Terrified by his presence, the nurse quickly ran off.
Just then, the door to the hospital room opened again.
My future father-in-law, Douglas Gardner, walked in, his face dark with anger.
Zeke immediately ran to his father, complaining, "Dad, this bastard wants to break off the engagement with my sister! He thinks she’s tainted and wants to abandon her!"
Without a word, Douglas picked up a chair and smashed it down hard on my back.
The chair hit me hard, sending me crashing to the ground. My whole body shook uncontrollably.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Chelsea, who had been lying on the bed, let out a terrified scream.
"Darling, don’t be afraid," Miriam said as she rushed over and wrapped her arms tightly around her daughter.
"Mom, how... how is he here?" Chelsea asked, pointing at me, her hands shaking, eyes wide with fear.
Miriam, assuming her daughter hated me for wanting to break off the engagement, said, "Darling, your father is teaching this scumbag a lesson!"
Douglas picked up the chair again, raising it high, ready to strike me.
The pain was unbearable, and I was too weak to do anything but give in.
"Stop..." Chelsea shouted, her voice trembling with desperation.