Chapter 199

Chapter 199 Don’t Go Missing Again “Nancy, it’s me.”

When Nicholas’ familiar voice came through, Nancy burst into tears. The days of longing and worry finally found release in this moment.

“Nicholas...” She barely managed to say his name before her voice choked up.

On the other end of the line, all that could be heard were Nancy’s delicate sobs.

Nicholas felt his heart shatter, and he could only console her gently, “Nancy, don’t cry. I’m sorry for making you worry. Don’t worry, I’m fine. Everything is fine here.”

“Why didn’t you answer my calls? Do you know how many times I’ve tried to reach you?” Only now did Nancy finally let out her grievances and worries, letting them flow out freely and unrestrainedly.

“Nicholas, you scared me! Do you have any idea? Do you know how terrified I was? I was afraid something happened to you and I’d never see you again.”

After pouring out her heart, Nancy wiped away her tears, and in a softer tone, she said, “Turn on the camera. I want to see if you’re lying to me. Are you really okay?”

“Alright.”

As she switched to video call and saw Nicholas looking fairly well in a white shirt, Nancy felt a little more at ease.

In an ironic turn of events, the person who was originally concerned now found herself being worried about.

Seeing her, Nicholas asked with concern, “Have you not been eating properly these past few days? Why do you look so thin?”

It was true that Nancy hadn’t been eating well these past few days; she’d been too worried about him. But she didn’t want to burden him with her concerns.

Smiling, Nancy tried to reassure him. “No, it’s probably just the beauty filter on the camera.”

“Whether it is or not, you still need to take care of yourself. It would be best if you become plump and rosy, so I can hug you comfortably when I’m back,” Nicholas insisted.

Nancy chuckled. “Then I’d look like a little pig! Too chubby, and I wouldn’t be nice to look at!”

“No, my Nancy is always the most beautiful, and I like you with some curves. It makes hugging you even more comfortable.”

“You’ve got such a sweet tongue.”

Meanwhile, Madelline sat in her wheelchair.

If she could, she wished she could find a hole to hide in.

She was livid.

To witness the man she had once loved deeply who was now being affectionate with another woman in front of her... What kind of feeling was this?

It was painful, like being struck by a thousand arrows.

This time, she finally understood how it felt.

Before they hung up, Nancy issued another stern warning.

“Nicholas, remember, you’re not allowed to do this again. No disappearing acts, and no ignoring my calls. If you pull this stunt again, I’ll ignore you.”

“Got it, Nancy. I promise,” Nicholas replied.

After ending the call, Nicholas noticed Madelline’s tear-streaked face.

Seeing his gaze, Madelline instinctively turned away. She wiped her tears, apologizing, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t control myself. It’s just... Listening to your conversation suddenly brought back memories. I miss the time when we were still together.” Shortly after that, she quickly realized her slip. “I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have brought up our past. Now, Nancy is your girlfriend.”

“Madelline...” Nicholas sighed and approached her. “There are some things I think I should talk to you about...”

But before he could finish, Madelline suddenly fell to the side.

Caught off guard, Nicholas couldn’t react in time, and Madelline, along with her wheelchair, toppled to the ground.

“Madelline...”

He quickly picked her up, urgently calling for a doctor.

Since they were in the hospital, the doctor arrived promptly.

“How is she?” Nicholas asked the doctor.

After examining Madelline, the doctor stood up. “She fainted from exhaustion. I remember this woman. While you were unconscious, she tirelessly took care of you, not even getting a proper rest or meal. Now that you’re awake, she’s probably at her limit. Women have delicate constitutions. Take good care of her.”

“Alright, thank you, doctor.”

As the doctor turned to leave, she hesitated to say something.

“It’s okay, just say what’s on your mind,” Nicholas encouraged.

The doctor finally spoke up. “During my examination, I found bruises and injuries all over her body. It’s shocking to see so many marks and contusions, with some in more private areas. I don’t know what she’s been through, but if she’s willing to sacrifice her own well-being to stay by your side and wait for you to wake up... I believe you must be very important to her. She has endured a lot. Treat her well, and offer her comfort.”

With that, the doctor left.

Approaching Madelline, Nicholas found her peacefully asleep on the bed.

She looked extremely weary, her face pallid. Not only that, but she had also lost a significant amount of weight.

Standing beside her, Nicholas felt an unprecedented weight on his shoulders. The guilt pressed on him like a rising tide, threatening to engulf him.

Thinking about what the doctor had just revealed, he couldn’t hold back any longer. He gently pushed the sleeves of her shirt.

up When he saw her arms covered in bruises, his heart ached even more. He examined the other arm, and it was even worse.

Nicholas felt a growing sense of heaviness in his heart.

Having reconnected with Nicholas, Nancy finally felt some relief.

When she left her apartment that morning, she was in relatively good spirits. Each passing morning brought her closer to his return, or so she believed.

Little did she know that as soon as she stepped out, she would face a nightmare.

Felix was crouched outside the building, and upon seeing Nancy, he took a big bite of his bread, washed it down with some water, and then dashed toward her like a madman.

Nancy almost instinctively tried to keep her distance from him.

But Felix, like a whirlwind, rushed up to her and directly blocked her way.

“What are you doing here?”

With her path blocked, Nancy had no choice but to stop, looking at him with irritation.

After all these years, she had become accustomed to it.

Whenever Felix sought her out, it was either for a favor or because he was in serious trouble.

Most often, it was for money.

Never once had he approached her for the sake of being a father.

Yet, this time, when Nancy asked him what he wanted, Felix unexpectedly shook his head.

Then, from inside his coat, he pulled out a tightly wrapped package and, with a cheerful grin, handed it to Nancy. “I remembered that you used to love the bread from this place when you were a kid. The lines were so long I had to wait for ages to get them.

I’ve been carrying it around, and it’s still warm. Go on, try it.”

Nancy gazed at him, astonished, trying to comprehend what was unfolding before her.

Felix was actually offering her food?

Her beloved bread?

This couldn’t possibly be real.

It all seemed like a figment of her imagination.

Nancy remained rooted to the spot, lost in a daze, and for a considerable amount of time, she refrained from reaching out to accept it.

Felix chuckled. “What are you doing, standing there like a statue? It’s chilly in the morning. If you don’t eat it now, it will become cold.”

Without waiting for her response, he promptly placed the warm bread in Nancy’s hand.

ΛΙΑ