SWNOVELS Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The doctor considered the nurse’s reported situation and asked with a hint of frustration, “Mr. Leonard, do you want to let your parents know?”
Leonard imagined his two gray-haired parents rushing over and weakly shook his head. The doctor sighed, saying, “I suggest you two stop arguing and pranking each other. You’re adults, aren’t you?”
Lisa poked her tender face out from the bathroom with tears in her eyes. She said, “Doctor, I’m only twenty years old. I’m still a student!”
‘I would believe she was eighteen with that appearance.’
The doctor’s throat tightened. “No matter your age, we’re still in a hospital. Stop pranking Mr. Leonard since he’s sensitive to the smell of pineapple. Meanwhile, Mr. Leonard, you must focus on your recovery.”
‘He should take himself more seriously since he’s almost thirty,’ the doctor kept his thoughts to himself, not daring to speak.
When he left, Leonard stared at Lisa incredulously. “You’re only twenty?”
“No, I’m twenty-two,” Lisa admitted as she leaned on the bathroom door frame.
Leonard sighed in relief. Although Lisa was still young, she was older than she claimed.
“Then why’d you lie to the doctor?”
“Well, don’t people normally do childish things when they’re younger?” Lisa blinked her watery eyes and said, “I’m not like you, older and braver.”
“Lisa.” Leonard felt his blood pressure go up again.
“Ms. Lisa.” The nurse looked at Lisa nervously. “Stop aggravating him.”
“Fine.” Lisa nodded. “Leonard, let’s try to reconcile for now. I know you don’t like me, and honestly, I don’t like you. I understand you don’t believe me, but I swear I married you solely for the money.”
Leonard took a deep breath, composed himself, and stared at the woman before him. Still, he was annoyed for some reason.
‘Does she mean I’m not as captivating as two million dollars? Forget it. It’ll be troublesome if she develops feelings for me. After all, I have enough admirers vying for my attention.’
Lisa noticed Leonard’s silence and continued, “It makes sense for us to cooperate. We have a common goal—divorce.”
Leonard nodded in agreement with that. “So, tell me. What’s your bright idea?”
“Since your father doesn’t want us to divorce, I’ll have to make him hate me,” Lisa explained, “Since we’re in the hospital now and can’t see him, we’ll wait for you to recover. Then, I’ll move into your house. I’ll try to make your father hate me whenever he sees me.”
“He’ll hate you regardless of your plan, especially with your personality,” Leonard quipped.
Lisa feigned ignorance. “Well then, let’s make up for the time being.”
“Are you begging?” Leonard raised an eyebrow.
Lisa was speechless.
‘Does it look like I’m begging? No!’
Before she could say anything, Leonard nodded. “If that’s the case, I agree for now.”
Lisa chose not to say anything.
‘He’s too full of himself.’
“Leonard, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”
Leonard narrowed his eyes as if he had guessed what she wanted to say. Then his thin lips slightly parted before he snapped, “That’s none of your business.”
“I think you might only be eighteen.” Lisa smiled.
“Are you sure this is a reconciliatory attitude?” Leonard shot her a stern look.
Lisa wanted to refute using the same question, but after considering the situation, she suspected the Parker family would bury her alive if anything happened to Leonard in the hospital.
Hence, she let it go, stopped arguing, and returned to her room.
…
Leonard and Lisa did not talk to each other over the next few days and avoided unnecessary interaction. They managed to coexist peacefully until the doctor discharged Leonard from the hospital.
Soon after, the driver took them back to the Parker family’s home. Lisa felt like her head would explode as she contemplated sharing a house with David, Melissa, Jeffrey, and Michelle.
Lisa initially hoped to leave the house after becoming a widow and having limited contact with the Parker family. However, everything led to an uncertain future.
“Remember what you said.” Leonard, sitting beside Lisa, gave her a sideways look.
“What?” Lisa did not catch what he was referring to.
Leonard raised his brow, saying, “Don’t forget your words and find out how to make my dad hate you.”
Lisa blinked in confusion. “Didn’t you say your dad would end up hating me even if I did nothing?”
Leonard’s frown deepened, making him look more glum.
It’s been a few days, yet she’s still holding grudges.’
“Lisa, I hope you follow through with what you said.” Leonard took a deep breath and slowly parted his thin lips. “I don’t love you at all. Even if you stay by my side, I won’t spare you a second glance.
“If you expect to inherit my assets when I die, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’d rather donate every penny to charity than give you a thing.”
“Do all rich people like you think they’re attractive everywhere?” Lisa could not help but mutter in a hushed tone.
There was silence in the car while Jackson drove. He almost burst out laughing. After a short time together over the past few days, he realized Lisa had quite the knack for delivering sharp remarks.
Jackson glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Leonard’s face contorting with disgust. Leonard had not felt a single moment of joy since meeting Lisa.
…
The car pulled into the mansion’s driveway. Leonard’s parents and sister-in-law had been waiting for them for quite some time.
“My son! You’re finally home from the hospital.” Melissa held Leonard’s hand with teary eyes. She asked, “How are you? Are you feeling any discomfort?”
“My chest feels a bit uneasy,” Leonard said with a bitter expression.
Melissa grew anxious. “Why is that? Have you checked with the doctor?”
“Mom, it’s not a physical problem.” Leonard glanced at the woman behind him and said, “I feel uneasy whenever I see a particular person.”
Melissa was at a loss for words.
Michelle angrily added, “I’d also feel uneasy if I faced someone I didn’t like all day.”
David glared daggers at his daughter-in-law.
At that moment, Lisa said earnestly, “Leonard and I have no feelings for each other. We agreed to marry and save his life for fear of offending your family. Now that he’s safe, I don’t see us needing to continue this marriage.”
David was satisfied upon hearing this and said, “You’re honest and straight to the point. I like that. You’re a good child, and we shouldn’t harass you. Stay with us. Leonard can leave the house if he isn’t satisfied with you.”
Leonard immediately glared at Lisa, his eyes wanting to tear her apart.
Lisa shivered. She did not expect to make David like her even more. It was not her intention. “I-I…”
“All right, you’ve been hospitalized for too many days. Let’s go inside and have dinner.” David signaled the servants to carry their luggage into the house.
Leonard’s cold, thin lips approached Lisa’s ear as they sat in the living room. “You’re cunning.”
Lisa was at a loss for words and could not express herself.