Chapter 40 Women's Friendship (Part One)

Spencer's head drooped slightly as bitterness crossed his features. "Grandpa, it is time for you to take a nap."

"I must say, that's the lamest excuse you have made to drive me away," Wayne smiled as placed a reassuring pat to his grandson's knee. "I was not done telling the most crucial parts yet!"

"As you wish, Grandpa. Who am I to stop you?" Spencer replied, humor glinting from his eyes.

"Please treat Fiona well, shower her with love and make her the happiest woman in existence," Wayne said softly. "You need to hold a grand wedding soon. That's one of my greatest wishes."

"Hmm," Spencer replied.

"Fiona tends to easily go down with a fever. Please keep that in mind," Wayne said. "She had a fever once, the worst she had. It was so severe that it lead to cerebral hemorrhage. I never felt so frightened my whole life!"

"Cerebral hemorrhage?"

"It did." Wayne's eyes were grim as the memory flashed through his mind. "Two years after that tragic car accident, I had a conference at a neighboring province. The project lasted more than a week. Once I was done, I returned to S City, only to find out that Fiona was hospitalized.

Her aunt, Jenny and the rest of her family members didn't care about her at all. Three days! Fiona had stayed in her room for three days, and yet none of them had discovered." Wayne's voice dripped with frustration and anger as he continued, "Without my constant presence, Fiona lost her only protection. They took advantage of that and mistreated her!

Her lips were chapped and bleeding, she fought to stay conscious and lost. It worried me to no end! I asked her if she wanted to come home with me, that I would manage the matters at hand and have everything arranged, but she never took my offer.

She resorted to selling bottles she collected from the streets for money. She wanted to learn how to play piano. When I offered to fund her, she turned down my offer. She was a lively child, buzzing with energy like anyone of her age. The accident seemed to have drained it all away.

I entrust you with her well-being. She lost her parents overnight Spencer, the mere thought of it pains me!"

As Wayne continued to unveil more of Fiona's past, several emotions flickered through Spencer's eyes. Never could he ever imagine what Fiona had gone through the past ten years of her life.

Anna had checked up on Fiona a couple of times ever since she was brought to her room. Fiona remained unconscious, barely stirring at all. Anna checked her temperature, reliev

I don't want to deal with you right now," she icily said, keeping her face blank with emotions. "Get off me."

"Humph!" Spencer looked at her and sneered. "You think I want to fuck you? You were like a dead fish in bed yesterday." He then rolled over and settled on the opposite side of the bed.

Ignoring his presence, Fiona settled to the other side of the bed with her back facing him.

If only she could wake up tomorrow and found everything was just a dream. Exhaustion slowly dragged her away from reality and she drifted off to sleep.

Spencer turned off the lights with a click. Even with the tempting lull of the rain against the window pane, he couldn't sleep. He opened his eyes and turned to face her back.

His gaze traced the outline of her back, seemingly seeing the scars that marred her flesh under her gown.

It was sunny the next day. Fiona remained tucked in her bed because of her illness. She had no idea where Spencer had gone. At dusk, he waltzed in the room with his request for her to resume attending school.

"Well, are you aware that tomorrow is Monday? Your attendance will be required for tomorrow's military training," Spencer said.

"I am go back on my own."

"Grandpa asked me to drive you to school. I won't accompany you all the way if that's what you're worried about."

Fiona agreed with a nod.

Since the rain had stopped, Ryan had been lingering at the entrance of the girls' dormitory building.

Fiona got out of Spencer's car at a bus stop located few distances away from the university. As she approached the dormitory, she saw Ryan.

She held her breath; it felt like she hadn't seen him in years and yet there he was.