Chapter 6 I Didn't Ask For Money

Aurora soon came back into the ward, clutching the printed medical reports. Claudia was a lone figure in the room, her gaze distant. Bennett was notably absent.

"He made a hasty exit, huh?" Aurora ventured, a puzzled look on her face.

Claudia seemed to awaken from her reverie. "Yeah. Some crisis at his office."

"Oh."

Jace was still dealing with discharge procedure. Aurora found a spot on the chair behind Claudia, leaning forward to rest her head on Claudia's shoulder. "So, tell me. What sort of compensation were you thinking of?"

Claudia shifted, looking at Aurora out of the corner of her eye before sighing deeply. "I... I wasn't really thinking that day and just blurted out..."

"Blurted out what?"

Aurora had known Claudia for many years and she knew Claudia was not avaricious or discontented.

"Don't worry about it. Bennett isn't short on funds. If money can solve the problem, it's not an issue for him. So, how much did you ask of him? Fill me in."

"I didn't ask for any monetary compensation. I actually made a request."

"Which was?"

Claudia didn't want to keep it a secret from Aurora, but even she herself felt that her request was somewhat ludicrous.

"All done!"

Jace's voice echoed as he returned to the ward.

"We'll talk later," Claudia promised, giving Aurora a sidelong glance.

She needed to compose her thoughts before revealing such an absurd matter to Aurora.

As Claudia approached the entrance of the hospital, the steps appeared a daunting task for her wheelchair.

Reluctantly, Claudia stood up. While she was largely healed, her leg was still causing her issues, hence the wheelchair provided convenience.

Jace handled the wheelchair as they navigated the stairs, unaware of Anthony and Delilah's presence.

While Aurora was engaged in conversation with Claudia, Delilah's voice pierced the air. "Cece."

The voice was a familiar one. Claudia's smile instantly vanished upon hearing it. "What brings you here?"

Lifting her gaze, Claudia saw not only Delilah but also Anthony.

She had been a patient at the hospital for over a month. Every time Anthony showed up, Aurora and Jace had him removed.

Claudia's query had Delilah flinching, her face growing visibly pale. "Cece, I am truly sorry!"

Delilah's pitiful facade might have fooled a stranger into thinking Claudia was the bully.

Claudia merely looked at Delilah's act with a cold, dismissive gaze. Wasn't Delilah exhausted of repeating the same performance?

Before, Claudia would have reacted in anger. Now, after more than a month in the hospital, Delilah's purposeful irritation only seemed ridiculous to her. "Save your performance for Anthony. Stop feigning concern."

"No, no, Cece. You've misunderstood. I... I just..."

Delilah's response was choked with tears.

Anthony's brow furrowed as he said, "Cece, can't you show some kindness to Delilah?"

"Is that so?"

Claudia met Anthony's gaze, her hand coming up swiftly to smack Delilah. "Is my attitude good enough now?"

"Claudia Marshall!"

Anthony's face grew stern. "Why did you hit Delilah?! She's unwell! This isn't her fault!"

Delilah played up her victim act, grabbing Anthony's hand. "Anthony, don't blame Cece. It's because of me that you two didn't marry. It's all my fault!"

No longer interested in Delilah's theatrics, Claudia left without a word.

Aurora glared angrily at them as she mocked with sarcasm, "You've got it right, you bitch! You haven't done a single thing wrong! Yes, you suffer from depression, and naturally you can do whatever you want! That's exactly how it works, we know!"