Free Web NovelChapter 44: Chapter 44 The Accident
Rose’s pupils contracted.
That was exactly what annoyed her most about Ryan—he was always far too perceptive and always went straight to the heart of the matter.
Fortunately, Gabriel’s memory was poor.
He had barely finished one thought before forgetting it entirely.
Holding the scroll containing his late wife’s portrait, he gently stroked it and murmured, "It’s good to have children. The more children you have, the more brothers and sisters you’ll have to look out for each other in the future. Unlike us..."
His voice grew softer. "We’re all alone."
Listening to her grandfather’s rambling words, Rose felt a pang in her chest.
His greatest concern now was still her.
He worried she would be bullied.
He worried she would suffer.
He worried there would be no one left to protect her.
Ryan could tell that Gabriel’s mind was no longer clear.
So he didn’t pursue the meaning behind that word.
Another.
Instead, he stepped forward and placed the scrolls within Gabriel’s reach.
His voice was gentle. "Alright. We’ll do our best."
Rose almost laughed.
Ryan’s ability to play the perfect grandson-in-law truly was remarkable.
When Caleb returned, he instinctively frowned at the sight of Ryan.
Carrying several bags of takeout, he walked inside.
"Mr. Knight, you’re free today?"
There was a hint of awkwardness in his tone.
Ryan remained perfectly composed. "It’s Grandpa’s birthday. Nothing is more important than that."
Caleb glanced at Rose.
He had witnessed everything that had happened at the hotel.
Even now, he was still angry on her behalf.
The entire situation could have been avoided.
Yet Rose had been forced to leave with her grandfather and celebrate his birthday in a nursing-home suite instead.
The Hill family had gone too far.
But the source of the problem had always been Ryan.
"There aren’t any outsiders here."
Rose looked at Ryan calmly.
"If you’re busy, you can leave."
She had no desire for him to stay and continue putting on a performance for her grandfather.
More importantly, she kept checking the time.
Diana had already picked up Ariel.
Rose had sent several WhatsApp messages, but Diana still hadn’t responded.
An uneasy feeling lingered in her chest.
At the very least, she would feel better once Ryan was gone.
Ryan’s gaze settled on her face.
"I’m not busy."
His tone was calm. "I still have time to share a meal with Grandpa."
Rose felt a lump rise in her throat.
Meanwhile, Gabriel beamed. "Ryan is so thoughtful."
Rose was speechless.
She felt as though she were sitting on a bed of nails.
She was happy to see her grandfather smiling.
Yet Ryan’s sudden devotion felt like a guillotine suspended above her neck.
Caleb set the food on the table.
Then he lowered his voice. "What’s wrong?"
Before Rose could answer, Ryan’s phone suddenly rang.
Rose glanced over instinctively.
It was a WhatsApp voice call.
The familiar profile picture immediately told her who it was.
Samantha.
Ryan answered the call and stood up.
Even so, Rose still caught the faint, aggrieved voice coming from the speaker.
"Ryan, please come. Mike and I were hit by a car..."
Ryan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
After a brief pause, he said softly, "Wait for me."
The call ended.
Ryan looked at Rose. "I have something urgent to take care of. We’ll eat together another time."
Rose watched him quietly.
Her heart had long since grown accustomed to this.
There wasn’t even a ripple of disappointment anymore.
"Alright."
She nodded. "Go ahead."
Ryan left in a hurry, his long strides carrying him swiftly away.
Once again, he was rushing to the woman who occupied his heart.
What else had Rose expected?
Whenever Ryan was forced to choose, Samantha would always come first.
Even if, just moments earlier, he had promised to celebrate Gabriel’s birthday.
But that promise only held as long as Samantha didn’t need him.
If Samantha’s situation were truly that serious, would she have been able to call him herself?
But to Ryan, who cherished her like the most precious thing in his life, even the smallest issue became a matter of utmost importance.
Rose picked up a glass of strong liquor and took a sip.
The sharp burn spread down her throat.
This was for the best.
In fact, she should thank Samantha.
Ryan’s attention was completely focused on her.
Which meant Ariel remained safely hidden.
As long as Ryan was with Samantha, there was no chance he would cross paths with Ariel.
"Is something wrong at Knight Corporation?"
Gabriel finally caught on.
His face filled with concern. "Is it serious?"
Rose smiled. "Very serious."
She took another sip. "If he doesn’t go, it’ll feel like the end of the world."
Caleb watched her.
She looked detached.
Almost as though she were discussing a stranger.
A complicated emotion rose within him.
Meanwhile, Rose was genuinely relieved.
At this point, her entire focus was on Ariel.
As long as the divorce proceeded smoothly and there were no custody disputes, Ryan’s choices were his own business.
The moment Ryan left, Rose stood and called Diana.
But before she could dial, Diana’s call came through first.
Rose answered immediately.
"You and Ariel were on your way—"
"Rose."
Diana’s voice sounded strained. "Something happened. Ariel and I were in a car accident."
Rose’s face changed instantly.
******
To keep Gabriel from worrying, Rose asked Caleb to stay behind and keep him company.
Then she hailed a cab and rushed straight to the police station.
By the time Diana called, she was already on her way.
When Rose arrived, Diana was sitting in a chair, looking pale.
Beside her sat a little girl with two low buns.
Her delicate, porcelain-like face framed a pair of beautiful dark eyes with long lashes and perfectly defined double eyelids.
Despite her young age, her nose was strikingly straight, and her features were so refined that even the officers at the station couldn’t resist stopping by to offer her snacks.
The little girl looked exhausted.
Her cheeks were flushed bright red.
The moment Rose saw that Ariel was safe, the suffocating tension in her chest disappeared.
Her voice came out hoarse.
"Sweetheart..."
Ariel immediately looked up.
Her previously listless eyes lit up with excitement.
"Mommy!"
She jumped off her chair, her tiny backpack still hanging from her shoulders.
"I missed you so much!"
She threw herself into Rose’s arms.
Rose crouched down and hugged her tightly.
Only then did her racing heart finally begin to settle.
But as soon as she touched Ariel’s face, her expression changed.
Her cheeks were burning.
"Do you have a fever?"
Rose quickly examined her.
A swollen bump had formed on Ariel’s scalp.
It wasn’t severe, but it wasn’t minor either.
There was also a scrape on her cheek.
Panic immediately gripped her.
"How did you get hurt? Does it still hurt?"
Ariel shook her head at once.
Holding Rose’s face in her little hands, she leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Her voice was soft. "It doesn’t hurt, Mommy."
Then she smiled bravely. "Don’t be scared. Ariel is strong."
Diana stood and walked over.
Her expression was grim. "Rose, this is my fault."
"Ariel must have been frightened, which is why she developed a fever. When I slammed on the brakes to avoid someone, she hit her head against the interior window."
The guilt in Diana’s eyes was unmistakable.
She knew better than anyone that Ariel was Rose’s entire world.
And because of her mistake, Ariel had gotten hurt.
Rose’s thoughts were in complete disarray.
Holding Ariel close, she stood up.
"It was an accident." She shook her head. "Don’t blame yourself."
Then her expression turned serious.
"What exactly happened?"
At the mention of it, Diana’s face darkened. "It was Samantha."
Rose stared at her. "What?"
Diana gritted her teeth. "That little brother of hers runs around like he owns the entire street."
"When I was pulling into the hotel parking lot, Mike suddenly darted out in front of the car."
"I swerved to avoid hitting him."
Her voice grew colder. "The car crashed into a flower bed, and Mike ended up with a few scrapes."
Diana clenched her fists. "And Samantha called the police."
Her expression hardened. "She refuses to settle the matter privately."
