Both Cordy and Sean stayed in Patrick's ward to keep him company.They both waited in silence for him to wake up.Then, after a long while, Patrick's eyelids seemed to twitch.Sean quickly noticed and straightened himself as he stared fixedly at the other man.Cordy sensed his reaction in turn and noticed that Patrick was showing signs of waking up as well.She quickly got up, leaned toward him, and whispered into his ear, "Are you awake, Patrick?"Patrick simply felt light-headed and opened his eyes with great difficulty to find his vision blurred.It took a while for him to focus and find Cordy.He tried to move but found himself very limp. Moreover, he barely moved when he winced in pain. "Oof.""Don't move!" Sean suddenly snapped, his voice stern.Patrick turned toward him.Cordy did the same and could not help telling him, "He just woke up, Sean, and he's hurt. Don't shout at him."Sean pursed his lips, but stayed silent.Patrick seemed to remember what happened jus
Nonetheless, Patrick refused. "You'll wear yourself out.""Not really.""Either way, you don't have to. Just keep me company, and I won't be bored," Patrick smiled.Cordy did not press the issue. "Alright. We can chat.""Yeah… About what?" Patrick asked."Anything you like," Cordy smiled faintly.Patrick felt like his heart could melt from her tenderness and suddenly felt the bullet he took was exceedingly worthwhile!"By the way, did you get John out? Is he alright?" Patrick asked.Cordy was silent for a while."Hold on, you didn't?" Patrick exclaimed in surprise.Reasonably speaking, Cordy and John would have left Lynd Manor before anyone else—Patrick was in turn delayed because he doubled back to help Sean."Sorry, but I lied to you." Cordy apologized sincerely then."You mean, you didn't get John out when I called you?""I didn't want you to get hurt."Patrick appeared a little upset at that, so Cordy quickly assured him, "But I'm alright, aren't I? I was just positiv
Cordy smiled faintly. "Really?""Well, he is impressive, so if he actually died…" Patrick continued and suddenly noticed the look of indifference on Cordy's face, adding, "It'd be a shame""You should be worried about yourself." Cordy smiled, though her tone was stern. "You're worried about others when you broke three ribs? The most important thing for you to do right now is to get better.""And once I'm better, will you marry me?" Patrick blurted.He was actually surprised himself when he said that—he had always wanted to marry Cordy, but never had the courage since he knew all too well that he was not all that important to her yet.At least not important enough to entrust the rest of her life with… Like a burglar, he had all the intention but not the courage.Even he had no idea how he managed to say that.In fact, he was panicking before Cordy responded. "I-I was just kidding. I'm not asking to offer yourself to me just because I saved your cousin—""Yes," Cordy suddenly sai
Sean slowly walked toward the ICU, where John was moved after surgery.His vitals were weak, and the doctors said that he would either live or never wake up.It all depended on the patient—his fate was now beyond the realm of medical knowledge.Sean quietly watched him, not quite able to describe how he felt.Perhaps he found it a waste—he had come to admire John a long time ago, as he genuinely found the man to be a genius. He really would have liked to work with John and even entrust him the future of the Cranstons.But now, he lay on the bed in the ICU ward, his fate unknown.Sean sighed—whatever happened to John now, there were things he must do for the man, such as bringing Richard over to keep him company.This might be the last time Richard got to see his father, after all.-Patrick stayed at the hospital for a week.Aside from the broken ribs, he had no other issues—his heart was fine too, which the doctors described as a blessing in disguise.Cordy stayed with him
Sean left John's ICU ward for the day and headed to Patrick's room, where Cordy was feeding him apples.He had a blissful, goofy smile on his face as he stared at Cordy, and Sean in turn smiled slightly, seemingly in blessing.As he entered, both of them turned toward him, with Cordy asking casually, "Is Dicky heading home?"She was naturally aware why Richard was frequently coming to the hospital."Yeah, I told him to head back to Cranston Hall—there's a limit to visiting hours, and he'd be idling staying here anyway," Sean said, before adding, "He'd be third-wheeling if he came here too."Cordy blushed a little, though Patrick was beaming. "He's too polite, honestly… We're family now. He would never be imposing."Sean was speechless. "Yes, you're family. So can I borrow Cordy for a moment?"Patrick was obviously reluctant, but Cordy already put the apple in his hand and said, "Eat it yourself."What…" Patrick was clearly upset, but he could only watch as Cordy walked toward S
Sean scooped Patrick out of bed in an instant, and Patrick glared so hard at the man his eyes were bulging. "What do you think you're doing?!""Toilet break.""The doctor said I shouldn't move! I can do it in bed!" Patrick exclaimed.Sean almost gave him a heart attack—how much strength did he have in his arms?! He was in his forties, but he could pick up another man so effortlessly!"Oh." Sean leaned over to carefully put Patrick back in bed.Even then, Patrick's heart was pounding.He was afraid to move an inch since it hurt to the bone, only for Sean to pick him up as soon as he arrived…He would have come to blows against the man if his bones had mended!That was when Sean saw the bedpan in the ward and brought it over, putting it beneath Patrick.Patrick really wanted to snap at Sean to go out already, but Sean simply moved up close and started to talk off his pants."What are you doing?!" Patrick quickly caught the elastic band of his pants—feeling almost violated jus
Eventually, Patrick growled unhappily, "I'm done."Sean slowly turned and picked up the bedpan Patrick had peed in as if it was natural, emptied it, and cleaned it up before returning it to the ward.After that, he returned to the washroom and washed his hands.It seemed like a deliberate gesture to Patrick, as if to convey his disdain.And when Sean was done, he simply sat on the couch nearby.Both men did not say a word, leaving the ward in deathly silence.Patrick suddenly found it uncomfortable. He decided to restrain himself and ask, "How's John?"Sean looked up at him, surprise showing in his eyes as he appeared caught off guard that Patrick would ask about John."Do I look that cold to you?" Patrick demanded right then."Nope." Sean smiled faintly. "Well, he's still comatose, and he suffered worse burns than when he was caught in that hotel fire. There's so much bandage around his face now he looks like a mummy."What the hell kind of a description was that?!Sean the
Patrick simply felt uncomfortable in many ways—he wanted a fight, but he had no proper excuse for one. However, while he was bristling from head to toe, he suddenly heard faint but regular snoring.He turned and was left even more infuriated to find Sean sound asleep.How heartless Sean was, falling asleep just like that?!He had a million different ways to start a fight in his mind, only for that buster to fall asleep…He had to take deep breaths, using every fiber of restraint he had to stop himself from jumping out of bed and kicking Sean squarely in the face!-In John's ICU, Cordy was sitting beside his bed.His whole body—especially his face—was covered in bandages, and there was no way to recognize him.However, that familiar presence of his was still there, and Cordy could not describe how she felt—but it mostly hurt.That was why she had to restrain herself for a long while before she could finally speak."John," she called out to him.Then, silence ensued—she sud
Soon, another nurse emerged from the delivery room with a small bundle. "Is the mother's family here?""Yes!" John exclaimed loudly."The delivery was successful," the nurse said. "The baby weighs eight pounds—""How is she?" John asked in agitation, not caring about the child."She's fine. The doctor is just helping her clean up and she'll be out soon," the nurse replied.As John breathed a sigh of relief, the nurse reminded him, "Aren't you the father? Here's your child."John took the baby off her arms, staring at her for a moment as the others flocked around him. "Oh, she's so fair!" Zoe could not help exclaiming. "That's the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""Are you saying that your son's ugly?" Bob teased."To be honest, yeah," Zoe replied without thinking.Jay cleared his throat—even if it was a subjective opinion, it still hurt to have his own baby called ugly."Let me carry her," Zoe volunteered just then, and John did not hesitate to hand her his baby.As Zoe
"What?!" Zoe exclaimed in shock.Beside them, John's face fell despite being usually stoic.Still, even before anyone could react, he scooped Cordy up in his arms and left.Zoe did not hesitate to follow, but Jay reminded her, "We're the hosts, Zoe.""Don't care." Zoe was completely unconcerned. "Ask my mom and your sister to handle the guests. I'm going with Cordy!"Jay hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow since there was no reasoning with Zoe.Sam and Quinn also realized that something was out of place.As they pulled away reluctantly, Bob shouted from below, "If you're done kissing, we're going to the hospital! Cordy's going into labor!"Quinn hurried after them as soon as she hurt, but Sam caught her. "Slow down. We can catch up."In fact, most of the guests were leaving as well—it was as if the banquet for Zoe's son was actually intended for everyone else.The poor boy was certainly unlucky to have such unreliable parents!-As everyone rushed to the hospit
"I'm swelling from my pregnancy," Quinn explained. "It's not your fault."Sam was left staring at her for a while before asking, "So, what should I do?""I'll put it on when I slim down.""Oh." Sam was a little disappointed, since he had always dreamed of having her put on the ring he had custom made.But this was fine—they had all the time they needed, and the most important thing for him is that Quinn was marrying him!He rose to his feet just then, and everyone was cheering as soon as he did. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"Quinn blushed right then, and Sam could see that she was embarrassed.He did not want to make things awkward for her, even if he was quite eager at the moment.Heaven knows how much he missed that night's drunken fumble they had. In fact, during the times he remembered it in dreams, he had to wash his pants when he woke up.Still, just as he took Quinn's hand and started to leave, he felt a softness on his lips—Quinn was kissing him! Sam's heart pounded thunderous
Everyone waited patiently for the final outcome.Quinn's eyes were welling up with tears, threatening to gush if she so much as blinked.She did her best to hold back her tears—to be strong!Sam pursed his lips in turn, his Adam's apple bobbing.A long while passed, and it felt like a century for Quinn when she finally heard him say, "Yes."Quinn's tears started falling in happiness as Sam declared loudly, "I'll marry you, Quinn—it's what I've always wanted to do! I won't let you go even if you regret it eventually! You only get to be with me, and I'll never let any other man claim you! I'll become very overbearing… eventually!""I won't regret it," Quinn said, determined.She certainly would not regret marrying him!Zoe walked up to them with perfect timing just then, and Sam did a double take.He finally remembered that Zoe was the host of this luncheon and was going to leave with Quinn when Zoe whipped out a small red velvet box."You know what's in here, don't you?" Zoe a
However, Sam had already pushed Quinn away before she could tell him. But even if he did not love her or did not want to be with her, she would never stay with Ryan.She had been disappointed in Sam, wondering why he would give up so easily.Was she that unimportant to him?Therefore, if it were not for Zoe and Cordy showing her that video or telling her so much, she would never have known that he loved her for years…Sam's heart ached even as he looked into Quinn's tearful eyes.He reached out a hand, but soon withdrew it—would he not burden her?Even so, it hurt to restrain himself as he watched her, and he was actually getting the feeling that Quinn loved him…But she already had Ryan's child…Well, he was fine with that, as long as the child was Quinn's.But would she not mind?"I will marry you, Sam," Quinn said slowly and clearly then. "Not because you're a good man, not because you prepared so much for me, and not because of how much you prepared for me, but because I
Everyone in the hall was staring at Sam and Quinn, while Quinn took center stage, staring fixedly at Sam.He stood in the middle of the crowd, watching her silently.She in turn felt fear that he would turn and leave, just as she did not know if she had the courage to stand before him again and to declare her feelings for him in front of so many others.Nonetheless, amid the deafening silence, Sam suddenly walked toward the stage.His pace was slow as if his feet were made of lead, but he was also unusually determined.Quinn's heart raced uncontrollably right then!Everyone else was watching them nervously, especially Cordy and Zoe, with the latter being especially concerned that the cowardly Sam would bail.Fortunately, he was a man who showed responsibility. He would not leave Quinn alone and embarrassed.Hence, as everyone looked on, Sam stood before Quinn, his gaze flickering as their eyes met.He gulped ever so slightly, his emotions clearly ruffled even as he did his bes
The guests were encouraging, loudly asking, "Why?!""Because of a woman," Sam's recording replied."Who is it?""Quinn Summer," the Sam on the screen said slowly and clearly, leaving the Sam who was in the hall stunned.What the hell?! That was the proposal video he prepared before! Why did it show up here? Did Zoe make a mistake?!He knew it—leave anything to Zoe, and she would mess it up!He started striding toward the stage, intent on stopping the recording, when John and Bob intercepted him with a look of utter guilt while the recording continued. "Quinn is my wife, and we've been married for years, but I've never really loved her—not because I don't, but because I'm afraid to. I feel too insignificant in comparison to the one she loves, so I'd always hurt her… painfully and childishly. I regret that so much now, Quinn. How could I have abandoned you for so long because of my own jealousy? I'd rather hold you in my sleep every night, but my damned pride denied me that for y
At the banquet hall, Jay and Zoe were thanking their guests with their children in their arms.Then, Zoe announced excitedly, "Please give my best friend, who is also my son's godmother, a warm applause as she comes on stage!"Sam stood at a corner of the hall, watching as Quinn walked up the stage, only realizing just then that her belly was clearly swelling despite her baggy clothes.Time flies—he had not left that long ago, but she and Ryan already had a child.She was not worried about giving him a stroke, was she?He watched as Quinn took the mic and looked around below searching, seemingly searching.After a while, he thought she was looking at him, but by the time he looked up, she had already turned away.Maybe she was looking for Ryan before remembering that Ryan was not there?Nonetheless, Quinn spoke into the mic, saying, "I'm honored to be chosen as the godmother to Zoe's son, and she's been saying he'd be engaged to my child if it's a girl. I already love my godson
As their eyes met, Sam turned frantic and averted his. "Of course.""Really?" Quinn asked."Would I lie to you?" Sam asked a little grumpily."And you didn't bring her back?" Quinn asked."I'm on a schedule, and it'd be taxing for her if I bought her along," Sam said, making things up as he went along. "I'll bring her along when things are less busy.""Is she pretty?" Quinn pressed."What, have I ever picked an ugly one?" Sam snorted smugly. "You know I prefer curvaceous types, and there are plenty of those abroad.""Do you have a photo?"Sam was silent for a while and eventually said, "Yeah.""Can I see it?""What, does she have to pass your assessment?""Just curious about the girl who can tempt you to settle down," Quinn replied. "You'd be humbled." Sam hastily came up with an excuse."I won't," Quinn said, determined."You'll see her when I bring her home." Sam refused nonetheless."I would like to see a photo now.""No, she's not that photogenic. It'd be slander a