Chapter 1050: Back to the Villa

In the hallway, Besse paused, her hand on the wheelchair's push handle. She saw Oscar, one floor above. They hadn't met in a month. This encounter, unless Oscar had deliberately sought her out, would be their only chance. Salem was with him, holding Oscar's hand. Besse hesitated, unsure where to focus her gaze. A torrent of emotions surged toward Salem, threatening to overwhelm her, while she instinctively wished to avoid Oscar.

"Sal said you might be in danger, so I came to check on you," Oscar explained, appearing as if from nowhere. He continued, "Manuel's with Susan for her prenatal checkup, and Theodore's not here, so I came instead."

Oscar glanced at Doyle's ward before returning his attention to Besse, who sat impassively. "It seems everything's fine."

"Hmm... everything is fine," Besse replied.

Oscar nodded slightly. "Well then, I'll leave now." He turned and left without looking back. Salem glanced at Besse before following.

"You can stay here if you want," Oscar suggested to Salem.

"No, you should take care of him yourself; don't pass your duty to someone else."

Oscar's lips tightened at the rebuke. He'd wanted Salem to stay with Besse as long as possible before her departure, but her rejection was clear. Perhaps Besse and Doyle would be disturbed by Salem's presence; they deserved their time together after what they'd endured.

He nodded. "Sorry."

Besse felt a sharp pang of sorrow; she saw the boy's frustration. Her earlier explanation to Salem about her physical condition had apparently failed to fully alleviate his concern, and now this rejection caused him further pain. He'd said he'd choose his father. Oscar should accept his paternal responsibilities.

Suppressing her emotions, Besse said nothing. Pushing the wheelchair, she passed them.

"I'll be discharged the day after tomorrow and go back to Jolencami," she announced.

Oscar froze, and Salem's face fell.

"Miss Besse, are you leaving the day after tomorrow?" Salem asked. Despite her rejection, he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving.

"Uh-huh," Besse nodded.

"Will you come back here? Will I be able to see you again?" Salem asked anxiously.

Besse bit her lip, replying flatly, "No, I won't come back." She avoided the question of future meetings.

"You won't come here anymore?" Salem's eyes reddened. He didn't understand his own reluctance; he wanted to beg her to stay.

The sight of Salem's distress was agonizing for Besse. She longed to touch his face, hold him close, but instead, she cruelly pushed the wheelchair away, unable to cope with the immutable.

Oscar watched her leave, silently wishing her happiness, even if it meant losing her. He didn't believe he deserved to ask her to stay. This was his self-comforting rationale.

Besse returned to her ward, lying silently on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts were a chaotic jumble.

After some time, a sudden knock startled her.

"Besse, are you leaving?!"

Besse looked up to see Susan, followed by Manuel.

"Yeah, Doyle will check on me tomorrow. If everything's okay, we'll leave for Jolencami."

"You're leaving again!" Susan sighed, her sorrow evident. She'd heard the news from Oscar's ward.

"Uh-huh," Besse offered a faint smile, hiding her emotions. "I've left several times before; hopefully, this time we'll leave smoothly." Their previous departures had always been thwarted.

Susan laughed. "Looks like God wants you to stay here," she teased.

Besse felt a strange flutter in her chest.

"By the way, how was your checkup?" Besse asked, changing the subject.

"It went well," Susan replied proudly. "The doctor praised me for not being fussy and said I should have no problem with a natural birth."

Besse touched Susan's belly. "You have to keep it up!"

"Of course! I don't want a C-section scar ruining my bikini body," Susan joked.

Manuel rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, those scars would be pretty ugly," Besse agreed, then changed the subject again. "Oh, I left something at the villa. Can you come with me to get it?"

"What did you leave behind?" Susan frowned. "If your leg's bothering you, let Manuel go."

Before Besse could reply, Manuel interjected, "It's better if we go together. We might not find it otherwise."

"It's not that big a house! What are you trying to pull, Manuel? Besse is my friend!" Susan huffed.

Besse felt embarrassed.

"Never mind, it's private. I'll go myself. Don't worry," Besse said. Susan agreed, criticizing Manuel briefly. Besse suspected Manuel knew more than he let on—perhaps everything.