"Let's go see Sharlene first." That's all, Sheila said when Martin calmed down.
He didn't respond to her suggestion. "Come on, I'll go with you there." She even said those words while holding Martin's hand.
"Yeah, whatever."
For several hours, Martin remained silent and continued to complain about the bill, prompting her to engage in a detailed conversation about it. Now, they have gotten out of the car, and the surroundings are somewhat quieter compared to earlier when there were many people crying inside the hospital.
Martin followed her into the hospital. She searched for Sharlene and her sisters with her eyes; she saw Vivianne asking at the information desk, so she called out to Vivianne.
This one glanced at the two of them.
"Are you still here?" Vivianne asked them.
"Ah, yes, are you heading to Ashley's room?" Sheila asked, smiling at Vivianne.
"Yes, I'm heading there." She saw that Vivianne was carrying some household items.
"Shall we help you?" She asked.
Vivianne looked at them and immediately withdrew. "No, but thank you." Refuse them.
Sheila really couldn't stand the behavior of the two, knowing that Sharlene wasn't really their sister and they acted as if they cared about Sharlene.
"Sharlene is experiencing extortion once more." Sheila said it out loud, wanting Vivianne to hear it. They got into the elevator, and Vivianne looked at her with raised eyebrows, but she didn't say anything.
"It's nice to have money." She just sighed.
"What are you talking about?" Martin asked her in a whisper.
"Nothing." Sheila just smiled at his companion.
The private room is still on the fourth floor; they are already there. Sheila was surprised because Vivianne went straight to the waiting area where the ICU patients were being monitored. They followed her without hesitation.
Sheila saw Sharlene and Tashia sitting there, still not dressed. She quickly hugged her friend, who was surprised by her sudden behavior.
Sharlene gently pushed her. She didn't move for either of them.
"Look, I'm sorry, Sharlene, for what I said earlier."
Sharlene stared and raised an eyebrow.
"What did you eat today?" Sharlene also asked Martin.
"Sharlene, forgive Martin already." She even said it to calm her down.
"Huh? Did he do something wrong?" Sharlene asked them further.
"Can you not? My mind is a mess right now; just leave me alone for now," said Sharlene, disinterested and searching for something in the bag Vivianne had given.
"Sharlene, what can we do to help the child?" Sheila asked her.
"I told you already, didn't I? Don't you understand?" Sharlene's voice rose. That's why they were surprised by Sharlene's behavior today.
"Leave now." That's all Vivianne said to them. "She is not in the mood right now to see the two of you," she told them.
"I just want to help, Sharlene." Sheila's voice was serious.
"Help?" Sharlene whispered softly, glancing at Sheila and the others. "What kind of help is that, Sheila?"
"If you need medical finance for the child, I can help. I know that you and your husband will have significant expenses, and as a friend, I am ready to help."
"Friend?" Sharlene chuckled softly at Sheila. "How far can you keep spinning me around?" he asked.
Sheila, taken aback by the words, simply glanced at Martin.
"If you already knew that we were in a relationship, I wish you had stayed away from me," that's what she heard Martin say.
A loud slap was heard in the waiting area, and the people who witnessed it were shocked by Sharlene slapping Martin.
"Sharlene!" Sheila's voice rose at what she did to the man.
"Ah, I finally did what I wanted to do: slap you, Martin." The phrase was the only thing that escaped her lips as she sharply stared at her husband.
"When did you just find out about this, Sharlene?" Sheila asked.
"It's been a long time; I'm just doing this for my child. I don't care what you do to my filthy husband!"
"You damn bitch!" Martin was about to charge at Sharlene to hurt her too, but she stopped Martin.
"That's enough!" Sheila interrupted Martin. "Now that you know, it's like you've hurt your child again."
This made Sharlene laugh. "Gosh, I think I just woke up to reality. I can definitely raise Ashley. I can endure all the nonsense of that man for my child, but now, thank goodness, the child can't hear. Furthermore, I can stand on my own two feet for my child." Sharlene's voice was firm.
"If that's the case, don't ever ask me for help in treating that child! Don't ever come to me for help if you can't take care of that child! You relieve me of this unnecessary responsibility, Sharlene. I'm glad you woke up to the truth now." Martin added.
"In our law, you are fully responsible for the child you mentioned; even if you have another woman, you will never escape your responsibility as Ashley's father." Sharlene let out a sigh.
"It seems you are not fulfilling your responsibilities as a father, as you are unable to provide that for the child. Please refrain from boasting about it to me, Martin. Don't brag about that to me, Martin. You're worthless anyway."
"What are you saying? You bitch! I never wanted to marry you, but your grandmother, who you aren't even related to, made me." Martin snarled at Sharlene.
Sheila heard Sharlene laugh. "It's because you're afraid of your family, correct?" Sharlene asked. "I only respected my grandma Felicia back then, but because your family is also greedy and you are greedy too, you were forced, weren't you? Don't act all innocent now, Martin. You are power-hungry, so don't blame me for everything." Sharlene stared at them intensely.
Sharlene turned to her and smiled. She approached her and tapped her. "You will get my point if you marry that man, Sheila. I still have a little pity left for you." Sharlene said to her.
"What are you saying? You and Sheila are different." Martin even said while pulling Sheila.
"Same feathers flock together; I can smell your stench."
Sheila was insulted by what Sharlene was saying now; her hand had a mind of its own; it was about to touch the cheek of the person she was talking to, but her hand was stopped, which is why she was slapped by Sharlene back then.
"I've had enough playing with you." Sharlene just sighed.
Sharlene slapped her cheek.
"Leave now, and never show yourselves to me again." Sharlene shot them a warning look.
They didn't say a word and went straight to leave; Martin followed her to the elevator.
Sheila didn't expect what would happen to them now. She looked at Martin and quietly rubbed his cheek that was also hurt.
"I will get back at that woman for humiliating me." Sheila said angrily.
Martin didn't answer. Sheila is upset now because no one has ever done this to her.