Chapter 489: Walter Brooks Pounded the Hospital Bed in Fury

"Fine! I'm lying here sick in bed, and you're still defending her! You've forgotten your own mother after getting married!" Walter Brooks pounded the hospital bed in fury, causing the IV tube to sway violently.

His clouded eyes bulged as if he might throw off the blankets and storm out any second.

"Dad!" Nolan Brooks gripped his father's veined wrist.

"If you despise us this much, I'll leave now. Wouldn't want to give you a heart attack and have the whole village branding me unfilial." Nolan's chest heaved, his nails digging crescent moons into his palms.

He couldn't fathom why his father still harbored such hatred toward Elena after all these years.

"You—you—" The old man's trembling finger pointed at the door. "You came here to kill me, didn't you?"

Nolan turned on his heel and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the walls.

Only the old man's labored breathing filled the room. His wife patted his back soothingly. "You old fool! Our son finally visits, and you drive him away? Elena's given him a child—what more do you want?"

The fight drained from Walter Brooks as he collapsed against the pillows in silence.

True... There was a grandchild now. What could he do?

On the hallway bench, Nolan scrubbed his face roughly. These family conflicts gave him migraines. Had his father not stirred trouble, they wouldn't be in this mess.

Elena was perfect—gentle, devoted, loving his three stepsons as her own. And then there was...

The image of their rosy-cheeked toddler surfaced—that tiny voice calling "Daddy," those chubby arms clinging to his neck. His lips curved involuntarily.

"Big bro." Eric sidled onto the bench. "You know Dad's temper. Don't take it to heart."

Nolan shook his head. "I know."

"So... go back in? Mom says he regrets it already." Eric rubbed his hands. "About the medical bills..."

"Let's go." Nolan straightened his collar. At the door, he caught his father's long, weary sigh from within.