MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 168
At that moment, upon hearing what Cora just said, William's shoulders dropped slightly. Then he gave a small, reluctant nod, because deep down, he knew Cora was angry and irritating. Trying to argue further would not only make things worse but would also look completely foolish. Cora was not someone to be easily intimidated or manipulated. And William, even in his arrogance, understood that picking a fight with her when she had made her stance clear especially in this hospital, in her current state was simply a bad idea. She had influence, and she had backup. And if she said she would call security, she meant it.
With a forced smile that barely masked the frustration on his face, William muttered, "Alright, Cora. I get it. You're angry. I'll leave… for now." His tone carried a mixture of wounded pride and veiled resentment.
He was just about to turn around and walk out the door when Cora's voice echoed behind him again, cold and firm. "And take your gift with you."
William paused mid-step. He slowly turned back around and saw her pointing at the basket of gifts he had dropped earlier. Her eyes didn't blink, and her expression didn't change. She meant it every single word. She didn't want his gifts. She didn't want anything from him.
With an embarrassed huff, William bent down and picked up the basket. His jaw tightened, his teeth grinding silently behind his lips as he tried to contain his anger. He didn't say a word as he turned and stormed out of the room, gripping the basket like it had just become a symbol of his humiliation.
The room finally went silent, and the heavy tension that had settled around Cora slowly began to lift. She sat back down on the hospital bed, exhaling sharply. Her hands were trembling a bit, not out of fear, but from the adrenaline and anger still pumping through her. Her face remained firm, but her eyes betrayed the emotional fatigue.
Without wasting another moment, she reached for the small intercom remote beside the bed and pressed the call button. "Malisa!" she called out sharply.
A few seconds later, Malisa walked in, a little surprised by the urgency in Cora's voice.
"I want to go home," Cora said without hesitation. "I've had enough of all this. If I was at home, William wouldn't have even tried this nonsense. I want to go home now."
Malisa didn't try to argue. She could see that Cora had made up her mind. And truthfully, she understood. Everything had spiraled far too quickly, and if Cora wanted peace, being home was probably the best choice.
"No problem," Malisa replied calmly. "The doctor already cleared you earlier. You're good to go."
"Good," Cora nodded. "Then pack my things."
With that, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, slowly rising to her feet with determination etched on her face. She didn't wait for Melissa to start; she began walking toward the small cabinet beside the bed to grab her belongings herself. The decision had been made she was going home.
***
At that moment, when Robert walked into the room, the air instantly grew tense. He had barely stepped through the door before he caught sight of his father sitting motionless in his chair. The man's hands were clasped tightly together, elbows on his knees, face dark and unreadable, but Robert knew that expression too well. It was the face of a storm building silently before it broke. His father's eyes locked onto him like a hawk, and every step Robert took closer to him only made the room feel tighter, more suffocating.
Robert stopped a few feet in front of his father, standing tall, though inside, his heart thudded with anxious beats. The silence was thick and sharp, like a blade hovering in the air. He tried to form words, tried to explain himself, but before even a single syllable could escape his lips.
"SLAP!!"
A deafening smack echoed through the room as his father's open palm struck the left side of his face with a force that snapped his head sharply to the right. The sting burned hot across his cheek, and for a second, Robert's body froze. He didn't cry out. He didn't react. He just straightened his head slowly, forcing his expression into calm submission, even though a rush of heat rose behind his eyes.
Then.
"SLAP!!"
Another blow landed, this time on the right side causing his head to jerk in the opposite direction. This one stung worse. The corner of his lip split slightly, and he instinctively raised his hand to wipe away the small dot of blood forming there.
His father stood, chest rising and falling with fury, eyes burning with betrayal.
"How dare you," he growled, his voice low and cold. "How dare you try to defy me, Robert."
He took more step forward, closing whatever little space was left between them, his towering presence now looming above his son.
"You're not a stranger to any of this," he continued, voice rising. "You know exactly what it cost this family to arrange that engagement with Abigail. Years of planning, careful alliances, money, reputation, everything!"
His finger jabbed toward Robert's chest, shaking with fury. "And you my own son you stood there and threw it all away like it meant nothing!"
His voice cracked slightly, not with weakness, but with a fury so deep, it bordered on heartbreak.
"You dare stand before me and act like you don't understand the consequences? You dare put your own selfish feelings above the family? How dare you!"
At that moment, although Robert was burning with anger deep inside, he clenched his fists behind his back and forced himself to remain calm. The heat from his father's slap still lingered on both sides of his face, but he knew this wasn't the moment to flare up. If he let his emotions get the better of him, everything he wanted to say everything he needed to say would be lost in a sea of chaos. So he took a slow breath and spoke in a calm, composed voice.
"Dad, I'm really sorry for the disappointment," Robert began, his voice low but steady. "I didn't just make this decision overnight. I've felt this way for a long time, right from the beginning. I've tried to fit into the idea of being with Abigail, I really have… but I just can't see a future with her."