Leonel's expression shifted at that.

Marcus did not miss that.

Once Alexis and Melissa left, Marcus shrugged off his jacket. He stepped up to Leonel, grabbing his collar. "Dad mentions you the moment he wakes but what about you? We need your blood to save him, yet you threaten a woman you hurt deeply," he snapped.

"Don't you remember how Dad saved your butt with blood when you were a kid? Don't you remember his lessons?"

Leonel knew it all. Without Waylen, he wouldn't even be here.

But what could he do?

He was a jerk. He was thankful for Waylen but he also still wanted Alexis.

This was his only shot.

Pushing Marcus off, fixing his clothes, Leonel smirked, “Do you want to brawl? Schedule it. A hospital's no place for that, after all. And about Alexis, don't sweat it. Our deal's sixty days. If she bails, I get the kids and there will be no visits for her."

Marcus knew Leonel was pushing his buttons in an attempt to provoke him.

But he couldn't hold back. "Screw you."

Leonel smirked. “Fight or I'll go see Dad. You said he mentioned me, right?"

Marcus was lost for words.

Leonel was probably the only one who could tick him off like this.

Inside the ward, Leonel's demeanor shifted.

Leonel knew Alexis inside out. There was no way she'd spill about their deal to Waylen. She'd paint him all rosy. And yup, there she was, chatting up Waylen as Leonel strolled in. "I am going to patch things up with him, Dad," she murmured.

But Waylen couldn't buy it.

He sensed something fishy.

Just as he was going to speak up, in walked Leonel. Smooth as butter, he greeted Alexis’ folks, and then casually accepted the water from Melissa. “I'll help out," he said, like it was no biggie.

Melissa hesitated momentarily.