Chapter 190: Do you know this girl?
When Patricia finally left the hospital room, Nathan stepped inside, the door closing behind him softly. He found Paule lying on the bed, his eyes shut.
Paule didn’t stir. He seemed to be asleep.
"Mr. Paule Clair," Nathan said gently, moving closer to the bedside.
Paule fluttered his eyes open and found a tall figure looming over him. With effort, he pushed himself up slightly. Nathan stepped forward quickly and slipped a pillow behind his back, helping him sit more comfortably.
Paule’s mouth parted, as if to ask who he was, but the words stumbled somewhere between thought and voice. All he did was stare at him curiously.
"I’m Nathan. I’m here to talk about your adopted daughter, Anne."
At the sound of her name, a visible shudder passed through Paule. His chest tightened. His lips trembled as he forced out, "What... do... you... want?" The words were barely audible, blurred by weakness.
Nathan didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and held it up. The screen lit with a photo of a little girl, bright-eyed.
"Do you know this girl?" he asked with hope. "Is she the one you took in all those years ago?"
Paule narrowed his eyes, trying to focus on the image. His fingers reached out slowly, brushing the phone before taking it in his trembling hand. His brows drew together as he looked back up at Nathan.
There was a question in his eyes. ’Why do you have this? Who are you to her?’