Chapter 934

Jealousy rendered people unrecognizable, and Joe, in his current position, was a prime target. No wonder Gloria felt he was lonely; how could he not be, surrounded by family members scheming against him out of envy?

Skylar waited fifteen minutes beside Paul before meeting Joe. He was shirtless, his body heavily bandaged. Initially surprised to see her, Joe then glared at Paul, who, having summoned Skylar without permission, felt diffident and avoided Joe's gaze. "I'll buy you a large shirt, Mr. Martin," he mumbled, escaping immediately.

"Do we need to fill out the admission paperwork now?" Skylar's trembling voice betrayed her nervousness to the doctor. Paul's description had prepared her for stab wounds, but the severity of Joe's injuries was shocking.

"Thankfully, his vital organs were unharmed," the doctor explained. "His seven wounds have been stitched. He needs a two-day hospital stay. You'll need to care for him; the nurses will change his bandages daily."

"Alright, I will. Thank you," Skylar replied, immediately nodding.

After the doctor left, she approached Joe. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm alright," he murmured, his pallor and weakness belying his words. He didn't want Skylar to see his vulnerability. The thought of Paul revealing this to her ignited annoyance. It seemed she already knew the source of his injuries, and the messy family dynamics that caused them.

"Take a nap," Skylar said gently. "I'll be in the next bed. Call me if you need anything."

Joe was unaccustomed to being cared for, to exposing his vulnerabilities. However, sleep-deprived and exhausted, he grudgingly accepted her presence, finding some solace in her company. Sleep soon claimed him.

Skylar, however, remained awake in the adjacent bed. She observed his bandages and the blood-soaked clothes discarded nearby, their original appearance lost. The possibility of a different outcome—a stab wound to a vital organ—sent a pang of fear through her heart.

She eventually fell into a restless sleep, plagued by worry for Joe. A knock at the door roused her from a light slumber. It was the middle of the night. A nurse would be unlikely.

The knocking persisted, escalating to pounding after the initial lack of response. A grim expression settled on Skylar's face. She glanced at Joe, then rose to answer the door. Just as she reached it, Joe's voice, surprisingly strong and alert, cut through the silence: "Turn on the lights."

"Alright," Skylar responded, turning on the lights before opening the door, casting a final glance at Joe.