CHAPTER 272: DINNER DATE...

Jessica stood for a while outside the hospital ward, her thoughts spiraling as countless memories from the past surfaced and tangled within her mind.

Her arms hung loosely by her sides, her eyes closed, brow furrowed in deep contemplation.

Inside the ward, Davis waited patiently, expecting her to return any minute. When several minutes passed without her return, he turned toward his grandfather.

"Grandpa, all things being equal, we’ll be leaving now. We’ll visit again soon," Davis said, his voice steady but faintly tired.

The old man nodded slowly, a weary smile forming on his lips. He was grateful—immensely grateful—that after all the rumors and assumptions of their deaths following the accident, they had returned alive and together.

Still, a part of him sensed something more. Davis and Jessica had never fully explained what happened. Even when he asked, Davis would only say, "That’s in the past."

When Elder Allen turned his gaze toward Jessica, expecting her to say something—perhaps explain how or what prompted their disappearance she only sighed softly and said with a gentle firmness, "Grandpa, your health comes first."

Her words were calm and measured, but they carried enough weight to silence any further questioning.

The old man stared at her for a moment, trying to read deeper into her expression, but her face gave nothing away. Still, something tugged at the back of his mind.

As shrewd a businessman as he had been all his life, he knew when something wasn’t entirely transparent.

And now, that instinct stirred again. He sensed there was more than what they were willing to share—more that hadn’t been said.

But rather than press them further, Elder Allen leaned back against his pillow and released a slow, reflective breath. "Well," he began, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips, "you both take care of yourselves."

He shifted slightly in the bed and glanced at the IV attached to his hand, then at the monitors nearby.

"To be honest," he continued, his voice firmer, "I think I’ve totally healed. And if that’s the case, maybe it’s time to put my discharge on the table for serious consideration."

Davis raised a brow. "Discharge already?"

Elder Allen nodded with quiet resolve. "Yes. Lying here does nothing for me. My mind is sharp, and my body is no longer frail. I need to get back on my feet—see the world outside this hospital. There are decisions to make, and some things I must personally oversee."

Davis took a deep breath. "Grandpa, recovery isn’t just about how you feel. The doctors—"

"I’ll let the doctors speak," Elder Allen interrupted gently. "But I know my body. And my spirit. And I believe I’ve rested long enough."

There was a moment of silence as his words settled between them. He is not just keen on leaving the hospital; he was signaling his intent to return to and oversee several situation.

Davis nodded slowly. "Alright, Grandpa. If that’s what you want, we’ll speak to the doctor. But only if they confirm you’re ready."

"Of course, they will certify me healthy." He muttered.

Seeing him answer readily as though he was the doctor, Davis smiled lightly "We’ll make the necessary arrangements. Just promise us you’ll take it slow."

"I will," he chuckled.

Davis nodded to his response and with one last glance at him, he said "You take care."

As Davis wheeled himself into the hallway, the door to the ward clicked softly shut behind him.

The guards stationed outside greeted him respectfully, and he gave a subtle nod, his sharp gaze scanning the corridor to locate Jessica.

His eyes soon found her, leaning against the cream-colored wall, her face pale and eyes closed. Her body language screamed exhaustion.

Worried, Davis wheeled over to her. "Babe, what’s wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly with concern.

Jessica opened her eyes slowly, her gaze meeting his. The warmth in his eyes made her chest tighten, emotion welling in her throat.

"Nothing," she murmured.

"Nothing?" he repeated, frowning. "Then why do you look so drained? Didn’t you just step out to answer a call?"

She sighed, avoiding his gaze. Before she could say more, Davis gently took her hand and reached for the phone in her other hand. Glancing at the screen, he saw the last call was from The Santiagos.

"The Santiagos?" he asked, raising a brow.

Jessica nodded faintly. Davis took a slow breath, recalling her previous conversation with the Santiago family. She had promised to visit them upon her return.

"So, have you scheduled the meeting with them? Why are you upset?" he asked softly.

Jessica shook her head. "No. I was thinking... maybe you should help me fix a date."

Davis looked at her thoughtfully, sensing her hesitation.

"Alright," he said after a moment. "Why not go tomorrow? There’s no need to delay any further."

Jessica straightened slightly, her lips parting. "Tomorrow? Isn’t that rushed?"

Davis chuckled "Why do you think it is rushed? You have been hesitant and skeptical for a long time now."

Jessica took a deep breath. She didn’t know why but then "Are you sure about this?" She muttered seeking for confirmation again.

Davis gave a firm nod. "Yes. You’ve wanted answers for a long time. If this is a step toward finding the truth about your mother, then don’t run from it."

With his encouragement, Jessica finally sent a message to the Santiagos, confirming she would come over for dinner the next day and requesting they send her the address.

As she pressed send, a visible weight seemed to lift from her shoulders. Her posture eased.

"I think it’s time we head home," Davis said quietly. "Maybe return to our private mansion. Henry’s probably still waiting."

Jessica nodded. Though their return had been relatively quiet, the news hadn’t stopped trending online.

Speculations about Davis Allen’s condition and their sudden reappearance continued to make headlines.

Some believed he had left the country for treatment, while others debated whether he would ever walk again, pointing to his appearance in the airport in a wheelchair.

Yet, all in all they are waiting with crossed fingers for an opportunity to see them.

Jessica gently began pushing his wheelchair toward the elevator. As they reached the button, her hand paused mid-air, and her eyelid twitched slightly.

Davis’s brow furrowed. "What’s wrong?" he asked, his tone sharp and concerned.

"I think... there might be a problem with our departure," she murmured, her heartbeat racing.

She pressed the button for the first floor, and as the elevator descended, Davis remained silent, watching her closely.

When they reached the first floor, Jessica pushed him calmly through the quiet hallway until they arrived at a more discreet elevator tucked away in a corner, one Davis had never noticed before.

"What elevator is this?" he asked.

"Private elevator reserved for certain doctors," she replied. "I’m still listed as one of them."

He nodded in recognition. He remembered early in their marriage he had stumbled into her as she took this elevator when he came for a check up.

He had insisted on keeping some parts of her medical practice going. She typed in a security code, and the doors slid open with a soft chime.

Inside the elevator, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

"Check the situation downstairs," she instructed her subordinate calmly.

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~Downstairs~

The hospital lobby was unusually busy. Crowds lingered near the entrance, pacing and peering around. Cameras occasionally flashed.

Jessica’s subordinate observed from a strategic vantage point. He noticed the same car circling the building for the third time. Something wasn’t right.

He called back. "Ma’am, we’ve got a crowd. Looks like reporters."

Jessica sighed as she received the report. "It seems someone tipped them off."

Davis’s face darkened, but his expression remained composed. "Tipped off? Good thing your instincts kicked in," he said, pride lacing his voice.

Jessica gave a subtle nod, then relayed new instructions. "Prepare the car at the alternate parking lot. We’ll leave from the west wing."

Within minutes, they exited through a discreet basement-level parking garage accessible only via the private elevator.

Their vehicle was already waiting quietly in the corner. The driver stepped out and respectfully opened the door.

As Davis was helped in, Jessica glanced around once more. "Someone is watching," she muttered.

Davis nodded. "Let them watch. They’ll only see what we allow."

As the car rolled smoothly out of the hospital compound using a side exit, they both remained silent, deep in thought.

The day had brought answers, tension, and more questions.