Noticing Gloria's suppressed emotions, Christine felt distressed.
Gloria continued, "They humiliated me and made me crawl on the ground and bark like a dog, and they scolded me with filthy words, but it was nothing compared to what I had been through. In prison, I was stripped naked and thrown into a cage. The high-pressure water gun was aimed directly at my naked body. So what? Christine, I went through unbearable pain. Mica died. She died to protect me. I owe her so much. Therefore, I must live and fulfill her unrealized dream."
Christine listened to Gloria's incoherent narrative and she vented years of grievances.
She spilled out the secret hidden in her heart.
Who was Mica? And what was her dream?
Although Christine did not know the answers, she could guess that Gloria considered Mica more important than her own life.
The sun went down, and the afterglow of the sunset shone into the ward.
Christine stood up and glanced at the bed as Gloria was asleep.
Christine didn't believe that Gloria would kill a person.
She heard gossip about Gloria from the call girls at the club.
They knew nothing about Gloria. She gave up her dignity not for money, but for freedom.
Patrick deprived Gloria of her freedom with money.
That sum of money was an astronomical figure for Gloria, and it was a shackle that bound her firmly.
It was getting dark. Christine returned to Fittro Club.
As she entered her office, she saw Patrick sitting in her chair and looking at her.
"Where is she?" asked Patrick.
"Mr. Hammond, who are you talking about?" Christine did not expect Patrick to be waiting for her in the office.
"Gloria. Where is she?"
Christine felt an urge of anger when she heard Patrick mention Gloria.
However, Patrick was powerful, so she wouldn't show her attitude.
Christine said reluctantly, "Gloria asked for leave today."
"Call her here," Patrick, sitting on the chair, said indifferently. "Who allowed her to take leave?"
Christine said through gritted teeth, "Mr. Hammond, Gloria is sick!"
"Do you have a problem with me?"
"No." Christine's expression changed. She quickly explained, "Gloria fell ill last night in the staff dormitory. If I hadn't checked on her, she would be dead by now. She had a fever for several days. The doctor said that she could be dead if she wasn't sent to the hospital on time."
Patrick felt annoyed. It turned out that Gloria was sick. Was that the reason why he suddenly felt weak?
However, he had rejected Gloria, so why was he still affected by her?
"I told you. Gloria is our mate. If she is dead, we will be weak as well." Leo's voice rang out in Patrick's mind.
Leo's voice sounded weak.
Patrick pondered silently for a few seconds before standing up.
Without saying a word, he walked out of the office. When he passed Christine, he asked, "Which hospital?"
Christine replied, "Gabbs Community Hospital, Room 302."
Christine looked at Patrick's back as he walked out. She suddenly said, "Mr. Hammond, I just came back from the hospital. When I left, she had just fallen asleep."
Christine meant to tell Patrick not to go and disturb Gloria.
"I will arrange today's work first and then bring some food to Gloria," Christine added.
Patrick had no intention of stopping. He ordered, "You don't have to go. I will get someone to bring her food."
Christine had a strange expression on her face while watching Patrick disappear around the corner.
After leaving Fittro Club, Patrick got into the car and made a call. "Sean, buy some food that suits patients and bring it to Room 302 at Gabbs Community Hospital."
"Who's sick?" Sean was a little surprised. Werewolves had a strong self-recovery ability, and they rarely needed to be hospitalized.
"Don't ask so much. Just do it," Patrick ordered on the phone. "Do it in half an hour."
"Fuck! Am I Superman? I can't fly." Sean cursed. He wanted to complain more to Patrick, but he had already hung up.
Shit!
Sean put on his clothes and ran downstairs.
As he went downstairs, he called a restaurant and ordered some soup. He said, "Yes, that's all. I'll pick it up in fifteen minutes. So, hurry."
Then, he hung up the phone and cursed Patrick again.
He wondered, 'Who was sick? Even Patrick was concerned."
Patrick walked into the ward where Gloria was in. Christine got her a private ward, and he nodded with satisfaction. Christine was thoughtful.
However, Christine didn't get a good room for Gloria because of Patrick.
Patrick walked toward the bedside with his slender legs and stared at Gloria. He was unaware of the complex emotions he was experiencing.
Patrick had never thought that a person would change so much after three years.
Gloria's once delicate face had become unrecognizable, and her skin was no longer as fair as before. Patrick looked closely and could still recognize the facial features of the past, but they were no longer the same.
The swollen eyes, messy eyebrows, dry lips, and rough skin...
It was only three years.
Gloria lay on the bed and moved slightly. She turned her head, and her bangs slid, revealing the scars on her forehead.
Patrick's eyes were sharp. He frowned and looked at the unsightly scar for a long time. He couldn't help but reach out his hand. Just as he touched the scar on Gloria's forehead, she woke up.
Gloria flinched in horror.
She thought, 'Why is he here? What does he want?'
Patrick looked displeased.
He thought, 'Why would she flinch?"
He didn't seem to believe it. He reached out to Gloria again.
All of a sudden, Gloria lifted the blanket and hid in it.