Marrying His Nemesis: Kicking My Scumbag Fiancé Away!-Chapter 41: Hope He... Likes This Kiss!

"Just this once, please?"

Her fingers gently brushed the new white hair at Theodore Thorne’s temple. Seraphina pleaded softly, her voice full of tenderness.

Listening to her, both the doctor and nurse felt a pang in their chests.

Even though they didn’t hold out much hope, their eyes still turned to Theodore’s hand.

After lying in bed so long, the man’s hand was pale, almost no fat beneath the skin, looking somewhat aged.

Just as the doctors were about to give up and leave—

Theodore’s middle finger twitched, just a little.

It was such a tiny movement, but the doctor and nurse both noticed. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

A look of surprise appeared on both their faces.

"Amazing, the patient is showing voluntary response... This really is a miracle, an absolute miracle!" The doctor was as excited as his words, "Miss Thorne, please wait here, I’ll contact the head doctor immediately for another consultation for Mr. Thorne."

He quickly explained to Seraphina, then the on-duty doctor turned and rushed out of the ward.

"Hurry, call the director, ask him to come over... Yes... right now, immediately!"

Once a patient starts to show conscious responses, treatment enters an entirely new phase—medication and medical plans all need to be changed.

Seraphina bent down, carefully hugging her father’s shoulders.

"I knew it—Daddy loves me best."

Theodore’s eyes were still closed, but his right hand, held by Seraphina, squeezed her fingers ever so slightly, as if trying hard to hold onto her hand.

Past nine in the evening, Theodore’s attending physician hurried to the hospital and entered Theodore’s ward.

With him came several other department doctors for joint consultation.

The resident doctor was about to report Theodore’s status to the group when a nurse pushed open the ward door.

"Director Vance, Dr. Bennett from First General Hospital is here."

Dr. Bennett?

Seraphina turned and saw Dr. Bennett’s familiar, gentle smile. She hurried over to greet him.

"Dr. Bennett, you came too?"

"Mr. Thorne is my patient. I heard he’s showing signs of consciousness, so of course I had to come by and check in." Dr. Bennett explained, smiling.

"Thank you!" Seraphina was so moved she barely knew what to say. "I just... I’m truly grateful you could come!"

"Bennett, what a stroke of luck you’re here," Director Vance said, grinning as he shook Dr. Bennett’s hand by Theodore’s bedside. "I was about to call you for advice!"

Dr. Bennett humbly waved it off. "No need for advice—if I can help in any way, I’m glad to."

...

The two doctors were colleagues and had met before.

When Theodore was transferred between hospitals earlier, they’d directly handed over his case, so they were quite familiar.

The resident doctor briefly explained Theodore’s condition, and Dr. Bennett along with the other consultants immediately started discussing by the bed.

They spoke in technical terms that Seraphina could barely follow.

She couldn’t help feeling curious.

If Director Vance hadn’t called, how did Dr. Bennett hear about her father?

As the conversation continued, Director Vance suddenly chuckled and tapped his forehead.

"Look at me, all caught up with the patient—forgot to offer Dr. Bennett some tea. Dr. Bennett, let’s sit in my office and go over everything!"

"No need for all the ceremony, we’re all here for the patient," Dr. Bennett waved him off good-naturedly.

"Come on, don’t be polite," Director Vance said, steadying his arm. "Miss Thorne, please stay here. When we finalize the plan, we’ll speak with you."

"Alright," Seraphina nodded, "Thank you, everyone."

She walked everyone out of the room, and just then—the familiar sound of coughing came from the end of the hallway. She whipped around.

Down the corridor, beside the open window, letting in a breeze—

A familiar figure stood with his back to her, on the phone.

Just one look, and Seraphina knew it was Ethan Sterling.

No wonder Dr. Bennett came—Ethan must have called him.

"Please take care of my dad!"

She quickly instructed the care worker, then turned and raced down the hallway toward Ethan.

Ethan saw her running over, phone still in hand, and immediately asked, concern in his voice.

"What happened?"

Seraphina lifted her face, gazing up at him.

Suddenly, she stepped forward and hugged him.

"Seraphina?" Ethan was startled. "What’s going on?"

"I..." Seraphina lifted her face from his arms, her eyes shining with the gleam of tears, but her lips were curled in a smile, "I’m just... so happy. And I... I feel so lucky... I..."

Ever since Theodore’s accident, up till now—

She’d lived every day in fear, terrified disaster would strike.

Every day, she had to quietly encourage herself—there was still hope, she had to hold on.

Until today, until just now...

She could finally breathe easy.

Seraphina felt more than happiness—she felt the relief of someone who’d survived catastrophe, who had lived through darkness and finally saw dawn.

Even Seraphina herself couldn’t put such feelings into words.

Thank goodness she hadn’t given up.

Thank goodness her dad hadn’t given up, either.

Ethan let out a slow breath, not even noticing he was still on the phone.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest, his broad hand gently stroking her hair.

"You don’t have to say anything. I get it, I... understand!"

Seraphina said no more, just clung tightly to his waist, letting her tears spill.

Ethan didn’t try to stop her.

He’d felt this kind of pain himself.

Sadly, he wasn’t as lucky as Seraphina—his mother hadn’t had Theodore’s luck.

He knew she’d held back too long, she needed to let it out.

So, he just held her with one arm, lightly patting her back, letting her tears soak his shirt.

After a long moment, Seraphina finally finished crying.

Spotting the soaked area on Ethan’s black shirt, she embarrassedly dabbed her face.

"Sorry... I kind of lost control."

"I’m pretty sure I told you—I hate ’thank you’ and ’sorry’ most."

"So..." Seraphina bit her lip, "I’ll buy you a new shirt next time, deal?"

Ethan raised his right hand, pinched her nose with a handkerchief and wiped it clean.

"That’s better."

His words sounded sharp, but his movements were gentle.

She realized he’d just wiped her nose; her face went scarlet, and she quickly grabbed the handkerchief to clean herself.

After briefly asking about Theodore’s condition, Ethan glanced at his watch.

"I can’t do much here anyway, and I have work at the company—I’ll head back, call me if you need anything."

Zenith Group was in a crucial period of acquisition lately, and he’d been busy nonstop these few days.

Seraphina nodded, and as Ethan turned to leave, he paused and looked back after a few steps.

"Remember to eat later. You’re so scrawny, hugging you is like holding a stick—hurts my arms!"

"You’re the stick," Seraphina shot back with a playful glare, then added, "Be careful driving."

Ethan waved her off, turning for the elevators.

As she watched him step into the elevator, Seraphina suddenly recalled something.

"Wait!"

She called, dashing after him.

Ethan stepped forward, holding the elevator door open with his right hand.

Standing outside the elevator, Seraphina caught her breath.

The word "thank you" was at the tip of her tongue, but she forced it back down.

He’d said he didn’t like "thank you" and "sorry."

Ethan had done so much for her, and a mere "thank you" could never capture what she felt.

All Seraphina could do was try her best to make him happy.

Gripping his shoulder, she stepped forward on her toes, reached out, tugged down his mask, and kissed him on the lips.

She hoped...

He’d like this kiss!

Ethan was stunned for a moment.

She’d run all this way—just to kiss him?

Seeing Ethan frown at her, Seraphina blinked at him playfully, childlike.

"Don’t worry about catching anything from me—I got a flu shot!"

Inside the elevator, behind Ethan, two young nurses holding charts and trays couldn’t help but giggle.