Crushed Affections (Dominic and Bella)
Chapter 344 Rumors Are a Fearful Thing (2)

Ethan got angry at Lana's words.

"I'm hopeless? I think that applies to you instead! What does other people's business have to do with you? Bella has her reasons for acting this way!"

Lana firmly replied, "People like her only bring shame to our hospital! This affects the hospital's reputation and honor! How does that not concern me? If she doesn't stop working here, I'll report this to the higher-ups!"

Ethan wasn't good with words to begin with, so he couldn't argue back. He gritted his teeth before storming off in anger, muttering under his breath, "This woman is asking for trouble!"

Not long after Bella got home, the department head called. She answered the phone in resignation. "Hello?"

He sternly said, "I heard your father is in our hospital, and no one is taking care of him. Why aren't you checking on him? You're a doctor at our hospital. How can you act like this?"

Bella felt a surge of frustration and replied a bit harshly, "What's this? Do you all enjoy meddling in other people's affairs?"

The department head was annoyed. "What's wrong with you? You're a pretty young lady, yet you don't even know how to act like a decent person! It's normal to respect the elderly. What did you learn all those years in school?

"I don't care about any of that. You need to arrange care for your father immediately. Don't ruin our hospital's reputation!"

Bella wanted nothing more than to quit her job right then. She wanted to get as far away from Simon as possible. A helpless feeling washed over her. It felt like someone was pulling her into a deep abyss, and she couldn't climb out no matter how she tried. With the department head pressuring her, Bella had no choice but to return to the hospital.

It was evening when she arrived at the ward, and there weren't many family members there. Simon was alone, and he was struggling to go to the bathroom by himself.

Bella placed the food she brought on the bedside table and asked, "Did you get a divorce?"

Simon shook his head. "No, but my wife is used to a comfortable life and doesn't want to come to the hospital to care for me. She thinks

I'm useless. You don't have to worry about me. I can manage on my own."

Bella felt like she was about to snap, and she desperately wanted to scream at him.

Who was he putting on this pity party for? Why did he tell the hospital staff about their relationship? Why wouldn't he leave her alone?

But she couldn't. She had to hold it together.

She took a deep breath and warned

him calmly, "From now on, don't mention our relationship to anyone, no matter where you are. We have nothing to do with each other, and I don't owe you anything. You brought this upon yourself. Can you honestly say you deserve my respect,

Simon?"

Simon lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I only mentioned it casually to your colleague. I didn't mean to cause you trouble. Also, thank you for paying my medical bills. I'll pay you back."

Bella replied coldly, "No need for that. I just want you to get out of here as soon as possible and stay far away from me. I never want to see you again."

...

The following day, Bella arranged for a caregiver for Simon. It was better than having to take care of him personally. She would rather die than acknowledge their relationship in front of others. That would hurt more than dying.

By doing this, she also gave some justification to those who criticized her. After all, rumors could be a fearful thing.

Dominic somehow found out about the situation and called her. "Has Simon been bothering you again? Do you need help dealing with him?"

Bella didn't want to trouble Dominic. "It's fine. He hasn't bothered me."

Dominic was suddenly very respectful about her choices. Since she said she didn't need any help, he didn't pry further. After chatting briefly about other topics, he ended the call.