Chapter 236-1
Not A Small-Town Girl
236
/239
Meanwhile, on the other side, Howard and Vivian had broken the curse, and Danielleâs brothers showed no signs of heading back to work. They were still at home, staying with Danielle, but there was so much to be done.
"Danielle, leave Ivan and Judy to us for questioning. Youâve been pushing yourself too hard. You look so pale." Josephâs voice was full of concern for Danielle. Their entire family had sent people to find the antidote for Luna Stalk, but there was still no news. Everyone knew this poison wasnât easy to cure, and things werenât looking good.
"Joseph, Iâm not tired. How about we go to the hospital and check on Xavier? He should be awake by now," Danielle said, wanting to give her brothers something to do. They were all hovering over her, worried she might overwork herself.
"Then letâs go."
*****
At St. Katherineâs Hospital, Xavier slowly regained consciousness.
The first thing he saw was a man sitting in a chair, asleep, with dark circles under his eyes. Jaden had obviously been staying up for several nightsâwas he the one taking care of him this whole time?
His throat burned with thirst, but the water was out of reach. After struggling to stretch his hand towards it for a while, he finally got close enough to grab it, but the movement caused his wounds to sting, and he winced in pain.
Hearing the rustling from the bed, Jaden woke up. His eyes immediately locked onto Xavierâs pained expression.
"Want some water?"
Xavier nodded. "Yeah, how come youâre here?" he asked, a little disappointed. He hadnât seen any family around, and it stungâwasnât anyone concerned?
Jaden poured him a glass of water and thoughtfully added a straw. "Drink up."
"Your parents were cursed by the housekeeper. Theyâre at home now, getting the curse broken," Jaden said, sensing Xavierâs disappointment. He explained patiently, almost sounding like he was the one who had been poisoned, sitting here instead of going to work, but now, he was explaining things to Xavier like some kind of obsessed caretaker.
"What? Youâre saying my parents were cursed by the housekeeper? Is it dangerous? I need to go home! I need to check on them and on Danielle. What if sheâs still poisoned? I have to see how sheâs doing!" Xavier tried to get up, but Jaden immediately pushed him back down.
"Youâve got your brothers at home. Right now, your only job is to rest and recover. You can barely even get to the hospital doors, and youâre thinking about leaving? Do you even know how dangerous your situation was? It took a lot of people just to get you back alive! Canât you listen for once?"
Jaden was really angry now. How could Xavier be so thick-headed, wanting to leave the hospital when he was still injured?
Xavier was stunned by Jadenâs sudden outburst. It took a moment for him to realize what had just happened. His eyes welled up with tears, and he cried, "I donât want you taking care of me anymore! Go away, youâre so mean to me!"
Jaden, shocked, couldnât help but laugh. He was the one getting scolded for speaking loudly? But seeing Xavierâs tears made him soften his tone. "Iâm not mad at you. Youâre seriously hurt. You need to rest. You just woke up; how can you leave? Your parents will be fine."
"You are mad at me! Youâre always bullying me! You just like yelling at me to show off how loud your voice is! You think youâre so impressive, huh?" Xavier shot back, still crying, continuing his rant. "Youâre always picking on me, you bully!"
"I..."
"Whatâs with you? Yelling at me one minute, scolding me the next, and now youâre ready to bite my head off? Why donât you just kill me already?"
"Itâs not..."
"Not what? Dare to say you havenât been harsh with me? Men are all the same!"