Chapter 100: Do You Want To Keep Going?
Samuel's grip on Raylee's hand tightened instinctively, as if he were holding onto something precious that was slipping away. His eyes stung, betraying the weight of his fear and helplessness. He couldn't bear to lose her, the sister who had been part of his life for eighteen years. He murmured, “No, Raylee. I won't let you die. You have to wake up right now!”
As dizziness clouded her mind, Raylee faintly registered the sound of his panicked plea. Why bother with the pretense! At that moment, she wished she could just die right there and then. Dragging her battered body through life, barely hanging on, only to be surrounded by such detestable people, she thought the sheer frustration would be the end of her sooner or later.
The doctor arrived in time to treat Raylee. After changing her medication, he cautioned everyone present. “The patient has multiple wounds that are severely inflamed and oozing pus due to infection. She has been running a dangerously high fever that hasn’t subsided. Please avoid upsetting her further and allow her to rest properly.”
The members of the Goodridge family nodded in unison, their faces heavy with guilt. Samuel, in particular, stood by Raylee’s bedside, his eyes red and filled with a deep fear. He didn’t dare move, terrified that if he looked away even for a second, she might slip away from him forever.
Waverly tried to reassure him, saying, “Samuel, don’t worry too much. The doctor said that once her fever goes down, she’ll be fine.” But Samuel remained expressionless, offering no reply. He simply stared at Raylee’s swollen face with an unsettling calm. For the first time, he treated Waverly with such indifference. Waverly felt a pang of discomfort, as though her brother was slipping away and gravitating toward Raylee once more. Yet, she dared not show it, gazing at him with tear-filled eyes instead. Harriet and Alaric attempted to convince Samuel to return home, but he refused to budge.
An hour later, Casimir escorted Shanice back to her ward, leaving Raylee alone in the care of Samuel and the caregiver. Samuel whispered to her, “Seeing you like this breaks my heart. Please get better soon. I promise I won’t scold you anymore. Ray-Ray, can we go back to the way we used to be? I’m really worried about you. Please, don’t leave me behind.” As he stared at Raylee’s pale cheeks, he felt an unbearable wave of sadness wash over him. His eyes grew red, and his voice cracked as he spoke, his words heavy with emotion. When he could find no more words to say, he quietly tucked the blanket around her fragile frame and left the ward.
At that moment, a sleek black sports car pulled up to the entrance of the hospital. Jeremiah took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of stern features, as he alighted. His gaze, cold and menacing, locked onto the hospital. He radiated an aura that sent chills down the spines of those nearby. Having heard that Raylee had been rescued and brought back to the country, Jeremiah had wasted no time and rushed back from East Aploth. The chance he had once held had slipped through his fingers, leaving him restless and unwilling to accept defeat. In this lifetime, he would never let her go.
Chapter 100: Do You Want To Keep Going?
“It’s you!” Samuel froze in surprise. He had been planning to confront Jeremiah, and now here he was, walking right into his path. It couldn’t have been more convenient.
Jeremiah greeted him with a sly, playful grin, “Well, well, look who it is! Mr. Goodridge, my future brother-in-law!”
“You b——stard, you kidnapped my sister to East Aploth and left her in such a state. I’ll kill you!” Samuel exploded. He lunged forward, landing a punch squarely on Jeremiah’s face.
A sharp pain shot through Jeremiah. He ran his fingers over his damp lips, noticing the blood. Gently pressing his bruised cheek, he licked away the streak of blood that had pooled at the corner of his mouth. A faint smile played on his lips.
“Samuel, we’re family, after all. Don’t you think you’re being a bit excessive?” He leaned in closer, tilting his head. “Here, why not hit this side too? Just go easy on me. I’m not a fan of pain!”
Jeremiah’s audacity left Samuel momentarily stunned. His raised fist froze in mid-air. Completely flustered, Samuel snapped, “Are you out of your mind?” Who in their right mind would willingly ask for a beating?
“Yes, I am. I even have OCD. If only one side of my face gets hit, it drives me crazy!” Jeremiah sneered.
“Fine, I’ll humor your twisted request!” Samuel’s fists landed again, this time with even greater force, leaving Jeremiah’s teeth bloodied. Jeremiah spat out the blood in his mouth and flashed a smirk.
“Have you had your fill of hitting me, my dear brother-in-law, or do you want to keep going? If so, aim for my body. I’ll even take my clothes off to make it easier for you!”
Confronted with the man’s brazen attitude, Samuel was consumed with rage. Only a psychopath would ask for a beating. He really has nothing to lose.