Chapter 18
At that moment, hatred boiled inside me. Hayden had always looked down on me—so why did he take it upon himself to touch me? Especially like that, in the car. When we got married, I had imagined our first time together. I never thought it would end up like this. Just as I was clenching my teeth in frustration, I caught Hayden mumbling in his sleep, "Yvonne, don't cry."
His voice was soft, but his words hit me like a freight train. I stared at him in disbelief, trying to figure out if I had misheard. He said nothing more. I sat quietly, unsure how much time had passed, until I finally let out a long sigh. There was no point in dwelling on it; things were what they were. Besides, Hayden and I had been married for a year—who would believe we were still innocent? At least now, I didn’t owe him anything.
Wiping away a tear, I drove to a private hospital owned by Parker Group. The director personally conducted Hayden’s checkup, anxious about even the smallest mistake. Even though I was angry at Hayden, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening to him. I had tried to get his attention countless times, but he always brushed me off. Yet today, his handsome face looming over me was burned into my mind. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, eager to banish those mortifying thoughts.
Before long, the director, Henry Hoffman—around Xander’s age and a close friend—found me. From his expression, it seemed Hayden was alright. “Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker’s not in any danger—he’s just worn out and passed out,” he reassured me.
I was taken aback. Ed feared Hayden might be seriously ill, but it was just fatigue? Then it hit me why he might be so tired, and my face warmed with embarrassment. But it wasn’t something I could easily hide from a doctor. Soon, Henry said tactfully, “Mrs. Parker, sometimes couples benefit from exploring… extracurricular methods to spice things up, but moderation is key.”
I froze—extracurricular methods? I knew nothing about them. I couldn’t explain myself, so I awkwardly admitted, “Will it harm his health?”
“Not if he’s had his fill,” Henry replied, looking me over. “Are you alright? How about I have the OB-GYN check you out? Given Mr. Parker’s condition…”
“I’m fine!” The words burst out before I could stop them, cutting Henry off. If this continued, I’d have a hard time saving face.
Henry paused, likely piecing things together, then smiled. “Well then, you should go see Mr. Parker. He hasn’t woken up yet.” As I turned to leave, he called Xander to share the news, excitedly mentioning the soon-to-arrive Parker grandson.
I walked into the ward, the strong smell of disinfectant filling my nostrils. Hayden lay on the bed, serene with his eyes closed, like a prince in a deep slumber. Even unconscious, he exuded elegance and dignity. That familiar sight brought back memories of two months ago, when I traveled abroad to care for him after a car accident that left him in a coma.
I’d been there for him day and night, holding his hand, chatting about Elysiumville. Even though Hayden never woke or spoke to me, those moments were precious, held close to my heart. Reflecting on them now, a profound sadness washed over me. I had loved Hayden for a decade, yet it felt like I could only be near him when he was unconscious. Was this truly love—being so humble? But now, even that humility had been taken from me.
Suddenly, Joanna flashed into my mind. I remembered Hayden had only consumed a cup of coffee I’d given him, one Joanna had prepared. Could Joanna have slipped something into it? Why would she want him incapacitated? The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I grew. Weren’t she and Hayden supposed to be close? Did she really need to drug him? I wanted to ask Hayden, but he remained unresponsive.
After an agonizing hour, Joanna burst in. “Hayden!” she cried, her sweet voice filled with panic, as if she were his wife. Just moments ago, she’d called him “Mr. Parker”; now it was the intimate “Hayden.” It felt odd, sending chills down my spine. While I was lost in thought, Joanna rushed to the bedside and dissolved into tears. “What happened to you?”
Richard followed, looking anxious. “Is Mr. Parker okay, Mrs. Parker? I just heard you were at the hospital.” Richard worked closely with Hayden as his assistant and secretary; he knew Hayden’s schedule intimately.
“It’s nothing serious. He just needed rest,” I replied, deliberately omitting the drugging incident. It wasn’t a proud moment; no need to broadcast it. Joanna, however, was the one who triggered all this.
“What do you mean nothing! He was perfectly fine this morning. What happened to him?” Joanna suddenly burst out. Her eyes widened, and I felt she was hiding something. If she had indeed drugged Hayden, her panic made perfect sense. And it wasn’t some ordinary drug.
Since I had questions for her, I turned to Richard. “Could you give us a moment?”
“Sure,” Richard nodded, leaving without question, even closing the door considerately. No wonder he could work so closely with Hayden—he knew when to keep things private.
In an instant, only Joanna and I remained, our eyes locked in an intense stare. “I heard you were taking care of Hayden abroad two months ago,” I began, needing clarity.
Joanna’s face faltered, then she quickly averted her gaze. “Yeah, why do you ask?”
I pressed on. “From the time he was in a coma until he woke up, only half a month passed. How many days did you actually care for him?” I knew I’d been by Hayden’s side the whole time. If Joanna had any involvement, it would have only been on the last day. I was baffled why Nevin made it seem like Joanna was the one constantly caring for Hayden.
Joanna struggled to meet my gaze, her fluster growing. After a long pause, she shifted gears, irritation creeping into her voice. “Why are you asking? Trying to push me out while Hayden’s still unconscious? That won’t work.”