Chapter 226
In the sterile confines of the hospital, under the vigilant gaze of Samuel, a female doctor meticulously attended to every wound on Layla's body, ensuring not a single scrape was overlooked.
Once the doctor had completed her task, Samuel scrutinized her work, his eyes scanning over every bandage and dressing. Only when he was satisfied did he give a nod of approval. Layla could distinctly hear the sigh of relief that escaped the doctor's lips.
Layla found herself puzzled. Why would this man, who had shown her nothing but cruelty of late, suddenly display such concern over her minor injuries? Could it be that Samuel was suffering from a split personality disorder?
Despite her confusion, Layla couldn't help but worry about his injuries. "Your wounds are still bleeding," she pointed out, her voice laced with concern.
Samuel dismissed her with a curt, "It's nothing," without even sparing her a glance.
Layla was taken aback. Here was Samuel, severely injured yet dismissing his own pain, while fussing over her minor scrapes. She wanted to confront him, to ask him outright what he was playing at.
She had finally made up her mind to sever all ties with him. She couldn't afford to waver now. She clenched her fist in determination. No, she wouldn't waver.
"Please help him bandage his wounds," she requested the doctor, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor, seemingly overwhelmed by Samuel's imposing presence, sought his approval with a questioning look. Seeing no objection from him, she moved to fetch the necessary supplies.
"Are you concerned about me?" Samuel asked, his voice barely concealing his surprise.
"I just don't want to owe anyone a favor. Besides, I didn't ask you to save me," Layla retorted, her tone icy.
Samuel's heart pounded in his chest as he sat next to Layla. He had so much he wanted to say, yet the words wouldn't come. They seemed to get stuck in his throat every time he looked at her.
Perhaps it was the intensity of Samuel's gaze that made Layla uncomfortable. She averted her eyes, her pupils dull and devoid of any spark. Had she completely given up on him?
Samuel was acutely aware of the pain he had caused Layla. Despite her attempts to understand his troubles, he had only managed to inflict more pain on her. Seeing her look at him with such indifference was more than he could bear.
"Your body has just recovered, you should rest properly..." he began, only to be cut off.
"I just want to work hard."
"I can give you..."
"Don't talk about giving me money," Layla interrupted, her voice urgent. "It makes our relationship feel like a transaction." She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "Even if I am just a pawn in your eyes, at least my feelings were genuine." Her voice wavered, betraying her attempt to feign indifference.
"It is my debt to you, consider it a compensation."
"Our relationship was consensual, there is no such thing as compensation," Layla retorted, her mind clear on this matter. Even though Samuel had deceived her, she had willingly fallen for it. She could only blame her own naivety, no one else. She would rather forgive herself than harbor resentment.
The more Layla pushed him away, the more distressed Samuel became. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
"Stay away from my world," she replied without hesitation.
The thought of Layla permanently exiting his life sent a wave of panic through him.
"Layla..." he reached out, grabbing her hand.
Layla recoiled as if burned, struggling to free herself. "Let go of me.
"Samuel.
"What are you doing?"
The guilt of being "the other woman" weighed heavily on Layla, making her resistant to Samuel's advances. His actions felt like an insult to her.
"Samuel...
"Let go of me."
"Let her go!" a stern voice commanded.
Anthony stood at the doorway, his usually gentle face contorted in anger. He strode over, grabbing Samuel by the collar.
"Don't touch her!" Anthony's grip was firm, but Samuel refused to back down, pushing him away.
"This is between us, it has nothing to do with you."
"Since the moment you betrayed Layla, it was over between you two, there is no 'you two' anymore!"
"It's none of your business. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have been hurt," Samuel retorted, ready to confront him.
"The injury that Layla has sustained, it's my burden to bear. Yet, you, Samuel, have caused her the deepest pain," Anthony declared, his tone stern and unwavering. "I may not care how you treat me, but I refuse to stand by while you harm Layla and Nora. Who do you believe you're doing this for? You're nothing more than a lowlife."
Samuel's fury ignited like a wildfire. On the surface, Anthony seemed to be the epitome of righteousness, but Samuel knew better. He was convinced that Anthony harbored hidden intentions towards his woman.
Layla was his, and his alone, now and forever.
The mere thought of Layla in Anthony's arms was enough to drive Samuel to the brink of madness. He would never permit such a scenario to unfold.
Layla was his, and his alone!
"You're courting disaster!" Samuel spat out, his fist clenching and flying towards Anthony's face.
"Samuel, stop!" Layla's voice rang out, her body moving instinctively to push him away. "Have you lost your mind? Who do you think you are, resorting to violence?"
Jealousy. It was jealousy that fueled Samuel's rage, a fierce flame that blazed in his eyes.
His woman was not to be touched by another man.
"Move aside!"
"Who do you think you are, striking my friend?"
"If he's your friend, then who am I?"
"You are nobody." Layla's voice wavered, her eyes, red and fierce, bore into Samuel like a wild beast defending its territory.
Nobody?
The word pierced Samuel's heart like a dagger.
Layla was his everything, yet to her, he was nothing.
"Samuel, you need to understand that you were the one who wanted to end things. I respected your wishes and stopped intruding into your life. So why are you behaving like a jealous husband now?" Layla's words were harsh, but necessary. What right did Samuel have to behave this way? Did he see her as his possession? Even if he no longer wanted her, did he still have the right to claim her? If so, he was nothing more than a selfish man.
"Do you want to be with him?" Samuel's finger jabbed in Anthony's direction.
Layla hadn't entertained such a thought.
However, if being with Anthony could serve as a form of revenge, make Samuel taste the pain he had inflicted upon her, and most importantly, put an end to Samuel's obsession, then she was willing to consider it.
When the time called for ruthlessness, Layla would not hesitate!
"Whether it's true or not, you're the last person who has the right to question it," Layla retorted, her tone icy.
Her words left Samuel at a loss for words.
Did Layla truly intend to pursue this path?
Samuel couldn't bear the thought.
It felt as if someone had ripped a rib from his body, the pain was unbearable. He was on the verge of losing his most precious possession.
Anthony stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Layla. His voice was solemn as he addressed Samuel, "You're not worthy of Nora, and you certainly don't deserve Layla. Nora is my beloved sister, and I will do everything within my power to convince her to stay away from you."
"As for Layla... I'm pursuing her. I believe I understand how to cherish her more than you ever did, and I am the one who can truly bring her happiness. If you continue to harass her, consider this a declaration of war against the Holland Group."