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
Patrick huffed. "Why would I argue with him?"His tone was hostile, but he was keeping his voice down anyway, perhaps worried about waking Sean up.Cordy smiled, but she refrained from exposing the man.Patrick had his ego, and she did not want to make things awkward for him. She brought a blanket for Sean and gently laid it over him—Sean was always a light sleeper, and even if she was careful, he would have woken up on any other day.But this time, he was still sleeping soundly.Had he been busy? Probably.After all, there was a lot to do in the Cranston family right now, and there were occasionally family members who would add to his troubles. Sean, who had to shoulder everything by himself, was definitely under considerable stress.After tucking in Sean, Cordy returned to Patrick and asked, "Aren't you going to sleep?""No way. I've been sleeping all day every day for days, and I can't sleep at all now," Patrick grumbled. "Did the doctors mention when I could get out of
And yet, Patrick suddenly flinched, catching her off guard."H-He…" He pointed behind Cordy through the pain, and Cordy turned to find that Sean had woken up.Patrick really gave her such a scare, and she almost thought he saw a ghost!Taking a deep breath, she asked, "You were awake?""Just woke up." Sean nodded calmly, appearing more composed than the couple before him. "I didn't mean to interrupt.""No, you did!" Patrick snapped, unable to control himself just then. "You really want to ruin everything for me, don't you?! It took me so much to muster my courage and kiss Cordy, but you had to mess with us!"Though Patrick was furious beyond words, Sean stayed calm and said, "Then I'll leave. You can continue."With that, he headed straight out of the room as Patrick glared furiously.It left Patrick taken aback, though Cordy felt a little awkward too, and they were left staring at each other in silence until Cordy asked, "So? Do we continue?"Patrick gulped—he certainly wante
Sean joked, "Congratulations on not dying."John smiled in turn. He then rasped, speaking with such difficulty as if his throat was dead, "Thanks. Though it seems my luck has run its course too."Sean naturally knew what John was referring to.Cordy was getting married, after all—he was going to lose her.After having done so much, he would be lying if he said he did not do it for Cordy."Patrick's a good man," Sean said. "It's no issue leaving Cordy and Dicky in his care."John's smile broadened—leaving his son and beloved woman in another man's care was no issue? It was true that a man like Patrick would never allow Cordy to be hurt again or his son to be bullied.And their lives might just be good with him.Even so, that was his son and beloved woman they were talking about… and Sean was telling him to give up before he did anything regardless!"Take your time and get some proper rest. You might be able to get out of bed in time to attend Cordy's wedding," Sean added wi
Cordy asked, "By the way, how's Grandfather?"Jesse had been unconscious for so long that the chances of him regaining consciousness were dwindling further."Same old." Sean sighed. "The doctors said that there's not much hope at this point.""What about the family?" Cordy asked worriedly."I'll keep things together for now," Sean said wearily."I thought you're reluctant.""Well, I have no choice when there's no one in the family who's up to task." Sean sighed. "Also, you don't have to worry about me—just keep Patrick company and nurse him. Anything else can wait."Cordy nodded."I'm going now. Call me if anything comes up," Sean said."Yeah. See you."Sean nodded and left.Cordy turned and started to return to Patrick's room.However, she paused for a moment before heading straight there.Patrick was staying in bed, bored, and exclaimed in surprise when he saw her, "Back so soon?""I was just seeing Sean out.""I thought you'd…" Patrick trailed off, hesitant.Cordy, h