---- "What the hell are you doing here? Don't you think your concern for her is a little... overreaching?" Timothy asked bluntly, his gaze hostile as he glared at Ellis. He'd arrived at the hospital ages ago. However, when he'd peeked into the hospital ward through the glass window, he'd seen Madeline's and Ellis' hands clasped together. The sight had stabbed him in the heart, making his breathing speed up. He'd almost charged into the room right then and there! Ellis looked unfazed as he met Timothy's glare head-on. He sounded scornful as he asked, ''Who do you think you are to question me like that?" Timothy retorted, "I'm her boyfriend! Don't you think I have every right to question you?" "You, on the other hand..." His gaze turned icy as he warned, "Stay away from Madeline if you know what's good for you!" Ellis sneered. "Your girlfriend was hospitalized, yet you left her here alone. It seems to me that ---- you're not exactly a responsible boyfriend. What else have you done for her, aside from breaking her heart and making her cry? "When a woman chooses to be with a man, it's because she wants to have his love and care. But what have you given her? You're unworthy of her! Also, you have no right to tell me what to do." Timothy was taken aback by his harsh words. Then, he looked Ellis in the eye and laughed carelessly. "I'm unworthy of her, huh? You think you deserve her? No matter how unworthy I am, Madeline has still chased after me for years without complaint!" He laughed again, this time sounding scornful. " I've done everything a man can do to a woman with her over the years-do you think she can bear to leave me? Or do you have a fetish for taking over someone's used goods?" "You asshole!" Ellis punched him squarely in the face, making him fall to the floor as blood trickled down the corner of his mouth. ---- Ellis looked furious, and his gaze was frosty. He grabbed Timothy's collar, snarling, "I won't let you say things like that about her, Timothy. Talk trash like that again, and I'll make it so that you won't ever make another peep." With that, he flung Timothy aside and left. The latter watched him stride away, the careless look on his face disappearing as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He had no idea Madeline had heard every word of their argument. Octavia wanted to storm out there to speak up for her, but she stopped her. Madeline couldn't deny that Timothy's words affected her, but it only made her heart clench very slightly. She lowered her gaze as she thought self-deprecatingly, "You heard that, Madeline? That's the man you fell in love with-a bastard through and through."