A Replacement Bride

Chapter 258

The look on Joaquin's face changed. Damn this guy.

Katherine didn't think much about it. She nodded and was about to take him to Noah's ward.

A frown creased Joaquin's forehead, and he sat up straight. Noah's message still rang in his head. That guy has been trying to get close to Katherine. He looked even more upset. I'm not letting them stay in a room alone. Something glinted in his eyes. Just before Katherine and Jayden could leave the ward, he gasped.

Katherine quickly returned to him. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

In fact, he was fine, but Joaquin put on a look of agony and pointed at the surgical wound. He frowned. "The effects of the anesthetic have worn off. The pain's kicking in."

Katherine looked at the wound. "I'll get a doctor."

Joaquin held her hand, refusing to let her leave. "No. It's just a little throb. Nothing else. Don't trouble the doctor."

Katherine frowned. "So, what do you want to do?"

Joaquin shrugged. "I'll just hold it in until it passes."

"Okay." Is he trying to start something? Well, he just got out of surgery, so I'll leave it at that. She said, "Get some rest. I'll see Noah now."

Joaquin didn't let her go. Instead, he held her tighter and gnashed his teeth. Is she that clueless? He said, "It hurts, Kathy."

That's why I said you needed a doctor. What are you doing? You won't get a doctor, and now you complain about the pain. I thought you said you were fine. What's going on?

She wondered why he was acting like he was in pain. "What are you—" It was then that realization struck her. She looked at Jayden, then at Joaquin. Oh, I get it. For some reason, she wanted to laugh, and another kind of feeling welled up within her. "But if you won't see a doctor, you'll have to hold it in. Or do you want me to give you an injection?" she teased.

Thanks, but no thanks. He glanced at Jayden from the corner of his eyes and pursed his lips. And then he turned his gaze to Katherine, passion flaring in his eyes.

"It's alright. The pain will go away if you're with me." I can't believe I'm saying this. Goddammit, I'm getting goosebumps. This is so not me.

Katherine was surprised as well. That was the first she heard Joaquin say something so mushy. She blinked dumbly for a moment, then she touched his forehead, and then she touched hers.

Confused, Joaquin asked, "What's wrong?"

Katherine smiled gently. "It's nothing. Just trying to see if you're down with a fever. Guess you're fine."

What the hell are you even thinking about? At least don't say that out loud. It's embarrassing.

Jayden suddenly chortled. There was a smirk in his eyes. "Never thought you could put on a coy act. I thought only ladies did that."

Coy? Katherine and Joaquin felt disgusted hearing that. NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Joaquin narrowed his eyes in enmity and mocked, "This is something couples do, Mr. Hall."

Jayden choked on himself, and his face fell. He retorted, "Mr. Levisay, if I'm right, it hasn't been too long since you married Kathy. Moreover, it's a marriage of convenience. You guys have never met before your marriage. I don't think there's much love involved in this relationship."

Joaquin's heart sank while a hint of annoyance filled his eyes. Did he send his men to look into this? I see he has a lot of information about it. A fake smile tugged at his lips. "You're outdated, Mr. Hall. Yes, we're newlyweds, but we met five years ago, and it was love at first sight. Only friends and family know." He was calling Jayden an outsider and telling him to shut up.

Katherine watched the men argue, and it gave her a headache. What is up with them? Are they trying to start drama? This is so childish.

She was speechless, but she had to stop them from arguing. "You just got out of surgery, Joaquin. Don't waste your energy on this. Get some rest. We'll talk after you heal." She tried to push him back down.

But Joaquin refused to follow her orders. He started clinging to her, refusing to let her leave with Jayden. "Your grandma and Keith are with Noah right now, aren't they? My wound hurts. I can't move. What if I need water? You have to stay with me, please."

Oh my god. He can act even cuter than most girls can.

Jayden was about to mock Joaquin again, but someone opened the door, and in came Jennifer. "Oh, the gang's all here." She smiled at Jayden and approached Joaquin's bed. "Who is he, Kathy? I've never seen him before."

Katherine answered immediately, "Jayden. A friend of mine in Kyoland."

Jayden quickly greeted Jennifer, "Hello, Mrs. Olsen. I'm sorry I didn't bring any gifts. Why don't we have lunch together? My treat." He tried his best to leave a good impression.

Jennifer smiled, but she didn't agree to it. "It's alright. Noah and my grandson-in-law just got out of surgery. I can't leave them behind."

Did she just call Joaquin her grandson-in-law? Alarm bells rang in Jayden's head.

Jennifer looked at him with a grin in her eyes. "So, you're Kathy's friend from Kyoland. I've seen everyone close to Kathy, but I've never seen you. You guys must not talk much."