Chapter 9
Mandy bit her lip while Gregory stayed silent–she knew he wouldn’t dare oppose Joseph. But just as the divorce seemed final, with everything falling into place, she refused to let her plan fail now.
“Joseph,” she cut in, “stop pressuring Gregory. He doesn’t love her.”
The words cut Winifred to the core. It was true–Gregory had never loved her, and she refused to cling to false hope. She had wanted to protect Joseph’s health, but now, she could no longer stay silent.
“Joseph, even if Greg-” She stopped abruptly, correcting herself with icy formality. “Even if Mr. Hoffman changes his mind, I won’t. This marriage
is over.”
Gregory’s glare turned deadly. ‘So that’s how it is,‘ he thought. ‘She’s already moved on and now wants to dump me?‘
“Winifred, you-“Joseph’s face darkened with fury. Then his breath hitched, his hand flew to his chest, and he collapsed.
The room exploded into chaos as Gregory and the others surged forward.
Winifred started to move forward, but Truman gently held her back. Meeting his eyes, she saw the silent warning–don’t reveal any concern.
Winifred,” Truman murmured, “if it’s truly finished, then walk away completely. Don’t turn back.”
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She had already decided to leave Gregory for good, and there was no need to pretend concern now. The exhaustion of three loveless marriage years weighed heavily on her as she leaned into Truman’s support.
Gregory helped lift Joseph into the ambulance, then turned for a final look. What he saw made his blood run cold–while his grandfather lay unconscious on the stretcher, Winifred was already clinging to Truman.
A sharp pain stabbed through Gregory’s chest. His grandfather had always treated Winifred like a granddaughter, yet she didn’t even look at him before throwing herself into another man’s arms.
This proved what Gregory had long suspected–Winifred was a cold, calculating woman who cared only about money and status.
The hospital corridor buzzed with tension as Joseph remained in surgery.
The Hoffman family waited restlessly in the bright hallway. When Winifred arrived at last, Truman stayed close beside her, protective.
Shirly’s eyes burned with contempt. “Who are you trying to fool? With your rich new boyfriend, why bother showing up at all?”
“I’ll go when I know Joseph is stable,” Winifred answered, her voice steady.
“Enough of this act,” Shirly snapped, motioning to security. “Remove her.”
Truman moved like lightning, positioning himself as a shield. “Try it,” he challenged.
Gregory’s voice cut through the tension like ice. “That’s enough. We’ll wait for news about Grandpa. Then you can settle your disputes.”
As if on cue,
the ER doors parted. A team of medical staff emerged without Joseph.
Gregory was the first to speak. “How’s my grandfather?”
Winifred stood motionless, her gaze locked on the lead physician.
The doctor removed his mask with a weary sigh. “It’s critical. He needs immediate bypass surgery, but given his age and comorbidities…” He hesitated, then added, “There’s a ninety percent mortality risk.”
“A ninety percent chance he’ll die?” Shirly’s voice rose in panic. “Then what’s the point? You might as well kill him yourselves.”
The doctor looked worried. “None of our surgeons are willing to attempt this procedure.”
Shirly’s face crumpled. “So there’s no hope for Joseph?”
Winifred pressed her lips together before speaking up. “Actually, there is someone who can treat him.”
“Who?” Gregory asked sharply.
Winifred turned to Truman. “The Chappell family knows Dr. Miracle. Mr. Chappell, you could contact her, couldn’t you?”
“Dr. Miracle?” Shirly gasped. “The miracle worker everyone talks about?”
Gregory’s brow furrowed. “We don’t need that.”
“I don’t particularly want Winifred to-” Truman began, but a sharp look from Winifred silenced him.
She met Gregory’s gaze squarely. “I won’t forget Joseph’s kindness. I’ll manage to get Dr. Miracle to operate.” Gripping Truman’s arm, she started leading him away.
“Winifred!” Gregory’s voice was dangerous. “Since when do you make decisions for the Hoffmans?”
