Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 123: Saving a Person

Raina Reddington’s heart sank. She understood everything.

It was both expected and unexpected.

May Sullivan had been rushed to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Mercy Seas for emergency treatment. Raina had paid for her medical and hospital fees in advance. In her current state, May couldn’t be discharged.

Her condition was getting worse, and they could only provide the most conservative treatment.

May Sullivan could barely eat anything these days. Raina brought a container of pork congee into the hospital room. When May saw her enter, she could only manage to move her arm.

"Auntie, have some congee."

"Raina, Miles called."

Raina placed the congee on the bedside table. "Is he okay?"

"He said he’s fine, but he can’t show himself. It’s just... I’ve been such a bother to you..."

"Auntie, don’t say that. We’re not strangers." Raina sat down by the bed. "You just focus on cooperating with my treatment, so he’ll see a healthy and well you when the time comes."

May Sullivan forced a smile. She knew her own body best. She wasn’t going to get better. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’Those extensive, sweeping searches from before were all to dig up Miles Hawthorne’s whereabouts,’ Raina thought. ’Now that he’s finally surfaced, how could they possibly let him disappear again?’

’Still, being alive is better than never hearing from him at all, right?’

"Raina, do you think I’ll be able to see Miles one last time before I die?"

The take-out container in Raina’s hands nearly slipped and fell. "You’re always letting your mind run wild."

"No, I’m not," May Sullivan had long since seen through it all. "I don’t want to be a burden to Miles anymore. When I die... oh, right, Raina, can my organs still be donated? Is there anything usable? Let’s just donate them all to others."

"Auntie, be more optimistic. I’m a doctor. You have to trust me."

May Sullivan smiled but shook her head. "I just want to see my son before I die."

Raina deftly changed the subject and fed May a few sips of congee. May knew about Raina’s family situation and had always felt for her. Back then, whenever she made something delicious, she would have Miles Hawthorne bring some over to Raina.

"Raina, how about you become my daughter in the next life?"

She wasn’t one to cry, but this time she couldn’t hold back the tears. They streamed down her face. "Okay, it’s a deal then."

"It’s a deal."

「Stoneworth’s spring was short, slipping away in the span of one or two months like a flick of the fingers.」

The air conditioning in the office was set very low, so much so that Raina had to wear long pants to get used to the temperature.

Around noon, Annabelle Spencer called Raina Reddington. As soon as she started talking, she was her usual chirpy self. "Raina, let’s go sing tonight!"

"Not going."

"Aww, come on. I haven’t seen you in months."

Raina pulled out a wet wipe and was focused on scrubbing a small stain on her desk. "You still dare to go to that kind of place? You really never learn."

"I’ve got a boyfriend! Well, we’re still in the trial phase, but I want you to meet him."

Raina’s wiping motion stopped. "Really?"

"Why would I lie to you about something like this?"

"Alright then, where to?"

Annabelle Spencer, newly fallen in love, was practically bubbling with little red hearts. Her voice had a coquettish lilt. "The Regalia Palace."

"That place is crazy expensive. You have the money?"

"As it so happens, my boyfriend’s family owns it."

Raina didn’t ask any more questions. "Fine. If it’s your family’s place, then I’ll go."

The Regalia Palace was also a high-end club. Annabelle had always talked about landing a rich husband, and it looked like her wish had come true.

Annabelle Spencer arrived before Raina Reddington. After parking her car, Raina walked over and saw her standing with a man.

"Raina."

Raina waved at her. Just as she came to a stop in front of Annabelle, Annabelle grabbed her arm and made the introduction. "This is Hugo Hayes."

"Hello."

The man gave Raina a slight nod. "Hello, Mrs. Lancaster."

Hearing this form of address, Raina’s expression tightened slightly. Noticing this, Annabelle pulled her inside.

"Let’s have dinner first, then sing."

After having dinner with them, Hugo Hayes arranged for a private room and left them to enjoy themselves.

The manager was exceptionally polite to Annabelle Spencer, terrified of providing anything less than perfect service. As Raina passed the restroom, she handed her bag to Annabelle. "I’m going to wash my hands."

"The room is right over there. I’ll go inside and wait for you."

"Mmm."

Raina walked over. Her hands felt a little sticky, so she turned on the faucet to rinse them. From deeper inside the restroom, she could faintly hear some noises.

"So you’re trying to compete with me? Don’t you have eyes in your head?"

This was followed by the sound of successive slaps and someone’s stifled sobs. Raina pulled out a paper towel to dry her hands.

"Once you step foot in a place like this, you’d better know your place..."

"Exactly. Bitch."

’They’re all women,’ Raina’s brow furrowed, ’so why can they be so vile when insulting someone else?’ She took a step further inside and saw a young girl, who looked to be just barely an adult, cornered against a wall while several others were slapping her face.

"Got it now? Be smarter in the future."

This was why Raina had a natural aversion to places like this. No matter how luxuriously they were decorated, they could never hide the darkness in their corners.

"Stop," her voice was laced with a certain coldness. "What are you doing?"

The group of attackers turned around one by one. Seeing how Raina was dressed, they figured she was a customer. And naturally, they couldn’t afford to offend a customer.

However, one of them still stepped forward. "She doesn’t know the rules, so we’re just teaching her."

"What kind of ’good rules’ could a place like this have? If someone really needs to be taught a lesson, I can call the police for you."

"Ingrid, forget it." Her companion pulled on Ingrid Quinn’s arm.

Raina watched them leave. As Ingrid Quinn passed her, she paused to look at her. A mouthful of curses rose to her throat, but she swallowed them back down after meeting Raina’s gaze.

The girl who had been cornered crouched down, covered her face, and began to cry bitterly.

Raina didn’t step forward. "What’s there to cry about? Either leave this place or learn to suck it up. Your legs are your own. There’s no such thing as having no choice."

She turned and started to walk out. After just two steps, she nearly collided with someone who was walking in.

Raina was somewhat distracted and didn’t look up. "Sorry."

The man grabbed her arm. Thinking she had run into some sleazy customer, Raina shook him off without hesitation.

"Raina."

Hearing the voice, Raina finally looked up. Ethan Lancaster was studying her expression. "What are you doing here?"

"I came with a friend." Raina was about to leave after saying this, but the girl who had been cornered came out, clutching her face. Seeing Raina was still there, she hurried forward a few steps. "Thank you for saving me just now."

Raina said expressionlessly, "There’s no need. I didn’t do anything for you."

The girl’s face was badly swollen, and blood was trickling from the corner of her mouth. It was clear her attackers hadn’t held back. "If it weren’t for you, they might have beaten me to death."

"They wouldn’t dare." Raina’s demeanor was cold and distant, clearly not wanting to get too close to anyone.

A cold sneer touched the corner of Ethan Lancaster’s lips. He saw Annabelle Spencer come out of the private room, looking for Raina. Having nothing more to say to him, Raina walked straight over to her friend.