Chapter 763

Marico was covered in bruises and cuts. Once he saw Theodore and Penelope arrive, he passed out.

While Theodore kept Hamilton subdued, Penelope called 911. She and Natalie accompanied Marico in the ambulance to the hospital.

At a local bar, Hamilton downed shot after shot of liquor, the intoxication setting in fast. He couldn't understand how things had spiraled so horribly. He was just trying to make amends to Natalie and his daughter-how had he pushed her to the point of holding a knife to him?

"If Marico hadn't been there, Natalie and I wouldn't have ended up like this."

Theodore sighed heavily. "Don't you get it? Your constant hurting and pressuring drove her straight to Marico."

"You're saying I pushed her to him?"

"Didn't you?"

Hamilton slammed his fist on the table. "You actually think I pushed her to him... me, it was me..."

His voice trailed off until he finally accepted the bitter truth.

It happened six years ago, and it was happening again now.

"But I just wanted her back."

"You need to learn how to respect her first."

"I don't respect her?"

"No." Theodore looked him dead in the eye. "If you respect someone, especially someone you love, you can't bear to hurt them. You value their opinions, put yourself in their shoes, reflect on your own faults after an argument. You don't force them into doing things they hate or demand their forgiveness. Simply put, you've never treated her as your equal. Not then, and not now."

Hamilton dropped his head. After a long silence, he choked out, "But I really do love her. I can change all of that. As long as she forgives me and comes back, I'll do whatever she asks."

Theodore poured him another drink. Mistakes could be fixed, but if the love was gone, there was no saving it.

Marico had suffered three broken ribs. Looking at the battered man in the hospital bed, Natalie was consumed by guilt.

"If I hadn't asked Martha and Kristin to call him, he wouldn't have come over, and this wouldn't have happened."

Penelope had a newfound respect

for Marico. Hearing so many rumors about his terrible reputation had led her to believe he was just a scumbag with zero moral compass.

But he wasn't. He was willing to risk his life to protect others.

"Theodore will have a serious talk with Hamilton and try to convince him to stop bothering you two, but there are no guarantees hellister You still need to be careful,"

Penelope warned.

Natalie nodded. "I know."

She glanced down at Kristin, who was already fast asleep in Penelope's arms.

"I'll be staying at the hospital for the next few days to look after Marico, so could I trouble you to watch Kristin?"

"Don't worry," Penelope reassured her. "With Theodore at the house, Hamilton won't dare try anything."

After Penelope left with Kristin,

Natalie dampened a washcloth and

carefully wiped down Marico's face,

hands, and feet. When she finished and looked up, she found him

awake, giving her a sleazy grin.

"Are you so touched that you want to offer yourself to me?"

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

Marico blinked, sudden realization hitting him. "Damn it, my face isn't ruined, is it?"

"Does it even make a difference?"

"You-ugh!"

He clutched his side in pain. "I just saved your life, and instead of rewarding me, you're trying to piss me off to death, aren't you?"

Natalie scoffed, walking over to tuck the blankets around him. "Do you want some water?"