rout his heart
Chapter 22
Stella watched Arthur’s moment of vulnerability with a pang of helplessness. Something about seeing him so brokenhearted didn’t sit right with her
Hesitating, she said, “I know I might be crossing a line here, Mr. Forsyth, but have you thought about talking things out with Cindy? Is there any chance Celeste could be your daughter?”
Arthur gave a hollow chuckle and shook his head. “No, I wish she were.”
st of his life.
Stella was too young to understand the depth of sorrow and regret in his sigh. It was a guilt he’d carry with him for the rest of his
“It’s a fracture,” the doctor said, examining Arthur’s injuries and studying his face. “Are you running atever?”
He reached to check Arthur’s forehead, but Arthur stopped him with a polite gesture. He knew all too well that his fever was the result of the pills he’d overdosed en earlier that moming and the chill he’d caught while standing by the open window.
With a dismissive nod, he said, “I’ll deal with the cast later Right now, there are more pressing matters.”
Stella’s gare remained fixed on Celeste av Arthur tried to head back to the operating room, but the doctor wouldn’t let him leave without checking his injury first
The doctor’s assessment matched what Arthur had already guessed. He rose, shifting his ankle gingerly. The pain had faded to a distant throb. Ignoring further treatment, he strode out of the orthopedic ward.
The indicator light outside the operating room still bumed red. Arthur stopped short.
“It’s not over?” he asked a nurse.
She recognized him and shook her head. “she’s been transtened to the ICU. The second procedure is starting now.”
Arthur sighed, the tenson draining from him so fast it left him dizzy. He swayed, accidentally putting pressure on his bad ankle, and at that moment, he couldn’t remember ever feeling more pathetic.
Then suddenly, he was laughing in a way he hadn’t in days.
Stella’s question lingered in his mind. Arthur knew it was merely kindness from someone who didn’t know the full story. Yet, he couldn’t help but imagine that Cindy had made it through
If she had survived, would there still be a chance she’d tell him he was forgiven?
Somewhere in Arthur’s heart, there might still have been a hope he couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge–the hope that he and cindy could start over.
They’d been so crazy about each other back then that their relationship was campus legend, the kind even their professors smiled about Cindy had radiated happiness in those days as if she had everything she could ever want.
Arthur still wanted to be the reason sa smiled like that again. He scrubbed his face. He knew it was just useless wishing, but even the fantasy gave him some kind of happiness
ore. Now, he found himself imagining holding her hand
it was strange how people were. There was a time when he would’ve given anything to see her just once more. and never having to let go. He was greedy
bending down to brush a kiss
Holding anco that quiet, impossible want, Arthur reached the ICU. The glass walls left nothing hidden. There, clear as day, was Sylvan ben against Clardy’s direk
“Thank you,” Sylvan said, his eyes pully and his voice cracking. “Thank you for coming back to us, Cindy-
Dazed from the anesthesia, Cindy Lifted a hand, tethered to monitors and IVs, to brush Sylan’s cheek Her lips moved silently beneath the oxygen mask. Keeping her eyes shur, she whispered. “Thank you, Sylvan. Without you, I would’ve been gone thee years ago… I’d have never known our Celeste, and never had
dus second clunce…
Sylvan’s teardropped onto her cheek
Cindy managed a weak smile and said, “Thank you for loving me “
“Hey now, that’s any line,” Sylvan managed through a teary laugh
He carefully leaned down to us her through the mask.
Arthur watched though the glass, as blood turning to it in his veins. He wasn’t stupid. He knew exactly why Cindy had waited until now to make her feelings
That was Cindy all over–always thinking of others first. She’d known the allow herself to open her beart to Sylvan
surgery was risky, so she’d held back until she could be sure she’d live. Only then did she
The pain hiring Anjur now made everything else seem insignificant. His adde fracture was
was nothing compared to the raw,gutting a
He turned away, unable to stomach the sight of them holding on so tightly. He leaned against the wall, tears slipping tree before he could stop them Tury’d all made an unspoken part not to tell Cindy about Celeste’s allergic reaction. After everything she’d just been through with surgery, the last thing she
tended was indir modry.
Sylvan was still trying to figure out how to explain allergies to Celeste when she piped up with her complan. “Mommy would never make me eat something I don’t
Stellanodded. “Tat’imyumat girl
She had no idea if her words made any difference to Arthur, but when she witnessed Sylvan tenderly kiss Cindy’s cheek after helping her with the liquid meal, Stell
was stunned into silence
“Sylvan, you have feelings for Cindy?”
“It took you this long to figure it out? We’re already together.” Sylvan replied with away tone.
by said she loved him, either. The uncertainty gnawed
But even as he spoke, doubt began to settle in Cindy had never turned down his kisses, but she’d never actually at him as he awaited her final word.
Stella’s mind reeled, Hercousin, who’d been nothing but trouble growing up, wouldn’t devote himself like this unless he loved Cindy.
“But then why does Celeste call you uncle?” she asked.
sion. His face tell when Celeste’s background came up.
The penny dropped as Sylvan finally understood Stella’s confusion.
“Do you remember my sister?
Stella certainly did.
