Chapter 31 Something's off About Ada

Lost in thought, Sabrina reflected on her short but significant time married to Curtis. One thing that had always struck her was his unwavering respect for women. With the exception of a single incident where she had angered him, Curtis had always relegated himself to a tiny couch, leaving the soft, spacious bed for her. Then there was the matter of Daniel, a man of unquestionable character. Surely, the apple could not fall far from the tree. However, what Sabrina carefully left unsaid was the ticking clock on their marriage, which was destined to last for only one year. "Grandpa, Curtis may appear all business, but beneath it all, he's got a heart of gold. Spend some time with him, and you'll see," she reassured her grandfather. Their relationship had lasted just long enough for Sabrina to understand Curtis to some extent. Her heartfelt endorsement put Parker at ease, and his eyes sparkled with the same love that had enveloped her in childhood. Those were the same gentle eyes that never scolded her, even during her most mischievous moments. It was an emotional trip down memory lane. "As long as you're happy, my heart rests easy," said Parker, embodying the essence of unconditional familial support. Sabrina felt a weight lift from her shoulders, praying that a year from now when she and Curtis inevitably divorced, her grandfather would remain just as understanding. She had no intention of causing any additional stress to his already frail health. "Grandpa, how are you feeling? Did you see a doctor before coming here? What did they say?" The atmosphere turned heavy when Parker's face took on a solemn look. "Look, it's not as bad as your brother claims. I just fainted because of sudden stress. Since the both of you are worried, I decided to get checked out." "You absolutely should, Grandpa. Your health is our priority. Don't worry, Curtis and I will make sure you get a complete medical evaluation," Sabrina assured him. Sensing his granddaughter's genuine concern, Parker did not put up any resistance, though he was not thrilled about another trip to the hospital. After some light conversation, Parker's energy began to wane. Sabrina guided him to a spare room for some much-needed rest. Just then, Curtis walked in. "I bumped into your brother and his girlfriend while shopping downstairs," Curtis mentioned. The mere mention of Ada ignited a peculiar feeling in Sabrina. She had no desire to badmouth her yet could not shake the sense that Ada was just not that into her brother. "There’s something off about Ada, don't you think? Is she staying next door for a while?" Curtis had observed Barry's constant attention to Ada, catering to her every need during his shopping excursion. Ada carried herself like royalty, clearly considering herself a cut above Barry. Curtis found it baffling as he had never witnessed such an imbalanced relationship. Even with his own emotionally distant marriage to Sabrina, he had always treated her with the utmost respect. And when they were dining next door earlier, he had noticed Ada's covert glances. Sabrina felt her curiosity piqued, and she couldn't help but wonder, 'Why would he say that?' "I think she is staying next door. I'll call Barry in a bit to check." As siblings, Curtis and Sabrina shared certain similarities. Both were traditionalists when it came to matters of the heart. They fully invested themselves only when they felt a deep emotional connection to their partners. Yet Barry and Ada were already an item, despite a short three-month acquaintance. Knowing her brother as she did, Sabrina was convinced it would take more than a few months for him to truly know someone, let alone take a serious step forward. "No worries. So, what about your grandpa? When do you plan to take him for a check-up?" "In a couple of days. I want him to get comfortable here first. While you were away, I researched some hospitals, but I'm not entirely convinced about any of them. Would you mind helping me sift through the options?" Curtis did not refuse. Sabrina brought her laptop over, and together they delved into various hospital reviews. Sabrina was well-prepared, armed with detailed notes on each hospital's strengths and weaknesses. Curtis spotted a few private hospitals on her list. "I was actually leaning toward taking Grandpa to a private hospital, but he'll never agree to it due to the high costs," Sabrina sighed. Out of all the hospitals, she was particularly interested in Haven & Kent Hospital. But the cost was exorbitant. Seeing Sabrina's worried expression, Curtis furrowed his brows and told her, "Don't worry, Victor has some shares in Haven & Kent Hospital. We can easily get your grandpa an appointment, and you don't have to fret about the expenses. I'm sure he can arrange a discount." There was something about it that felt off, but Sabrina chose to trust Curtis. Their marriage had been founded on specific reasons—her ensuring her grandfather's access to medical care, and his aim to bring peace of mind to his own grandfather. Given these circumstances, Sabrina believed Curtis had no reason to deceive her. Yet, the promise of a 'shareholder discount' for medical services seemed almost too good to be true. "Wouldn't this be too much trouble? Victor's probably swamped with his work, right?" Sabrina's real worry was causing inconvenience to others. Curtis simply shook his head. He was the true driving force behind the company, whereas Victor merely played the role of a figurehead who occasionally made appearances before heading off on another getaway. "It's fine. Victor is a very kind person. I'm certain he'd love to help." Sabrina felt a warm rush of gratitude wash over her. Under Sabrina's grateful gaze, Curtis took out his phone to call Victor and put it on speaker. Though there was a slight risk in doing so, Curtis had every confidence that Victor wouldn't drop the ball.