5. New Beginnings

After Beatrice and Mateo talked, he immediately ordered Amadeus, his butler, to pay for David Lichter’s hospital bill. That night, David was sent to BMH and started his operation immediately. The surgery will be a long operation. It will take up to twelve hours. 

“Thank you, Mister. My husband will live!” Veronica said with tears in her eyes. 

Amadeus smiled. “You should thank your daughter.” 

Beatrice looked away. “I-I’ll go to the cafeteria.” 

“Hmph! Yes. You should. Bring mother some coffee!” Clementine's second. 

“Ah, you don’t have to, Miss Lichter. We have already provided a room for your family. You can rest there, Mrs. Lichter. As you wait for your husband,” Amadeus interrupted. 

BMH was not just a hospital. It also had hotel-like rooms for very important people waiting for their sick family. Having this, families are one building away from their loved ones. 

Clementine raised her eyebrows. She never liked it when someone was favoring Beatrice. Veronica noticed it and she stopped her. Clementine crossed her arms and looked hard at Beatrice. 

“You nice man of you, Mister. We will go there,” Veronica said. 

Amadeus bowed. “I must go now, Mrs. Lichter.” He looked at Beatrice. “Miss Lichter. I will accompany you first to your room here before I go.” 

“Me?” 

“Yes. The master asked you to have your own room. It’s on the top floor of this hospital.” 

Beatrice's eyes widened in shock. She just wanted some air away from her stepmother and stepsister. But she can wait outside the surgery room and sleep on the waiting chairs. 

Veronica gasped. “What?! Where will you put us? Why are you not accompanying us too?” she blurted. Then she glared at Beatrice too. She cannot believe the butler of Mr. Bruce himself favored Beatrice that much. It should be them that they are taking care of. 

“Mr. Bruce wanted me to take care of everything for Miss Lichter. Some staff will come here to guide you.” 

“No! You should accompany us! Not her!” Veronica added. 

Amadeus was confused but he managed to keep himself. He could see the jealousy in their eyes as they looked at Beatrice. He shook his head silently. Thinking how they'd been unfair to her because Beatrice was just looking down. 

“Y-Yes,” Beatrice said and looked at Amadeus. “I’m okay. I can manage myself.” She forced a smile.

“I am sorry. But this was an order that came from my master. I cannot disobey his words.” Amadeus then pointed his hands. “If you please?” 

Beatrice was hesitant. She looked at her stepmother and stepsister who were already glaring at her. She could feel their sharp looks at her, so she immediately looked away. This was not much like Mateo's. She could take their glares at her. But she doesn’t want to disobey him again. 

“O-Okay.” 

“Thank you.” 

Beatrice started walking. She tried to relax even though she could hear their words. 

“Mom! Do something! Why are they favoring her?!” Clementine cried like a teen. 

“No. Let her be. We cannot spoil this night for your father. I will talk with Mr. Bruce myself when we see him,” Veronica answered. 

Beatrice heard it but she tried not to look at them anymore. They had been like this to her since they all lived together. Even her own father always favored them over her. She doesn’t know why. But she always felt she was not part of the family. 

They went to the next building using the bridge connecting the hospital. Beatrice oversaw the lights of the city as they walked to the next building. Then they entered an elevator. Beatrice was quiet until they reached the room. 

Beatrice couldn’t help but be amazed when they entered a big two-door room. There was a bed in the center with a fine bedsheet. A big window on the side and her own bathroom. It even had a big television in front of the bed. 

“You can stay here, Miss Lichter. Your personal nurse and doctor will come here to examine you. You will also have your personal assistant to assist you with everything you need,” Amadeus said. 

“What? Why would I need a nurse and a doctor?” 

“You also got in an accident. The master wanted to make sure that you were okay.” 

Beatrice was stunned. She never had this kind of treatment from anyone. Yes, they had maids. But she could be compared to them whenever her stepmother was at their house. 

“B-But I’m okay. I just need a rest.” 

“No, Miss Lichter. I must go now. Please wait for them.”

Amadeus bowed and then went out of the room. Beatrice was left inside the room still amazed and hesitant. But what can she do? She went to bed and laid her tired body there. 

‘Father, I hope you are doing okay now. I will be waiting for your recovery.’

Not long had passed. Her room opened and a nurse and a doctor came in. They checked up on Beatrice and examined her. She was okay except for some bruises on her body. Then they left. The next one came were two staff who brought her meal and new clothes. Beatrice suddenly felt she was like a princess. But she knew that it would not always be like that. 

Beatrice was already lying on her bed. Her room was already dark and only the lampshade on her side was open. She was trying to sleep but she kept on thinking about her father. When he followed her, he was begging her not to go because of her mother. His father doesn’t want to marry her to a stranger. But he doesn’t have a choice because their resort was almost bankrupt and their house will be loaned by the bank. He doesn’t want their house to be taken away from them because his mother’s memories are there too. Well, her father was a good man. Beatrice could see that he really loved her and her mother. But sometimes he was always brainwashed by her stepmother. And she had little memory of her mother, so she didn’t want their house to be taken away from them. Her father had promised her that he would not force her to marry a stranger anymore. But the accident happened. 

‘I hope you understand this, Dad. I am doing this for us.’