Sweet Subterfuge

Chapter 42

As soon as Larissa left Travis‘ room and went by the nurses‘ station, she was stopped by the nurse who’d given her the ice packs earlier.

“Oh, perfect timing.”

The nurse beckoned. Confused, Larissa walked over to her.

“Here!” The nurse handed her a bill. “You can pay downstairs.”

Larissa looked at the bill in her hands. It was yet another five–thousand–dollar bill.

“I think you’ve made a mistake.” She smiled at the nurse. “I’m not related to Travis. I think it’s better if you have his parents pay for this.”

“What?” The nurse was evidently surprised. “Aren’t you his wife? I heard his parents say he’s married, but his wife-” She hesitated, looking embarrassed.

Even though the nurse did not say anything else after that, Larissa was well aware that whatever the Hardys had said about her, it couldn’t have been flattering.

so sorry. You’re the only one besides his parents to visit him in the hospital, and you’re a woman too, so I just assumed,” the nurse apologized awkwardly, blushing as she placed the bill back.

fine.” Larissa remained her composure. “Oh, and-” She prepared herself to voice the question she’d been harboring in her mind since she heard of Travis‘ accident. What kind of injury does

ward, Larissa supposed there was a problem with his spine. And problems

spinal cord were damaged too. He’ll probably be paralyzed for the rest of his life.” The nurse paused and glanced in the direction of Travis‘ room. When she was certain that no one was coming out anytime soon, she lowered her voice and continued, “Poor Travis. They say he’s married, but ever since he’s been admitted, his wife has not been here once. It was always just his parents. They took care of him, and, speaking of his parents, they look like good, honest people–they really do, but their tempers are simply unbelievable! They would start fighting in the ward,

there as we don’t have any other

Her attention was entirely focused on the phrase

understood why Mrs. Hardy had been so

paralyzed. His life was

Hardy’s reaction to Amber, Larissa guessed that Amber was either the reason why Travis had been in an accident, or she’d completely ignored Travis after

come looking for her because she had hoped that Larissa would be responsible for Travis

looked like they’d really thought this

Mr. Hardy finished smoking and returned to

gone.

Hardy was still unconscious, and the ice pack on her

Larissa? Where did she go?” he

hurriedly.

bed, motionless, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at the

ceiling.