chapter 16
When Hugh woke up, everything around him was a blur of white. The sharp smell of disinfectant hit him hard. The alcohol still hung in his system, leaving his head heavy and
His stomach was like a rock, heny and sout, with a dull ache that wouldn’t let up. He scanned the room, his vision gradually coming into focus
Emilia’s eyes were red from crying, her face twisted with anger. “Are you seriously going to act like you’re going to die over a woman like her? She’s just the daughter of some housekeeper! What do you even see in her?
- She’s clearly
A few of Hugh’s friends gathered around, trying to talk some sense into him. “Kelly’s been gone for a month, no word, nothing.
Hugh had heard those words over and over for the past month. He never paid them attention before, and he wasn’t about to start now. His bloodshot eyes stared off, empty. His lips were pressed right, his jaw rough with stubble. All that showed on his face was stubborn defiance Seeing him like that, Emilia finally gave up. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her without looking at him.
The room went quiet, and Hugh’s friends exchanged awkward glances before speaking up again, cautiously. “Honestly, you could be with any woman you want with your status now, Hugh. You don’t have to hang on to Kelly.”
yavoiding you, Hugh Just let it go.”
“Show her that you’re doing just fine without her, that there’s no shortage of women out there. She’ll realize she’s nothing without you, and eventually, she’ll come craving back”
“Yeah, worst–case, we could get someone who looks exactly like Kelly. Once you work your magic, it’s basically the same, don’t you”
Out of nowhere, a glass of water crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces and splashing everyone’s pant legs. No one dared to say a word. When Hugh went blind and the Johnstons rumed their backs on him, Kelly stood by him without hesitation. Everyone looked down on them.
They just couldn’t understand why a woman would stay with a blind man cast out by a powerful family. But eventually, their contempt turned into envy. Despite all their money and the constant parade of girlfriends, none of them had ever found a woman who cared for them the way Kelly had cared for Hugh.
Even after Hugh regained sight and rose to the top of high society, he never looked at another woman. His eyes were always on Kelly until Natalie came back into the picture Hugh’s friends acted like they were trying to talk some sense into him, but in reality, they were setting things up for him and Natalie to end up together. And just as they’d planned, it all went down just fine
Hugh’s feelings for Kelly were anything but strong. They thought a woman like Kelly needed to understand that there was no such thing as a love that would last forever. After she left, they figured Hugh would go off the rails and indulge himself, but instead, something inside him snapped. Now, he wouldn’t let anyone say a word against Kelly.
“Get out, all of you! Don’t say I didn’t warn you about what’s coming for your families if you ever talk trash about Kelly again!” Hugh’s voice was ice–cold.
Everyone turned pale with fear, scrambling to come up with an excuse as they rushed out of the hospital room.
Lester Hale was the last to leave Furious, he slammed the door behind him. Then, he pulled out his phone and sent Ben a picture of Kelly.
“Remember her face. Find someone who looks like her–the closer, the better.”
He turned, his gaze cold as he stared at the closed door. He couldn’t wait to see how long Hugh would keep up his little act.
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