By the ti Levi Quinn returned after a night’s rest at his hotel, word that Annabelle Leighton was pursuing Morgan Hayes had already spread throughout the hospital.
Annabelle Leighton’s declaration, "I’m determined to beco Officer Hayes’s family," had beco the nurses’ favorite piece of gossip. Everyone thought the girl was so brave and adorable.
While Annabelle Leighton was out for lunch, Levi Quinn quietly sought confirmation from Morgan Hayes. "Miles, is Miss Leighton really pursuing you?"
"Don’t go asking about things that don’t concern you."
"Everyone’s talking about it, so what’s wrong with asking?" Levi Quinn leaned in close to Morgan Hayes with a grin. "I think Miss Leighton is great. She’s beautiful, has a great personality, and you can tell she really likes you. The day you were injured, she was so worried. She stood right outside the operating room, her eyes welling up with tears. She was about to cry."
Morgan Hayes was silent.
’He couldn’t imagine what a cheerful person like her would look like in tears, but he hoped she would always be smiling and happy, and never have to cry.’
"Seriously, Miles, you can’t just bury yourself in work and have no personal life, can you? Director Thomas has brought up your relationship status several tis. Instead of letting him constantly set you up on blind dates, why not take this opportunity to see how things go with Miss Leighton? Who knows, maybe sparks will fly," Levi Quinn urged.
Morgan Hayes glanced at Levi Quinn. "What did you get from her? You keep speaking on her behalf."
"Nothing! I just think you two are a good match. To be honest, you even look like you could be a couple. With your looks combined, I can’t even imagine how gorgeous your kids would be."
"Don’t get carried away. We’re not from the sa world."
Annabelle Leighton returned from her al and had just reached the door to the hospital room when she heard those words.
’Not from the sa world! Again! And again! And again!’
’To hell with "not from the sa world"!’
That was the one phrase Annabelle Leighton hated more than anything.
Seething, she pushed the door open and walked right into the room.
When Levi Quinn saw her, he called out, "Miss Leighton."
Annabelle Leighton winked at Levi Quinn. "Officer Quinn, the spicy stir-fried chicken in the cafeteria downstairs is amazing. You should hurry and get so before it’s all gone."
Levi Quinn took the hint instantly. "Right, I’m on my way."
Uncle Adler had also gone for a al, so once again, only Annabelle Leighton and Morgan Hayes were left in the room.
Annabelle Leighton sat down on the edge of Morgan Hayes’s bed.
"Do you rember Isla Prescott?" Annabelle asked.
"I do."
Isla Prescott had been a huge help during the ritopia Song and Dance Troupe case. Of course Morgan Hayes rembered her.
"Then do you rember Shane Sterling?"
"I do."
"They’re married now." Annabelle pulled up a wedding photo of Isla Prescott and Shane Sterling on her phone. "Look. Isn’t it just perfect?"
Morgan Hayes looked at the photo of the two of them in a happy embrace. The way they gazed at each other was a living testant to love in its purest form.
’It really was perfect.’
"What’s your point?"
"My point is, when Isla first started out, she was just like you, always going on about how they were ’from different worlds.’ But look at them now—they’re married, aren’t they?" Annabelle looked at Morgan Hayes. "Officer Hayes, so barriers are just like the prejudices people hold in their hearts. They only exist if you believe they do. If you say they don’t, then they don’t. At least, I’ve never felt there was any difference between us. I like you, and that makes us part of the sa world."
Her sincerity was deeply moving.
But Morgan Hayes didn’t know how to respond to her.
"If you don’t like yet, that’s okay. I’m not in a hurry. We can take it slow. I’ll wait for you to like ."
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