The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Leon had barely regained consciousness when Victor and Eliza arrived at the hospital. Victor stared at his son, lying pale and barely breathing on the hospital bed.
Leon's face was drained of all color. His breathing was so faint and fragile, and it seemed it might cease at any moment.
Just a few hours ago, Victor had harshly accused Leon of faking illness. Now, thinking back, he was overwhelmed with regret. He even wished he could just slap himself.
Victor approached Leon's bedside cautiously, his voice trembling with emotion. "Leon, I'm so sorry. I failed to take good care of you," he whispered.
Leon's eyes shifted slowly toward Victor. His frail little body huddled deeper under the blanket as he turned his back, deliberately shutting himself off from his father's concern.
Eliza stood behind Victor, staring at the frail Leon on the hospital bed.
'What a waste. I hope he dies,' she thought coldly. However, putting on a show of concern, she forced a caring expression and tiptoed to the bedside.
"Leon, how are you feeling? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Eliza deliberately slowed her speech and reached out to stroke Leon's forehead, but Leon turned his head away, avoiding her touch.
Eliza's hand froze mid-air before she awkwardly withdrew it with feigned composure.
Albert took in the scene, then turned to fix Victor with a furious glare and bellowed. "Is this what you call taking good care of Leon? Just look at him now—you nearly got him killed. What kind of father are you supposed to be?"
Victor hung his head in shame, unable to meet his father's furious gaze. He stammered weakly, "Dad, I was wrong. This is all my fault. I've been utterly negligent."
"Negligent? You really think it can explain this? This is sheer idiocy." Albert was shaking with fury. He roared, "Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
His hands trembling with rage, Albert raised his cane and brought it down on Victor with brutal force.
The cane whistled through the air before landing brutal blows across Victor's face and shoulders.
Victor let out a muffled grunt, gritted his teeth, and stood his ground without flinching.
Leon flinched at the sudden roar. Already weak and exhausted, he instinctively curled deeper into the blankets, his tiny frame trembling faintly.
Seeing this, Albert immediately dropped his cane and rushed to Leon's bedside, very concerned. His trembling hand gently stroked Leon's head as his voice softened. "There, there, Leon. I'm here now. You're safe."
Victor hastily reached out to comfort Leon, only to be shoved aside by his father. He staggered back several steps, nearly falling. His face stung with searing pain, but he bit back any cry, not daring to make a sound.
"Dad, it's all my fault. I let Leon down. I haven't been the father I should be. I—" Victor choked out, his voice trembling with guilt.
"Unbelievable. Damn my foolish trust. I must be going senile to ever think you could care for Leon. Today, I'll make sure you learn your lesson." Albert snatched up the cane he had thrown aside moments before and swung it viciously at Victor once more.
Seeing this, Eliza hastily stepped forward, positioning herself protectively in front of Victor. With an artfully pitiful expression, she pleaded in a trembling voice. "Mr. Powell, please. Victor didn't mean to. Could you forgive him just this once?"
"Shut up. This isn't your place to speak. Cut the act. Do you think I don't know exactly what you're up to?" Albert snapped.
"Mr. Powell, you've misunderstood me. My feelings for Vic are genuine," said Eliza.
"Genuine? Who can't see through your little schemes? You're just waiting for something to happen to Leon so you can marry Victor. I've seen your kind a thousand times," Albert said.
Eliza's face turned pale as a sheet, veins bulging on the back of her hand as she bit down hard on her lower lip.
'That old bastard. How dare he speak to me like that?' Eliza seethed inwardly. She suppressed her seething rage with great effort, forcing a pitiful, aggrieved smile onto her face.
She pleaded, "Mr. Powell, you've really got me all wrong. My love for Vic is real, and as for Leon, I—"
"Cut the act. If you really cared about Leon, he wouldn't be in this state. Don't think I can't see right through you. Your intentions are anything but good. Let me make this clear.
"As long as I'm alive, you'll never set foot in our Powell family," Albert warned.
"Mr. Powell, I'm so sorry. I truly didn't mean to," Eliza cried out.
"Enough. Get out. Don't you dare set foot in this hospital room ever again," Albert snapped.
Victor hastily defended Eliza. "Dad, please don't be like this. Ellie means no harm. She isn't the kind of person you think. There must be some misunderstanding."
"Get out too," Albert roared, pointing at the door, seething with rage. "All of you—get the hell out. I don't want to lay eyes on you again."
Helpless, Victor could only take Eliza by the hand and lead her out of the hospital room.
Albert looked at Leon, his heart aching at the boy's frail state. He gently comforted his grandson, his voice soft and full of affection. "Don't be scared, Leon. I'm here, and I'll protect you. How about coming to live with me at Powell Manor?"
Leon knew he couldn't stay in this house any longer. Eliza and Oliver would never stop tormenting him. They would definitely pick on him again when Victor was not around.
Leon thought, 'Only Grandpa truly loves me. Maybe if I go back to the Powell Manor with him, I'll finally be safe.'
Leon gave a weak but obedient nod.
Back at home, Eliza tenderly tended to Victor's injuries, her fingers tracing his swollen, bruised cheek with feigned concern.
"Vic, does it still hurt? I'm really sorry. It's all my fault. I honestly didn't know Leon was allergic to eggs," she said.
Victor let Eliza fuss over him, but his mind was haunted by the image of Leon in the hospital room. Such a tiny body curled up under the blankets, trembling like a wounded bird.
For some reason, the sight left him inexplicably agitated. Frustrated, he raked his fingers through his hair, his sharp brows drawn tightly together.
"Vic, I shouldn't have given Leon egg custard. I only wanted to boost his nutrition." As she spoke, Eliza's eyes grew red-rimmed once more, her voice trembling with practiced sorrow.
"It's all my fault. If only I hadn't insisted he eat that egg custard, Leon wouldn't have ended up like this," Eliza said, her voice trembling with exaggerated remorse.
"Don't cry," Victor said softly, taking Eliza's hand in his and absently stroking the back of it with his thumb. "It's not your fault, Ellie. None of us could have known Leon was allergic to eggs."
Just then, the door creaked open a crack. Oliver, with his head down, slowly shuffled toward Victor and Eliza. "Vic, I was wrong. I didn't know he was allergic to eggs," he sobbed.
Eliza gently patted Oliver's head and said in a saccharine voice, "Oliver, it's not your fault."
"Vic, I pressured Leon to finish the steamed egg custard. I'm so sorry. Please don't blame Mommy. This is all my fault," Oliver continued.
Eliza tenderly wrapped her arms around Oliver, her eyes flicking subtly toward Victor. Seeing his expression soften, she had a secret satisfaction.
With tears streaming down her face, she said, "It's all my fault. I never should have made that steamed egg custard. If only I hadn't prepared it, Leon wouldn't have had that allergic reaction."
Tears streamed down Eliza's face as she choked out dramatically, "Vic, it's all my fault. I hurt Leon."
"There are no what-ifs—what's done is done. Right now, Leon's health is all that matters. Besides, you meant well and just wanted to boost his nutrition," Victor said.
Victor paused for a moment, his tone softening. "Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. It pains me to see you like this."