Chapter 510: What Does This Mean?

Anne Sutton smiled. “And why should I believe a word you say?”

Nathan Fawcett grasped her hand. “Alright, alright, I know I was wrong. Cut me some slack. Look, everyone from your hospital is watching and laughing at us.”

Anne Sutton glanced over her shoulder and, sure enough, saw a few nurses staring, enjoying the spectacle.

She shot him a look and went with him to get the check-up.

While Nathan Fawcett went for his check-up, Anne Sutton waited outside.

It had been a month. She had no idea how he’d been holding up.

‘She was so worried.’

Although she acted like she wanted nothing to do with him, she was actually deeply concerned.

After a series of tests that took a considerable amount of time, the hospital staff worked overtime to rush out the results.

Anne Sutton took them to Anna Linden.

Anna Linden’s expression grew grim the moment she looked at them.

Anne asked, “How is it? Is it serious?”

Anna Linden looked up at Anne. “Where is he?”

“He’s outside,” Anne said.

“Tell him to come in,” Anna Linden said.

Anne went and called Nathan Fawcett in.

Nathan Fawcett walked in and saw his mother. “Mom.”

Anna Linden stared at him. “Looks like you’ve been living it up this past month! Nathan Fawcett, are you actively trying to destroy your own body?”

“It’s nothing,” Nathan Fawcett said. “I feel perfectly fine.”

“Is that so?” Anna Linden looked at him, finding his words utterly ridiculous.

Nathan Fawcett said, “Mom, my wife is here. Don’t scare her.”

Hearing this, Anne Sutton glanced at him.

Anna Linden said, “I’m saying this precisely so Anne can hear it and know just what an irresponsible man she married! Your grandfather and I handed the Linden Family over to you, hoping you would manage it well. But you’re a grown man, and your health is more important than anything else.”

Nathan Fawcett said, “Everything’s almost taken care of. Silas Hawthorne can’t cause any more trouble now. I’ll focus on my health from now on, so don’t be angry. I asked the doctor, and he said my condition is manageable.”

“Manageable? Right!” Anna Linden retorted. “Then you can just get the hell out and handle it yourself! And don’t you come looking for me again.”

After she finished, she said to Anne Sutton, “Get him out of here.”

Anne Sutton glanced at Anna Linden, then at Nathan Fawcett.

The two of them left Anna Linden’s office. Anne walked ahead, not saying a word.

Nathan Fawcett watched her. “Honey, look, I brought you a present.”

He was trying to break the tension.

“Keep it for yourself,” Anne said.

“Just take a look.”

Nathan Fawcett took her hand and pulled out a necklace.

He then pulled a matching one out from under his own collar. The pendant on his was a little girl, while hers was a little boy. “See? They’re a matching set,” Nathan said. “Aren’t they cute? I wear mine every day. It’s like I’m keeping you with me. Now you can keep me with you, too.”

Anne looked at him. ‘Men can be so childish when they’re in love,’ she thought.

“Are you really not afraid of dying?” Anne said. “Do you honestly think I’m in any mood to talk about a necklace right now?”

Nathan Fawcett looked at her, then reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be scared,” he said gently. “I’m okay. I know my own body. For you and Ian, I’ve been going to bed on time every single day. You have to believe me. I was so sick back then, but I pulled through. I can pull through again. So many doctors said I was a lost cause, but look at me now. I’m doing fine, aren’t I?”

His voice was incredibly gentle.

He knew she was worried, so he was trying to soothe her.

Anne had been worried sick about him this entire time.

Hearing his words now, tears finally streamed down her face.

She didn’t even know what she was so afraid of.

Anne said, “Nathan Fawcett, I don’t need you to be some perfect, outstanding man. But please, don’t leave me behind again. Don’t leave Ian and Finn behind. This family can’t lose you. Do you understand?”

“…I understand.” Nathan Fawcett looked up at her red-rimmed eyes, then lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. “I know how much you care. Don’t be upset anymore. I’ll be okay. Let’s go home and see the kids. It’s getting late.”

After all the commotion today, it was indeed quite late.

They got back in the car.

Nathan Fawcett called home to check on the two children. Hearing that they had already eaten dinner, he felt relieved.

He looked at Anne. “See? Even when we’re not home, Ian and Finn can take care of themselves. They know to eat when they’re hungry. They’re not helpless.”

Anne looked at him. “You really are something else.”

Hearing her tone, Nathan said, “My mistake.”

Anne saw how quickly he apologized, but she knew that even though he admitted fault, he’d never change. She didn’t have the energy to scold him anymore.

When they got back to the Linden estate, they were stopped at the main gate by Justin Shields before they could even drive in.

Justin Shields blocked their car.

Anne rolled down the window. “What are you doing here?”

Justin Shields’s gaze landed on Nathan Fawcett. “Mr. Fawcett, you’ve returned.”

Nathan looked up at him. “She asked you a question. What are you doing here?”

Justin Shields was mixed up with Charles Prescott, so Nathan no longer considered him an ally.

“I’m here to find Stella,” Justin Shields said.

“You’re looking for Stella Shields?” Anne asked. “She’s not here. What are you doing?”

“She’s not?” Justin Shields said. “She’s been gone for two days. She finished filming her scenes, but now no one can find her. I figured she might be hiding here, so I came to check. Maybe she’s already inside. You should go take a look and then tell me.”

“She’s really not here,” Anne said. “If she were, she would have told me.”

At this, Anne’s expression faltered. “Nothing’s happened to her, has it?”

A flicker of fear went through Anne when Justin said Stella had been missing for two days.

‘She recalled the rumors about Silas Hawthorne—that all of his previous fiancées had ended up dead.’

‘If Stella met a similar fate…’

Justin Shields looked at Anne. “What are you implying?”

“Haven’t you contacted Silas Hawthorne?” Anne asked.

“There’s no word from his side either,” Justin said. “Stella loves this place, so I suspected she might have come here.”

“Why don’t you come in first.”

Anne looked at Nathan. “Let’s let him go in and see for himself.”

She was starting to worry about Stella, too.

Justin Shields got into the passenger seat.

They drove onto the Linden estate.

Anne called over a member of the household staff and confirmed that Stella Shields hadn’t been there.

Justin Shields sat on the sofa. Hearing the staff member’s reply, he mused, “I wonder where Stella could have gone.”

Anne said, “If she’s gone somewhere without telling you, don’t you think you, her brother, should reflect on why that might be?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Justin Shields asked.

“You married her off to a man like Silas Hawthorne without even asking if she wanted to,” Anne said.

“Her relationship with Mr. Hawthorne is perfectly fine,” Justin Shields said. “Maybe she just wanted some peace and quiet. Since she’s not here, I’ll be on my way.”