Chapter 19
Howard and Vivian believed it was only right that the younger generation was respectful of their elders.
They kept bugging Danielle, reminding her over and over, “You gotta bring a gift when you visit Logan tomorrow. Don’t show up with your hands empty”
Danielle met her parents‘ eager looks and finally gave in. Fine, I do it.” She figured it could be a follow–up visit. After all, she had gotten the Crimson Lily as a gift, and David did drop a ridiculous amount of cash for that surgery.
David exchanged a few more niceties with Howard and Vivian before he got up and made to leave. TI pick you up tomorrow morning, Miss Darling. Please excuse me now.”
Vivian stood up as well. “Are you leaving already? Come by anytime, but don’t worry about bringing any gifts.” David responded lightly in his deep voice, “It’s just a token of my appreciation. Not a big deal.”
“Danielle, please see David off, Vivian instructed.
Danielle didn’t see why she had to do so. She still seemed to think that David’s visit had nothing to do with her.
Still, she obeyed her parents‘ instructions and saw David to the door, even waiting for him to get into his car. David, however, continued to stand at the door, staring at her intently.
He finally spoke again. “Miss Darling, I don’t think we have exchanged contact information yet,” he said as he took his phone out and handed it to her.
Danielle took her phone out as well, and the both of them saved each other’s contact information.
“See you tomorrow, my fiancée, David said in a slightly raspy voice, but his eyes shone brilliantly.
Danielle was taken aback. She hadn’t agreed to the marital arrangement.
Howard and Vivian watched the exchange with their mouths slightly agape. It seemed like David had taken a liking Danielle after all. They imagined the two might tie the knot before the end of the next year.
Their feelings of elation were soon replaced by dread. They had only just reunited with their daughter and were unwilling to part with her again so soon. The Darling brothers shared the same sentiment.
Audrey stared angrily at Danielle. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her fingernails dug into her flesh.
Howard’s attention soon turned to the small mountain of gifts. He asked Danielle hesitantly. “Danielle, about those gifts…”
“I’ll take care of it,” Danielle answered. She hadn’t expected to gain a fiancé upon her return. David was difficult for her to read, and she had a hunch things were about to get even more complicated.
Not long after David’s departure, the Darlings made their way to visit Danielle’s grandparents. They’d just arrived at the hospital when Danielle’s phone started ringing. It was David.
She answered the phone and immediately heard David’s low, magnetic voice from the other end of the line. “Danielle, I’ve reached the office.”
Danielle wasn’t sure how to respond. “Yes? Is something the matter?”
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Chapter 19
David hadn’t expected this answer from Danielle, which amused him. “What time should I pick you up tomorrow?” he asked gently.
“In the morning, I guess,” Danielle answered. It just so happened she had time then
“Where should I pick you?” he asked.
X
“At… my place, Danielle replied.
“Got it. I’ll bring you some cupcakes tomorrow, David answered casually. He seemed to be in a great mood.
“Huh?” Danielle was confused. They were going to see Logan. She thought maybe David was bringing cupcakes for Logan before she figured out that they were for her. She was surprised that David knew that she liked cupcakes.
“What flavor do you want?” David asked.
“Well. Anything is fine, Danielle answered flatly. She was about to hang up when David spoke again.
“I’ll get you one of every kind then.”
Danielle began to protest. “There’s no need to buy so many.”
“You’re my fiancée and my grandfather’s lifesaver. I don’t think can buy too many cupcakes for you,” David replied easily.
Danielle gave up. “Thank you then.”
“Alright. I won’t keep you. See you tomorrow,” David said.
Danielle hummed and hung up. David hadn’t expected that she was even less talkative than he was?
As soon as Danielle hung up, she realized that her parents and brothers were all looking at her. She coughed lightly and said, “Well, let’s get going.”
The elevator doors opened with a ding, and the Darling family stepped out onto the nineteenth floor. The head them approaching and greeted them with a nod of her head. “Great to see all of you here together this time.”
Vivian took Danielle’s hand in hers and introduced her. “This is our first daughter, Danielle.”
se saw
The head nurse was a little surprised. She hadn’t known that the Darling family had two daughters. She nodded at Danielle and said respectfully, “Nice to meet you, Miss Darling”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Danielle answered politely.
The head nurse eyes, and exuding grace and elegance. She seemed even more sophisticated than Audrey.
gave Danielle a careful once–over. Danielle was beautiful, with fair and smooth skin, bright, almond–shaped
The head nurse wondered if one of the daughters was an illegitimate one and mentally pictured an epic internal family struggle over power and wealth.
“How are Alice and Caleb today?” Howard asked. He knew they were hanging in the balance, but he couldn’t help the hopeful
tone in his voice.
“I’m afraid there’s been no improvement. At one point, they couldn’t even breathe independently. Their bodily functions have deteriorated even further since the last time you came, the head nurse reported.
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The hospital provided them with a daily report, and in the past two days, the doctor informed them that their condition had taken a turn for the worse. They told the Darlings to prepare themselves, but Vivian and Howard had found it hard to swallow,
The family made their way to the exclusive VIP ward, which was bright and spacious room. It had been fitted with two beds instead of one, and the two elders were lying in their respective beds. The nurses on standby saw them as they arrived in the room and greeted them respectfully before taking their lelive.
Howard stood by their bedside, his voice soft but firm. “Mom, DL, I don’t buy a word the doctors are saying. I know you are gonna wake up. Do you remember Danielle, your granddaughter? You both adored her. She’s back now. You really should see her. She’s gorgeous, and she’s everything a parent could wish for.”
Audrey stood to the side as she looked at her unresponsive grandparents. She didn’t feel any ounce of sadness. In fact, she felt the opposite. She hoped they wouldn’t ever wake up again.
When she was adopted, the two old farts had strongly opposed, and they never treated her kindly no matter how hard she tried to please them.
“Danielle, these are your grandparents. Come say hi to them,” Vivian said as she stroked Danielle’s hair,
Danielle stepped closer to the beds and said gently, “Alice, Caleb, it’s me. Danielle. I’m back, and I’ve come to see you. I’ll make sure the both of you recover
Danielle’s grandparents were dressed in hospital gowns. Their hair had been carefully groomed, and their nails neatly trimmed. They were well taken care of, and their eyes were closed as if they were simply asleep and would awake at any moment.
