Chap 37
“I’m just asking for Grandma’s opinion, Dad. Is that wrong?”
“You can love Flavia, but it doesn’t mean you can be disrespectful to your grandmother.”
“I just want Grandma not to look down on Flavia.” Abigail replied again.
“Abigail…” Julie Hampton looked at her granddaughter with a puzzled look. Why was Abigail reacting like this? Why were they discussing Flavia?
“What really happened with Flavia? What’s with five years ago? Can someone explain?” Gladwin looked at his sister, brother-in-law, mother, and also his niece.
“Grandma just explained everything to Uncle a moment ago. No matter how much Uncle loves Flavia, your relationship will never get her approval. Flavia is a flawed woman. The likelihood of her giving offspring to Uncle is very small. That’s the reason why Flavia rejected Uncle.” Abigail’s answer left the other three stunned.
“What does this mean, Abigail?” Julie Hampton looked at her granddaughter and then at her son. “What do you mean by saying that your uncle loves Flavia?” Her gaze was so piercing. Clearly, Mrs. Julie felt stabbed in the back. How could her son love someone he had avoided as a potential daughter-in-law for so long?
“Yes, Grandma. Uncle loves Flavia, and it’s mutual. But Grandma, you don’t need to worry. Flavia is a self-aware person. She knows that she’s not the kind of person suitable for your perfect son.
“She even chose to step back and hurt herself rather than moving forward to pursue her happiness and hurt you. Do you think she doesn’t know how you perceive her? You’ve been belittling her without realizing it.” Abigail finished her drink, then stood up. “Dinner was good. I mean, my purpose has been achieved. Please, Uncle, discuss this with Grandma. If Uncle gets Grandma’s approval, I’ll help Uncle convince Flavia. But if Uncle still doesn’t get Grandma’s approval, I’ll be the first to separate you two.” Abigail bid farewell to her parents and grandmother before leaving the house.
She needed some time alone. She needed to calm her anger towards her grandmother. That’s what she needed right now.
Looking down on her friend? That wasn’t the only reason Abigail disliked her grandmother’s actions. But classifying a woman who can’t have children as ‘flawed’ is what Abigail hates. After all, her self-worth as a woman is also tarnished.
Meanwhile, at Antony’s house.
The dinner atmosphere seemed quite normal. Flavia continued to engage in the conversation with everyone. She had to act normal even though she was currently hurt.
After returning from the apartment this afternoon, Flavia was again attacked by a headache. She went to Eijaz’s place to get herself checked. And the man asked her to undergo a CT scan because he was always anxious whenever Flavia complained of a headache. Fortunately, the results showed that she was fine.
Eijaz asked her to sit and wait for him, intending to take her home together or maybe hang out at a cafe if Flavia’s condition improved. Flavia didn’t refuse; she agreed to Eijaz’s request and chose to wait in the hospital garden area.
“Visiting your fiancé?” Greeted a woman with a friendly tone. Flavia, who was looking at her phone, looked up and saw Phoebe leaning casually with her hands folded in front of her chest.
“Doctor Phoebe,” she greeted warmly. “Yes, I’m waiting for Dr. Eijaz.” She replied honestly.
Phoebe nodded. “How about your relationship with Eijaz? What’s the plan for the future? When are you getting married?” Her gaze seemed to pierce Flavia. Flavia furrowed her brow, confused by Phoebe’s question, which showed no hint of friendliness.
“We don’t have any plans for that yet,” Flavia replied honestly. “Why do you ask?”
Phoebe sat beside Flavia, her posture upright and stiff. She faced Flavia, her gaze still piercing. There was a hidden anger and hatred that Flavia herself didn’t understand the cause of. It seemed like Phoebe had removed her friendly mask and was being herself now. “Because I find you boring. You pretend to be innocent, trying to attract the attention of both Gladwin and Eijaz at the same time. Are you really that greedy?” she asked sharply.
“Excuse me?” Flavia’s forehead wrinkled in confusion.
“Don’t pretend to be innocent in front of me, Flavia. I know you love Gladwin. But at the same time, you’re still with Eijaz. Can’t you choose between them? You already have Eijaz, so let Gladwin be with me.”
“Doctor?”
“Besides, Gladwin’s mother has already agreed if Gladwin marries me. Your grandmother clearly likes me, and I have more potential to be their daughter-in-law than you. Of course, I’m healthy and normal. Moreover, I’m an outsider, having no family relationship with you. If Gladwin marries me, there won’t be any unpleasant rumors about our marriage.
“Marrying a widow with one child is more acceptable to society than marrying your own niece. Don’t you think so?” Phoebe’s statement left Flavia stunned. It wasn’t about the fact that her grandmother liked Phoebe as a potential daughter-in-law. It wasn’t about the fact that Phoebe was a widow with a child, as everyone was aware of that.
But the words ‘healthy and normal’ caught Flavia’s attention. Why did the woman in front of her say such a thing?
“What do you mean, Doctor?” Flavia asked after shaking off her stunned feeling.
“Meaning? Can’t you grasp my meaning yet? I thought you were smart, considering I heard you got a scholarship to one of the prestigious universities. But your intelligence doesn’t seem to make you understand my straightforward statement,” Phoebe said with a mocking tone.
“I’m asking you to stay away from Gladwin. It’s clear that you’re not worthy of being his wife. Do you intend to burden Gladwin for the rest of his life?” Flavia’s forehead wrinkled even deeper.
“You’re just a wretched woman, Flavia. I’m sorry if I went off track. I’m a doctor, and I’ve seen your medical records. Since you became Eijaz’s patient, I could access your medical records through the data he has.” Flavia widened her eyes. “Oh, I didn’t steal it. It was just an accidental glimpse of your data in his office. No, more precisely, when Eijaz wasn’t in his office. Yes, I deliberately sought information about you, considering you regularly check yourself with him.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
“I thought your visits all this time were that of an engaged person. But it turns out I was wrong because, in fact, you visited him as a patient.
“I thought Gladwin didn’t know about this. Given that you come every time Gladwin is off duty. And, yes, when Eijaz is not there, I met his replacement and managed to see your medical records.
“The accident five years ago not only injured your brain and bones but also damaged your uterus, right?” Phoebe’s words made Flavia pale. “I guess Gladwin doesn’t know this yet because if he knew, he would gladly turn away. Isn’t that right?” Her sarcastic tone was thick, but Flavia could only stand there in shock.
“Gladwin is a good son. He loves his mother very much. But I think he will become disobedient if he forces himself to be with you. So, instead of adding sin by creating a war between mother and son, it’s better for you to step back from the beginning.” Phoebe whispered coldly. Then her face turned into a smile when the sound of footsteps approached. “Doctor Eijaz,” she greeted warmly. Flavia, who was in a position with her back to the man, tried to neutralize her feelings and facial expression.
“Dokter Phoebe,” Eijaz greeted again.
“I’m accompanying Flavia, I thought you might take a while. It’s better not to keep her waiting too long. You didn’t see that the single guys around the hospital are always glancing in her direction,” she teased.
Flavia didn’t know how Eijaz responded to the woman’s words as she had left before him.
“Are you okay?” Eijaz asked, concerned, as he sat in the spot where Phoebe had been sitting. Flavia tried to put on a smile and nodded her head.