Callum was already worried about Elspeth, and the look in his eyes grew colder after he heard how protective Spencer sounded. “I’m talking to my girlfriend here. Why are you interrupting us?”
“I’m not interested in interrupting you guys. I think you should show your girlfriend a little more care after what just happened to her!” Spencer protested.
“Either way, it’s none of your business. Stay out of this!” Callum hissed.
Spencer scoffed. “Do you know what this is? Acid! Do you think it’s a small matter for acid to be poured on one’s arm? The person who stopped the acid from landing on Elspeth is in surgery now. Meanwhile, you’re not doing anything about it, even as her boyfriend. You’re just here questioning her. What a great boyfriend you are!” he hissed.
Callum gazed at the woman before him. There was a glint in his eyes and a sorrow in his gaze. Elspeth was about to call out for him when she felt a tug of pain that shot through her arm. She bent down as she hissed in pain. It hurt so much that cold sweat began to form on her forehead. When Spencer saw her in pain, he hastily asked if she needed a doctor.
She shook her head. When she next looked up, she realized the other man was gone. The door was left slightly open, telling her that someone had just walked out. “He left. I need to find him.”
She had just straightened her figure when Spencer held her back. “Why are you looking for him? He doesn’t even care about your injury.”
“He’s not that type of guy.” Elspeth let out a sigh. She figured there was no point in trying to explain herself when she was in this condition. I might as well look for him after I’ve recovered.
“I wonder how Frank is.” She felt her chest tighten when she recalled how he had leaped forward to protect her. She could still remember the injury on his back. His skin was bloody and raw—just the sight of it had made her heart race with fear. “He should still be in surgery. You know how severe his injuries were. It’s going to take a while before he’s out of the operating room,” Spencer replied.
“I suppose you’re right, but worry not. He’ll recover.” Elspeth’s eyes glinted with tears. It sent a pang to her chest when she thought about how a man as handsome as Frank was going to have a back that was so horribly scarred. Spencer thought she was trying to comfort him, so he flashed her a smile. “It’s fine. I know he’s never going to be completely healed. Fortunately, he was injured on his back. He’d probably cry if he had been splashed on his face.”
“I’m not kidding.” Elspeth gazed at him earnestly.
“Are you serious?” He was stunned. He had never heard anything so ridiculous. “Are you able to make his skin as flawless as before?”
She smiled when she saw the look of surprise on the man’s face. “I never thought I’d see that look of surprise on your face, Spencer. Of course. Have you heard of Sonny?” she asked.
“Do you mean the legendary, mystical Sonny Schwartz?” he asked.
She flashed him an awkward smile when she heard the way he described Sonny. “You’re exaggerating it. He’s my mentor. Can you trust me now?” she asked.
Spencer’s eyes lit up immediately. “You’re Sonny’s student? Can you do me a favor in that case?” he asked.
Elspeth nodded when she saw the hopeful look on the man’s face. “Sure.”
“I… I have a childhood friend who has always struggled with some odd illness. She prefers staying in the dark as she’s afraid of the sunlight. Can you help me to take a look at her?” he asked.
“She’s afraid of light, huh?” She frowned.
“It seems like it. We’ve contacted a lot of hospitals, but no one managed to help her. Can you help me take a look at her condition? She’s a good girl, but she led a really rough life. Her mom passed away when she was young…” Spencer sighed at the thought of his friend’s bitter life.
“Do you like her?” Elspeth teased when she saw the look of concern and heartache on the man’s face.
“No way. I don’t like her romantically. I only care for her like she’s my sister.” He got defensive when he saw the playful smirk on her face. For some reason, he didn’t want her to have such a misunderstanding with him. Elspeth stopped smiling after that. “I’ll try my best. You can bring me to meet her sometime soon.”
“Sure.” After a while, a nurse came over to inform them that Frank had been transferred to the ICU. His family members were all waiting outside the ward. Elspeth felt her heart sink as she thought, Frank is pampered by his family. I bet they’re going to be furious at me.
Spencer noticed how nervous she looked, so he patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll speak up for you. Don’t worry about it,” he uttered. Both of them went over to Frank’s ward. They had just arrived at the entrance when a middle-aged woman rushed over and held her hand up to slap Elspeth. Smack!
The loud slap rang across the hospital’s hallway. Elspeth had enough time to dodge the attack, but when she thought about how Frank was still unconscious in the ward, she forced herself to take the smack. Anya had every reason to be angry at Elspeth—Elspeth was the reason her son was in such a bad condition, after all. Any mother would do what Anya did. “How did my son turn out like that after going out with you for such a short while? You’re a walking curse, Elspeth!”
Elspeth hung her head low, one side of her cheek red and sore. “I’m sorry.” She bit her lip and took in all the other party’s criticisms. Spencer couldn’t bear to see how Elspeth was reprimanded, so he quickly stepped forward to speak up for her, “This wasn’t Elspeth’s fault. Frank was the one who jumped out to protect her. She didn’t do anything wrong.”
Anya scoffed at this. “Hah! Would Frank have had to do that if Elspeth hadn’t done something that triggered others to harm her? She’s the root of all problems!” Right then, Elspeth looked up with an icy look in her eyes. “I admit I was wrong and am willing to treat Frank’s injuries. However, that doesn’t give you the right to shame me like that.”
“Woah. Are you talking back to me now? Well, tell me. How will you heal his scars after acid was splashed on his skin? You sure are talking big!” Anya didn’t believe Elspeth could treat Frank—she assumed that Elspeth was just trying to get away with her faults.
“I’ll suffer as much as Frank did if I fail to heal him completely,” Elspeth vowed. Both Anya and Spencer were equally stunned upon hearing her words. What nonsense is she saying?! “Stop talking nonsense, Elspeth. This isn’t a light matter.” Spencer tried to stop her, but he held his tongue back after Elspeth glared at him.
“I mean what I say.” She sounded so confident that Anya even started questioning herself. “Fine. I’ll give you one month. You’ll have to stick to your end of the promise if you fail to treat him by then.” Anya gave Elspeth a threatening glare.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sweetheart Do You Still Love Me