Chapter 3 I Hope You Both Have A Happy Marriage

Brynn relaxed her clenched fist and said, "I'll go get the water."

Behind her, Carla softly told Lawrence, "You don't need to be so harsh. After all, Brynn was once..."

"You said it yourself. That was all in the past."

Brynn gripped the glass tightly.

When she returned with the water, she caught Carla giving Lawrence a quick kiss on the cheek. Seen by Brynn, Carla blushed and hid under the covers.

"I-I'm ready to sleep now."

"Alright, I'll stay right here with you."

Lawrence smiled slightly, his eyes briefly meeting Brynn's.

Brynn set the glass down on the table, maintaining a neutral face as if she hadn't noticed anything.

He narrowed his eyes.

Suddenly, Brynn stiffened, staring at him in shock. Her face turned red, her body tensed up, and she clutched the edge of the table tightly.

Her look was a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Today, Brynn's dress stopped above her knees, revealing her slim, straight legs from her thighs down, adding a touch of elegance and allure.

Lawrence looked away, his smile subtle yet suggestive.

He seemed to know just how to unsettle her, making her shiver and her legs feel weak.

As she looked at him, a mix of shame and helplessness in her misty eyes, he leaned in and whispered just for her to hear, "You are really juicy."

He then casually took a tissue and wiped his fingers, his smile mocking.

Brynn bit her lip and turned her head awkwardly, pressing her hands against her dress hem.

Flirting with another woman in front of his fiancee, didn't he feel any remorse?

Carla peeked from under the covers, her eyes large and teary as she looked at Lawrence. Softly, she said, "Lawrence, I..."

Her gaze shifted to Brynn, and her voice faded away.

Brynn, anxious to leave, quickly found an excuse to leave.

As she walked away, Lawrence's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing into a darker gaze.

"Lawrence?" Carla called out once more, and he looked up, aware of her thoughts. He managed a small smile and stood to tuck her in, saying, "Get some rest. The priority is your health. And don't forget, our wedding is next month."

Carla watched him, choosing to remain quiet.

-

Brynn paused in the hallway, the cool breeze from the window easing the warmth on her flushed cheeks.

Behind her, slow footsteps approached. "You will stay here from now on and look after Carla."

It was his usual relaxed tone, satisfied and languid.

The memory of what had just happened lingered in her mind, causing her cheeks to heat up once more.

"We agreed you wouldn't interrupt my studies."

"I won't. Use your free time." Lawrence's look was cold, a sharp contrast to his earlier erotic self.

"I need to work, too."

Her voice was firm, indicating her reluctance to mix with people from her former life, especially given her current entanglement with Lawrence. It made facing Carla all the more difficult.

"Quit."

His tone was firm, and he chuckled coldly as he grasped her left hand, noticing the blood had darkened on the gauze.

"Didn't I give you enough money? Why do you have to end up like this?"

Worried that they might be seen together, Brynn quickly pulled her hand away. "It's not for the money..."

Lawrence's eyebrow arched, a sneer forming on his lips, his gaze intense and piercing. "Not for the money?"

Brynn realized what she had implied, her cheeks coloring as she looked away.

It was indeed ridiculous. It wasn't for the money, yet despite knowing he despised her and sought only to degrade her, she still found herself repeatedly in his bed.

"If I remember correctly, your mother is also in this hospital, right?"

Brynn's expression shifted slightly. "You promised you wouldn't involve my family!"

He tauntingly squeezed her chin. "Well, that depends on how you... behave."

Letting go of her chin, he stepped back with a look of disdain. "Go see a doctor about that wound!"

It was only after he walked away that Brynn found a nurse to change her bandage.

When she returned to the ward, Carla was still up, watching her with a subtle smile.

"Who would have thought the esteemed little princess of the Gibson family would end up as my caregiver?"

Brynn remained silent, simply handing her the water.

Carla peered at it and said, "It's cold now. How can I drink this?"

With that, she knocked the glass off the table, shattering it on the floor.

Brynn instinctively stepped back to avoid the broken pieces.

Carla gave a sweet smile, lifting her hand, and said, "Oh dear. Sorry, my hand slipped."

Brynn pressed her lips together, telling herself it was just part of the job as she quietly cleaned up the mess.

"Do you really think by working for Lawrence, you can turn your life around? Do you even deserve that?" Carla felt no need to mask her feelings around Brynn; they were too familiar with each other.

"Just so you know, Brynn, Lawrence is mine! I've done so much to be the woman he wants! I won't let anyone take him from me!"

After tidying up, Brynn stood, her eyes reflecting a trace of pity. "Then keep him close. I hope you both have a happy marriage."

Ignoring the taunts behind her, she turned and left.

-

The following day, just before her class wrapped up, Brynn got a text from Carla requesting her favorite dessert from the west side and coffee from the east side of the city. By the time Brynn made it to the hospital, night had already fallen.

She entered the hospital lobby carrying the takeout and bumped into Kelley.

"Brynn!"

Kelley smiled as she approached, her fashion-forward look topped off with large sunglasses that covered half her face.

"Are you here to see Mom? Let's head up together."

She warmly linked arms with Brynn, who, feeling uneasy with the closeness, replied, "You go on. I've got something else to handle."

They were sisters but lacked a genuine connection. In the days when Brynn's father held influence, the Gibson household was a hub for visitors, with Kelley often dropping by, winning over the Gibsons with her flattering words. Once the Gibson family's fortunes waned, Kelley stopped visiting altogether.

Kelley, skeptical, questioned, "What could you possibly be busy with?"

Her eyes sparkled when she saw the coffee Brynn carried. "You remember I love this brand? It's so hard to get; my assistant waits in line forever to get it every time."

She reached out for the coffee, murmuring, "Thanks..."

Before her fingers could grasp it, Brynn pulled it back. "It's not for you."

Brynn was all too familiar with Kelley's character; whatever Kelley desired, she claimed as her own.

Feeling embarrassed by the refusal, Kelley managed a strained smile. "Is it for Mom? You know Mom can't have coffee. Just give it to me."

Kelley grabbed Brynn's arm tightly enough to cause pain. Brynn shoved her back. "I told you, it's not for you!"

Kelley's face darkened, her smile turning cold. "Oh? So it's for yourself? You seem to really enjoy life. Aren't you aware of the high costs of Mom's medical care? With spending habits like yours, do you ever consider her?"