Chapter 10: Kneel and apologize
At the City Hospital...
Elena stood in front of Tessa, who smirked at her mockingly. Her fingers twitched at her sides. She wanted nothing but to slap her.
"Apologize," said Noah with finality.
Tessa instantly lowered her gaze, her expression turning fragile and pitiful. "It’s okay, Noah. Don’t force her. I don’t need a fake apology."
"She has to apologize," Noah said sternly, keeping his eyes on Elena. "She pushed you, hurt you in front of so many people. She embarrassed the whole family."
Elena sneered. "You didn’t even check the footage. Without knowing the truth, you have already decided I am guilty."
Noah stepped toward her and grabbed her hand with a bruising grip.
"Don’t create a scene," he said under his breath, but the sharpness in her voice was still there. "She is a heart patient. Because of what happened last night, she almost had a heart attack. Say sorry and end this."
Elena twisted her wrist and broke free from his grip. "I am your wife. And you trust an outsider over me."
Noah’s expression faltered.
"You didn’t even try to find out the truth," she added fiercely. "You believed her without question."
Noah was silent. For the first time, hesitation crossed his face. He thought he should have checked the footage.
Tessa caught it instantly. She feared he would listen to Elena. If he checked the footage, her lies would be exposed.
"Uh," she whimpered, clutching her chest.
Noah’s attention snapped back to her instantly. "What happened?"
He rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her. He was so panicked that he forgot Elena was still there.
"Does it hurt? Tell me."
Tessa leaned into him weakly. "It hurts."
She glanced up at Elena, smirking sneakily.
"I’ll call the doctor." Noah ran out instantly.
When they were alone, Tessa dropped the act and revealed her cunning face. A smug, venomous smile appeared on her lips.
"Now you see how worried he is about me," she said confidently. "He stayed with me the entire night, held me close... He didn’t care what happened to you."
Her gaze dropped to the gauze wrapping around Elena’s hand. "He pushed you, but he brought me to the hospital. Doesn’t that tell you everything? You are nothing to him."
Elena kept staring at her sharply. She wanted to retaliate, but she couldn’t—because it was true.
Her chest felt hollow.
"Why are you still with him?" Tessa continued. "Clinging to him shamelessly? Why don’t you leave him?"
Elena snorted. "Tell him to let me go," she challenged. "Tell him not to bother me anymore. If he agrees, I’ll leave."
Noah entered the room and heard the last word. His eyebrows creased together. Something akin to panic stirred in his chest at the thought of Elena leaving him.
"Where are you going?" he asked, striding toward her.
Elena, caught off guard, remained silent.
"She said she wants to leave," Tessa chimed in.
He breathed a small sigh, relief spreading within him. It was just her tantrum.
’She wants to escape without apologizing.’
This was what he thought.
’She will never leave me. She can’t.’
He was confident about it. The next moment, his glare sharpened.
"You are not going anywhere. Not until you apologize to her."
He leaned over and said in a warning tone, "Don’t make this difficult, Elena. Do as I say, or your aunt will suffer?"
Elena’s fists at her sides trembled. Tears gathered in her eyes. Helplessness washed over her like a tide she couldn’t fight.
In the meantime, the doctor entered.
Noah went to Tessa’s side. "Check her. She was complaining about chest pain."
The doctor examined her.
Tessa gave him a meaningful look. A silent understanding passed between them.
The doctor nodded subtly. "Her condition is still unstable," he said. "Avoid stressing her. Keep her happy. This will help in improving her condition."
"I understand," Noah said. "I’ll keep that in mind."
As the doctor left, Noah returned his focus to Elena. "You heard him. She is sick. And I promised I would take care of her."
Elena sneered inwardly. ’You also promised my father to take care of me.’
But that promise meant nothing to him now.
"You hurt her," he said again. "And you should take the responsibility."
Elena closed her eyes briefly. She didn’t want to drag this matter further. She didn’t have the strength. Her aunt’s treatment shouldn’t stop.
"I am sorry," she muttered.
"Uh?" Tessa raised an eyebrow. "What? I didn’t hear you."
𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Elena shot her a stern glare. "I said I’m sorry."
This time, her voice rose slightly.
Tessa recoiled, pretending to be frightened. "Noah, I am scared. I don’t want her apology."
"Calm down." Noah caressed her hair. "I’ll make her apologize properly. Tell me, what do you want?"
Tessa’s eyes flickered with malice, but it was only for a fraction of a second. "Are you sure?" she asked with uncertainty in her tone. "She is your wife. What if she targets me again?"
"Even if she is my wife, she can’t hurt people." Noah threw a hard look at Elena. "Kneel and apologize."
"What?" Elena couldn’t believe it. "You want me to kneel?"
"You heard me." Noah’s expression hardened further. "Don’t test my patience."
Elena didn’t kneel. She had agreed to apologize, but this...
This was humiliation.
Tessa put a hand on his shoulder. "Let it go, Noah. Don’t pressure her."
"She will do it." Noah took his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number.
He said in a stern voice, "Dr. Black, how is Sarah’s condition now?"
Elena’s face paled instantly. She shook her head, tears pricking her eyes.
"Don’t," she whispered. "Please. I’ll kneel."
She dropped to her knees slowly.
"Yes, take care of her," Noah said. "Make sure her treatment continues smoothly."
He ended the call.
Elena’s heart felt like it was being crushed. For Tessa, he had not hesitated to threaten her.
She was even more determined to leave him and marry a stranger.
"I am sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Forgive me."
Tessa scoffed in her mind. She enjoyed watching her being defeated.
’This is just the beginning,’ she muttered to herself. ’I’ll make you regret every moment.’
Elena raised her tear-filled eyes at Noah. "Can I leave now, Mr. Sinclair?"
The distance in her words struck him. Noah’s chest tightened.
It was the first time she addressed him so formally. The pain and hopelessness in her eyes twisted something inside him.
He rose from the bed. Before he could step toward her, Tessa grabbed his wrist.
"Noah, I feel uncomfortable."
Noah looked back at her, hesitated. Part of him wanted to help Elena, while the other part was worried about Tessa.
Elena wiped her tears away and stood up. She strode out, not even glancing at them.
Watching her leave, restless energy gripped his heart. He shook off Tessa’s hands and hurried out.
"Noah?" Tessa called, but he was already out of the room. "Ugh..."
She slammed her fists against the mattress. "Elena, you bitch. I’ll never let you get him."
Outside the room...
Noah hurried after Elena and caught her arm. "Listen to me."
"What else is left to say?" Elena snapped. "You already forced me to kneel and apologize. You got what you wanted."
Noah pulled her into his arms. "I know you are upset. But you hurt her first. Tessa is in this condition because of me. I feel guilty. That’s why I am taking care of her."
Elena didn’t move. She didn’t push him away, nor did she argue.
"Give me some time," he added, his tone softening. "I’ll arrange a heart transplant. Once it’s done, I’ll send her abroad."
He cupped her face, searching her eyes. "You have me. And I’ll always be by your side. You don’t have to feel insecure."
Elena wanted to laugh.
’By my side?’
When she bled, he left her. When she needed him the most, he chose someone else. And now, he pretended to be by her side.
She was tired of his lies.
"I understand," she muttered, pushing his hands away.
Noah let out a sigh. "Go home. I’ll come tonight."
Elena turned to leave. He grabbed her hand and stopped her again.
"Wait for me, okay?"
Elena didn’t look back at him. "Okay."
With that, she walked away.
Noah stood there, watching her departing form. ’I’ll make it up to you. Just wait patiently.’