Chapter 8

Pain left Jaxton hunched on the floor while Amelia watched him with a cold, satisfied twist to her lips.

Taking a swing at him had lived in her mind for ages; finally, today, she'd let her fury loose.

Patience was never her strength, but she'd bottled up her temper for her grandmother's sake.

That restraint was gone now. She refused to play nice any longer.

"Jaxton, I'm done. Let's end our engagement," she said.

Dayna, halfway out of bed to help Jaxton up, froze at Amelia's words. A spark of hope lit up her face, but Jaxton's next move quickly put out any of her excitement.

Forgetting his own pain, Jaxton stood up, brushed Dayna aside, and closed the gap between himself and Amelia, grabbing her wrist.

Without warning, Jaxton shoved Amelia back against the wall near the door.

Rage flashed in his glare, burning with wounded pride.

He was indeed dissatisfied with her, but that didn't mean she had the right to leave him.

With a sneer, he mockingly said, "What makes you think you can just end things? Your mother's gone, and your father has never cared about you. Without the title of the future daughter-in-law of the Morrison family,you're nothing. Only I get to decide when we're over, not you."

Part of Amelia had always expected this response from him.

This man was hypocritical and arrogant, with a ridiculous sense of pride. The simple suggestion to call the engagement off had clearly pierced his pride.

Turning her gaze toward Dayna, Amelia kept her voice steady. "Let's be honest, you've never really wanted me. Calling off the engagement just means you can be with Dayna openly-" "Enough!" Jaxton, stung by her composure, interjected. "You want to make a scene, fine, but you'd better remember what you should and shouldn't say. Our future marriage is just a business move. If I don't say no,you have no right to cancel it. Do you understand?"

Arrogance sharpened every word he spoke.

Before she could react, he leaned in, his lips lowering until they hovered dangerously close to hers.

Even with pain searing through her arm, Amelia thrashed against Jaxton's grip, desperate to break free.When his lips hovered just above hers, she jerked her head away, voice sharp with outrage. "Have you lost your mind? This is a hospital, Jaxton! Or did you forget the woman you love is lying right there?"

Her biting words rolled off Jaxton, who only seemed intent on humiliating her.

Pinned against the wall, Amelia realized her legs were her only weapon.

Right as she prepared to drive her knee upward, the ward door flew open with a bang.

"This is a hospital, not a hotel. Try to behave accordingly."

Marc's gaze landed on Jaxton, dripping with disdain.

He continued, "Mr. Morrison, maybe your reputation doesn't mean much to you, but you still have to consider that some of us don't want to see something like this. Don't assume everyone else shares your shamelessness."

Marc let his gaze drift over to Dayna as he finished speaking.

Both Dayna and Jaxton flushed with embarrassment, but neither dared to retort.

There was more to Marc than just his fame as a skilled doctor. He was the heir to the powerful Chapman family.

"Miss Flynn, your injury needs attention. Allow me to treat you properly," Marc said to Amelia, gesturing for her to leave with him.

Walking quietly beside Marc toward his office, Amelia remained baffled by his unexpected kindness toward her.

Nevertheless, she was undeniably grateful for his timely assistance.

Observing him treating her injury, Amelia murmured a sincere thanks.

Just as her words faded, Marc responded bluntly,"You don't have to thank me. You're not the reason l stepped in to help."

Those words felt like a puzzle, leaving Amelia momentarily speechless.

Reading the confusion plainly on her face, Marc calmly added, "You'll understand one day."