zoned out; Bell and Nicholas had something going on. She could feel the link between them. Maybe they can become something in the nearest future. (An: and I can feel something cooking and brewing.)
Today is the discharge day. Angelina was released to go home; Jasmine had come early, helping with the packing of her stuff into the bag while Nathaniel went to take a wheelchair.
When he brought the wheelchair, Angelina looked at him dumbfounded, who wanted to use it as Nathaniel strode to her and put her on the chair.
"What are you doing?" Angelina protested.
"The doctor said not to stress yourself too much," he responded.
"But I'm already healed."
Nathaniel turned a deaf ear at her protest and wheeled her to the car. Jasmine opened the door as he carefully put her in gently, then returned the wheelchair.
Nathaniel drove home, with Jasmine doting on Angelina like a baby. When they reached home, Nathaniel carried Angelina in a bridal style and bit her lips nervously. Why was he doing this? As Nathaniel used a hand on the doorknob, opening it, a chorus of people made him some.
"Welcome back,"
Nicholas, Bell, Leonard, Ester, and some maids cheered while Angelina hid her face in Nathaniel's chest. She was shy. As they wanted to hover, Angelina and Nathaniel swiftly moved away and put her on the sofa. He reluctantly put her down.
"How are you?"
"Are you okay, ma'am?"
"I hope you—"
"Everybody shut the fuck up. You are giving her a headache," Nathaniel said, shooing them.
Then, everyone laughed and enjoyed themselves. When it was time to go home, Nicholas took the bell, and the maids returned to their residence, leaving Jasmine, Leo, Nathaniel, and Angelina.
"Son, let's take Angelina with us for now.
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"Son, let's take Angelina with us for now," Jasmine said, and everything became total silence. The joyous moment earlier became tense as Nathaniel scoffed darkly while Angelina's breathing hitched.
"I'll take care of Angelina in the meantime, and you can come to visit maybe by week—"
"Mom, can you hear what you are uttering?" he asked derisively, "You take my wife from me," he laughed.
Jasmine pinched the bridge of her nose, "I'm not saying forever or for the contract period," she sighed, "I said for the meantime."
"No fucking way," he responded immediately, "No fucking way, I'll leave my fucking wife!"
"Son!"
"Mom!" he yelled, standing in Angelina's front as a shield from his mother. His eyes changed. He looked at his mother like a predator who wanted to take his prey. "She's mine!"
"Nathaniel!" Leonard butted in, "Fucking respect your mom!"
"Then fucking tell her not to butt in in my life!"
"Son!"
Nathaniel could feel his heart rising in fear and anger, and they wanted to fucking take his wife away from him! His person! His hands were trembling, feeling a nasty fear creeping through his bloodstream.
"She's mine! Mine only!" his voice trembled a little.
Jasmine looked at her son and shook her head, "I'm not—" she face-palmed herself and turned to the person they were arguing over, even with Nathaniel blocking her from seeing her.
"Let's ask her if she wants to stay with you?" Jasmine said while Nathaniel felt nervous. Would she want to stay with him? He had abused her, hit her, and shouted at her. Well, even if she tried to leave, he wouldn't fucking allow it. He would chain her down because she's his! She can't fucking leave him.
Jasmine nudged him away, bending down while patting Angelina's hands, "Angelina," she called softly, "would you like to stay with me for some time?"
Angelina stared at Nathaniel's panicked face and felt a sting in her heart. She couldn't leave him, and during the past weeks, her likeness for him has been appreciated. And a woman never leaves her husband's house, no matter what! (AN: some people believe after a woman gets married, the husband's house becomes hers, and she can't leave no matter what. Biko 🙏 don't have this mentality, don't stay in any toxic relationship, and don't sacrifice your happiness for toxicity.)
She knew Jasmine liked her and wanted to take care of her, but she liked Nathaniel and wanted to help him. And she didn't want the lovely family to fall apart because of her. She can't follow Jasmine.
Angelina smiled at Jasmine, "thank you, ma'am, but I'd like to stay with my husband."
Jasmine's eyes flashed in shock before masking it, and she smiled cheerfully at her, "You are free to come to our place anytime. You are always welcome." Angelina nodded.
Jasmine stood, patting her knees, turning to Nathaniel, who had a mocking smirk on his face, "wipe that smirk before I help you with it!" she scolded, "And don't think because she said she's not interested that I can't convince her to," she mumbled.
Angelina saw Jasmine and her husband off to their car, but before Jasmine entered the car, she took Angelina to one and said, "Thank you for staying with him."
"Don't mention, ma'am."
"I know It is not so good of me to say this, and it's not proper for me to say this— but please don't leave my poor son. Always be with him. He likes you more than he thinks, and if you ever leave him, I don't think he could survive it."
She said, and the car drove off, leaving Angelina alone at the parking slot.