CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: SHE’S THE ONE WHO WON’T LET GO

Hugo Quinn’s brows furrowed, feeling that the person in front of him had been poisoned by Grace Lynch, with no cure in sight.

"Nathaniel, even if I let go, do you think she would be with you? That night you were there too; it was she who wouldn’t let go, not me."

Hugo’s words were sharp and piercing, making Nathaniel Quinn feel a deep pain all over.

This person was right; the one unwilling to let go was Grace—she loved the young uncle.

"You came to the hospital today to take Eleanor Hollis away; do you think that’s fair to her? Five years of marriage, and because of Grace, you made her wait in solitude for five years. Now that you’re divorced, you still want to use her safety in exchange for Grace’s? Do you think her heart is made of iron, that it wouldn’t hurt?"

Eleanor Hollis was in the ward, clearly hearing every word spoken outside.

When she heard Hugo’s last sentence, her eyes immediately turned red.

Did she like Nathaniel Quinn? Initially, she did—enough to forgive the humiliation of that night.

But five years had passed, and she had long become hardened like steel.

Now, even if she saw Nathaniel and Grace in front of her, her heart wouldn’t stir—love had turned into indifference.

She adjusted her breathing, slowly opened the door of the ward, and saw the man standing outside, haggard, with a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips.

"You say Grace saved your life, when?"

Nathaniel Quinn’s heart ached, feeling a pang of guilt due to Hugo’s words.

He loved Grace so much that he lost all reason, completely ignoring the harm done to another woman.

"That year both my uncle and I fell into the water; it was her who saved us."

His voice was hoarse as he spoke, only to hear Eleanor let out a soft laugh.

Back then, it was clearly she who saved the two. Young as she was, she almost drowned herself; after getting ashore, she was rushed to the hospital before she could call for anyone.

Her heart felt heavy, while Grace had once again reaped a great benefit.

"Really? I risked my own life to save you and your uncle, yet it became Grace who saved you? Nathaniel, after I got you two on shore, I couldn’t even speak before my grandmother took me to the hospital, where I nearly died! Why don’t you tell me how Grace saved you? Back then, she had to be carried out of the water by my grandmother; she’s been afraid of water since childhood, wouldn’t dare step into a river, let alone swim!!"

Eleanor’s eyes were bloodshot, her chest heaving violently, and she bit her lip until blood seeped out.

After rescuing the two, she too was swept by the river. At that moment, she truly thought she would die, only to wake up in the hospital thanks to her grandmother, who didn’t know she had pulled two people to safety from the water.

Nathaniel was stunned, raising his head abruptly to look at this woman, feeling weak all over, "How... how could..."

Eleanor smiled slightly, "How couldn’t it be? Did Grace ever tell you she saved you?"

Suddenly Nathaniel remembered the scene from then—when he and his uncle woke up, only Grace was beside them, so naturally, they assumed it was Grace who saved them.

Later, when my grandfather asked Grace about it, she neither admitted nor denied it, just smiled quietly.

Did not admit nor deny...

Nathaniel’s body went stiffer; maybe because she didn’t save them, that’s why she had that attitude.

If Eleanor was the girl who saved him back then, then what did all these years of affection mean?

He liked Grace because she saved him.

He remembered as he struggled in the water, thinking of that girl as an angel who led him out of the vortex.

"Was it really you who saved me?"

He was starting to believe it now—Grace never discussed the details no matter how much he asked over the years.

"Yes, but I truly regret saving you then. You panicked and choked me, almost dragging me down too. Had I known you’d torment me for so many years after, I should have drowned you right then."

Eleanor’s eyes were filled with mockery, and her words pierced through Nathaniel’s bones like daggers.

Nathaniel felt like all strength was drained from him; this detail, Grace did not know, but he indeed choked that girl’s neck; he could clearly hear his heartbeat then.

Hugo also didn’t expect this hidden piece in the middle, thinking all along that Grace saved him, hence being so tolerant towards her these years.

He looked at Eleanor in surprise but soon calmed down, thinking that Nathaniel must be the most troubled now.

"Eleanor, I..."

Nathaniel suddenly didn’t know what to say, filled with guilt and regret, the mix of emotions making him extremely anxious.

"You should leave, just don’t bother me anymore. I will never exchange for Grace. I can’t forgive a woman who flirts with my ex-husband."

Her sharp words instantly turned Nathaniel’s face pale, his heart ached so badly that he almost knelt down.

His mind was in chaos as he stumbled out, clutching fiercely at his chest.

Like a fish dying of thirst, almost unable to breathe.

After he left, Hugo raised his eyebrows, "Now I guess he’ll regret it for a lifetime."

Eleanor shrugged indifferently; no matter how remorseful he was, she would never forgive him.

These five years, they never had any substantial relationships, and every time she tried to seduce him, she met Nathaniel’s sarcasm.

Since he loves Grace, let him continue to love her in regret.

"I also didn’t expect it to be you who saved us, Miss Hollis. I don’t know how to thank you. If you ever need help, please let me know."

This person saved him and helped his child again, owing her a great debt.

"No need, you’ve helped me plenty."

Just as Eleanor finished speaking, she felt a wave of exhaustion.

Facing Nathaniel just now had drained all her strength; now she just felt overwhelmingly tired.

"Let me help you in to rest; the doctor said the elderly is fine already. You don’t need to worry anymore; taking care of yourself is the priority."

Eleanor nodded and quickly fell asleep after lying on the bed.

Hugo stayed in the ward for a while before receiving a call from the villa.

"Mr. Quinn, the little master is looking for you."

It was the nanny calling, looks like Marcus had woken up.

"I’m at the hospital, will be back soon—make sure to watch over him and prepare some food for him."

After hanging up, he pulled a chair over to sit down.

He initially thought of calling Samantha Sullivan over, but remembering Eleanor had saved him, he put down his phone.

During this time, a doctor came to give Eleanor an infusion, "Mr. Quinn, when the infusion is done, you can press the bell next to you, and a nurse will come to change the medicine."