Anabel’s frustration continued to boil as she listened to Sylvester plead with her. After his selfish insistence on money despite everything she told him, it was almost unbearable to hear him suddenly act like he cared.
“No, Sylvester. I’m not telling you anything. You don’t deserve to know.” She kept her tone firm, refusing to listen to him.
“Anabel, please,” Sylvester begged with a softer tone. “I was wrong. I know I was wrong. I should have shown more concern. I should not have talked about the money after you told me everything. I wasn't in my right senses. I didn’t mean to seem so selfish. Understand me.” He finished, and Anabel scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.
“You did mean to be selfish,” she shot back. “That’s who you are, Sylvester. You didn’t even hesitate before bringing up the money again. What kind of person hears that their girlfriend’s father is dying and continues to ask about money and promises?”
Sylvester sighed deeply, seeing that she took it really seriously. “I know. And I regret that. I really do. But that’s not why I’m asking you now. I need to come. I need to be there for you.”
“Why do you need to come?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Because I care about you. I always care. Don't let this bring disagreement between us. You are going through so much right now, and I should be supportive, more than how you were supportive when Vanessa was in the hospital. I wasn’t being reasonable. But I promise you, I am reasonable now. Just tell me where you are. I need to see you and your father.” He begged but Anabel hesitated in silence. She was still angry with him.
Without hearing any response from Anabel, he continued to press on. “Anabel, please. I’m begging you. I won’t talk about money, I swear. I just want to be there for you. Let me come.”
She clenched her jaw, indecision flickering in her mind. She wanted to keep refusing. To shut him out. To remind herself that Desmond had warned her about this—that Sylvester wasn’t what he seemed. But at the same time, maybe she wanted to still keep him. It won't spoil anything. She will still verify later. She took a long, slow breath before finally saying, “Fine.”
Sylvester exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”
“We are at Skylife Hospital,” she said stiffly. “Come if you want. And if you come, just know that you are my friend. My brother and my mom are here. They don't know I have a boyfriend. Just introduce yourself as my friend.” With that, she ended the call before Sylvester could say another word.
Sliding her phone back into her pocket, she took another deep breath, trying to push the conversation out of her mind. Her father was the priority now. Everything else—including Sylvester—doesn't matter.
She straightened her shoulders, and she walked back into the room, where her mother and brother were waiting.
.
.
IN SYLVESTER'S HOUSE
..
..
Sylvester was sitting on the edge of the bed while he was answering the call. Just as the call ended, Vanessa, who was lying behind him, spoke up, "So you are going to see her father?"
"Yes, of course." He replied.
"But this was not what we discussed. You said you would call her and remind her about the money. Now you are planning to visit her father in the hospital."
"But I need to go. You heard what she said. She said that her father is dying." He replied, and Vanessa's expression changed instantly. “And so?” she demanded, pushing herself upright. “Why would you go now? Are you a doctor? Besides, isn't her father old enough to die?”