SWNOVELS Chapter 7 by HusnaS
7. She Is To Blame
Phoenix City’s First Hospital stood proudly in the heart of the city, just a stone’s throw away from StriveStyle Co.
Heidi swiftly arrived, making her way through the hospital’s entrance. The staff, familiar with her due to GK Group’s significant ownership, directed her straight to the emergency room.
Although Lucas hadn’t publicly declared their marriage, this hospital was one of the few places where Heidi was acknowledged as a member of the Harrison Family.
“How is Grandpa’s condition?” Heidi asked, encountering the doctor emerging from the emergency room. Sweaty and out of breath from her hurried arrival, anxiety gripped her as she feared Grandpa Winston’s condition might be more severe this time.
“Tell me, Doc. What exactly happened to Grandpa Winston?”
“Do you even deserve to know?” a familiar yet cold voice interrupted from behind. Heidi turned to find herself face-to-face with Lucas.
“What’s wrong with you? You’re the one who called me to come to visit your Grandpa!” Hendi shouted.
“If it wasn’t for you, Grandpa wouldn’t have ended up in this condition,” Lucas accused, his words hanging heavily in the air.
Heidi, recovering from the initial shock, furrowed her brows in confusion. “Mr. Harrison, I know you hate me now. But don’t pin the blame on me.”
“I don’t hate you, Heidi,” Lucas retorted, closing the distance between them. “I just dislike people with your attitude. A shameless gold digger, are you having fun with your new lover?”
His words stung like needles pricking her heart. Heidi couldn’t fathom that he was the same man to whom she had selflessly given her heart. Despite their loveless marriage, there had always been respect. The sudden hatred perplexed her, and she chose not to clarify the misunderstanding.
Ignoring him, she turned to enter the room, but Lucas grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Let me go.” Heidi attempted to free her hand, but Lucas held on firmly.
“Does it hurt to hear?” Lucas chuckled darkly. “Are you so shameful to face me now?”
“I have nothing to be ashamed about.”
“You have no right to see Grandpa. You could trick the old man, Heidi. But you can’t fool me.”
“Just let go of me.” Heidi pulled away. “Right, I am a gold digger. Am I any different from you, Mr. Harrison?”
“You accuse me of having an affair. What is the role of your mistress? And Oh, congratulations… you’re even getting married.”
“So what?” Lucas spat out.
“You have no right to call me names. In fact, we are even. You cheated with your mistress, and you’re even about to marry her. Why do you care about whatever I’m doing?”
“Because you have no right to,” Lucas enunciated each word. “Heidi, you can fool around as much as you wish, but wait until our divorce is finalized.”
“Whatever silly game you’re up to, you’d better quit it. Three years ago, you wriggled your way into my life through Grandpa. You fooled him into believing you’re the perfect granddaughter-in-law. Do you think I don’t know the reason why you came here? You act as if you’re a saint when you’re only here to worsen matters.”
Lucas’s words stripped away every ounce of respect and admiration Heidi held for him. She had deluded herself into thinking he was the perfect man. From high school to college, Heidi’s heart had belonged to him alone. Yet, in this moment, she realized her biggest mistake— letting her heart wander into a place where it would only shatter into pieces. That, she recognized, was her most significant regret.
“Oh, Lucas. Lucas, how’s Grandpa?”
At that moment, the clicking sounds of high heels echoed in the hallway, and Tracy emerged from the elevator and scurried up to Lucas, pretending not to see Heidi.
“Please tell me Grandpa is alright. You left the dinner party in a hurry, and I was so worried…” She threw her arms around Lucas and sobbed. “Oh, poor Grandpa. I hope he gets well soon.”
Seeing the fragile girl crying in his arms, Lucas’s hard expression melted.
He pulled away and gently wiped her tears. “Hey, don’t worry. Grandpa is going to be fine.”
“But I’m afraid, Lucas…” Tracy’s tears flowed rapidly. “People are saying horrible things about Grandpa’s sudden illness. They think it’s a bad premonition for our wedding.”
“Tracy, don’t listen to what people say. Even a war will not stop our wedding from happening.”
When Tracy heard that, she hid her face in his chest, her lips forming a grateful smile.
If Heidi hadn’t seen with her own eyes, she would never have believed that Lucas would ever treat a woman so gently.
‘Ha!’ The bitterness spread from her mouth to her heart. Deciding that standing there was only a waste of her time, she held the doorknob to the emergency room… And that was when Tracy pretended to finally notice her.
“Heidi, you’re also here?” She looked up from Lucas’s chest, her red eyes dampened with tears.
Tracy sniffled, and she held Heidi’s hands. “I know we got off to a bad start, Heidi. After all, not every woman would love seeing her ex-husband with another woman.”
“But I forgive you for what happened at the restaurant. You must have spilled the soup on me out of jealousy, right?”
“What exactly do you want, Tracy?” Heidi folded her hands. Seriously, the girl’s attitude irritated her.
“I just want you to leave me and Lucas alone. Please… I know you will try hurting me again, and I don’t mean any trouble, really.”
“She won’t dare to hurt you.” Lucas would never forget the rooftop incident. “I won’t let her hurt you, Tracy.”
“Lucas, I want to hear Heidi say it,” Tracy said in a pitiful tone. “Women can be dangerous when they get jealous. I want her to promise me that she’ll not repeat something like that… I want her to leave us alone.”
“Honestly, am I holding you?” Heidi rolled her eyes. “If you are so scared that I might hurt you, I wonder where you got that confidence to hook up with a married man.”
“Guys, could you please keep it down?” The door to the emergency room opened, and a nurse walked out. “The patient has woken up due to the commotion. Please, Mr. Harrison…”
“Grandpa is up?” Lucas dashed to the emergency room, giving Heidi a shove in the process. Heidi was also anxious to see the old man, so she followed him. Grandpa Winston was resting on the bed, and Heidi hurried to his side.
“Grandpa,” Heidi called out softly. “How are you feeling now, Grandpa?”
“Heidi, is that you?” The old man looked much more alive when he saw her. “Silly Girl. It turns out I have seen wrong on the TV.”
When he saw his grandson walk in together with Heidi, Grandpa Winston thought the news was only fake. However, there seemed to be one more person at the door.
Then, his eyes caught Tracy walking in, and his expression darkened.
“Who gave her permission to come here?”