Chapter 26
He said he would punish Clarissa severely to avenge both Layla and Daisy.
So, was this what he had meant by “severely punishing” her?
Layla scoffed. She should’ve known better than to believe anything Seth said.
Layla’s gaze locked onto Seth. “Mr. Parker, are you here to fight on behalf of your fiancée?”
“I’m asking why you’re at the hospital. What’s going on?” Seth replied, his voice steady.
“Where I go is none of your business,” Layla snapped.
Seth’s eyes lingered on her face. His voice dropped, tinged with concern. “Your face is still swollen. Didn’t you use the ointment I gave you?
He reached out, intending to check on her cheek, but Layla swatted his hand away.
“Seth, I told you before, I don’t want Stay away from me.” Layla retorted.
to be caught in Clarissa’s schemes because of you again.
Seth’s expression darkened. “Layla, I understand you’re upset, but please take good care of your health. You have a blood clotting disorder. If the swelling doesn’t subside, it could lead to bruising complications. At that point, ointment won’t help. Let me take you to a doctor.”
Before she could respond, he reached for her hand, trying to lead her away.
Layla yanked her arm back, her tone icy. “Seth, don’t you understand what I’m saying? Stay. Away. From. Me. Seeing you makes me sick.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked into a nearby ward, slamming the door
shut.
Seth stood there, staring at the closed door, his brows furrowed deeply. After a moment, he
called a nurse over.
“The patient in that room, what’s her name? What’s wrong with her?” Seth asked the nurse.
The nurse checked her clipboard. “Sylvia Lynn. She has a mild stomach ulcer. She’s just here for an IV treatment. She’ll be fine.”
Relief washed over Seth’s face. So, Layla wasn’t the one who was sick.
He turned and walked back to Clarissa, whose bandaged wrist was now soaked with fresh blood. His jaw tightened as frustration simmered within him.
“I told you not to mess with Layla again. Didn’t you understand me?” Seth demanded, his voice laced with frustration.
Clarissa stared at him, stunned. Instead of concern, she was met with his cold reprimand.
Her eyes welled up with tears. “Seth, it was Layla! She-”
Seth interrupted sharply, “Don’t. I know exactly what kind of person Layla is. Don’t even try to drive a wedge between us.”
Clarissa fought to defend herself, “Seth, why do you believe her and not me? Have you
forgotten who saved your life? I nearly died for you!”
Her words wrapped around him like a suffocating chain. Seth’s expression turned even colder.
“I wish I had died back then, so I wouldn’t owe you anything,” Seth said coldly.
With that, he turned and pushed open the door to the patient room, leaving Clarissa behind.
Seeing Seth’s grim expression, Jenna assumed he was concerned about his own injury and immediately tried to comfort him.
“Seth, don’t be so upset. It’s just a fractured tailbone. I’ll be fine after a few days of rest. But Clarissa… She cut her wrist with broken glass to protect me. Wait. Where is she?” Jenna looked around the room, frowning.
She’s fine. She won’t die because of that,” Seth said dismissively.
Jenna gasped at his callous tone. “Seth, how can you say that? If it weren’t for her shielding me, I could’ve suffered a concussion! You should be thanking her.”
As soon as she finished, they heard Clarissa’s sobbing from the hallway.
“Jenna, my wrist hurts!” Clarissa whimpered. She burst into the room, crying as she threw herself into Jenna’s arms.
Jour
Jenna looked at her bloodied wrist and gasped. “What happened to bandages? They were fine earlier. Why are you bleeding so much again?
Clarissa sniffled. “I ran into Layla. She’s still mad at me for taking Seth. She got a little rough, but it’s okay. I’ll just re–bandage it later.”
Hearing this, Jenna’s face flushed with anger. She roared, “Layla dared to lay her hands on someone from the Parker family? Where is she? I’ll deal with her
self!!
Seth’s expression grew darker with every word. He fixed Clarissa with a steely glare.
“Is lying your default mode now?” Seth asked.
Clarissa’s voice broke. “Seth, it’s true! She started it first!”
Seth snapped, “And if you hadn’t rallied other parents to cause trouble at the school, do you think she would’ve touched you?”
Clarissa’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She clutched her wrist, tears streaming silently down her face.
Jenna frowned, her voice softening in defense of Clarissa. “Seth, don’t blame her. Clarissa was just looking out for Ben. Layla’s heartless. Ignoring her son while doting only on her daughter.
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Seth’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. “You know damn well why she doesn’t care for Ben. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
Chapter 27
