Chapter 16
Arthur wiped the blood from the comer of his mouth, his gaze following Sylvan as he hurried away, muttering soft words of comfort to Celeste
*I remember the nearest department is Radiology. Who’s sick in your family, Sylvan?” Arthur asked abruptly.
Selvan stiffened betose letting out a derisive snort. “None of your damn business.”
A flash of disbeliet crossed Arthur’s mind, just as he pushed himself up, Josephemerged from his room, looking surprised.
“Arthur, what happened here?” Joseph asked.
“It’s nothing. Mi Emery,” Arthur replied, dabbing the blood from his lips.
His expression stayed unnervingly calm, though his hands trembled uncontrollably at his sides.
“Perhaps you should come back another time, Arthar. The guard just informed me that Mr. Page has stepped out,” Joseph said apologetically with a sigh
“That’stine,” Arthur said quietly “could ask for one more favor, Mr. Emery?”
“What is it? I’ll help if I can.”
Can you help me find someone?” Arthur asked.
or joy remained
His eyes were cast downward, flickering with an unreadable emotion. A faint, humorless smile curled at his lips, though whether it came from fury or
He continued, “She’s in her late 20s, probably just admitted to the hospital. I have a name, though she might not be using it. Mr. Emery, any records you can find would be a big help. Her name’s Cindy Tessier
Meanwhile, Sylvan kept soothing Celeste patiently until her sobs faded, though frustration gnawed at him.
Only then did he pinch her cheek, his voice firm as he said, “You never runoff like that again. Understood? What if someone had taken you?”
“I just wanted to get Mommy some candy, Celeste mumbled, a pour forming as tears welled up in her eyes. “The doctor made her take more of that icky medicine. I’m sorry, Uncle Sylvan Please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad,” Sylvan replied.
The warmth in her voice loosened the lot in his chest. He drew her into his arms, running his hand through her hair.
“I just couldn’t stand the thought of you going missing. It would shatterme,” he added.
“I get. I won’t run off again. ”
Svivan dried Celeste’s tears and exduled quietly. He was aware Arthur had started growing suspicious
Once a man likse Arthur got fixated on something unusual, he’d tear into it until he’d uncovered every detail, like a shark after a fresh kill. And this time, it was about Candy, of all people.
Sylvan had heard more than his fair share of rumors about Arthur over the past two weeks. Gossip was always gossip, but these stories had grown so outrageous, they made by skin crawl
Hiding Cindy would be no simple task
The doctor took off his mask and met Sylvan outside the consultation room
“The patient’s holding up well, but since the cancer’s been in her system for years now, outgedical team advises moving forward with surgery as soon as possible. Loolding at the schedule, we’d need to operate by next week at the latest. What’s your decision?”
There was no choice to be made between the risk of Arthur finding out and Cindy’s chance of getting better.
“We’re sooner rather than later. Go ahead and set it up, Doctor, Sylvan sald firmly.
“Understood. Head to admission and get her checked in.
Celeste had already dashed into the hospital room and lugged Cindy. Neither Celeste nor Sylvan brought up how she’d almost wandered off earlier.
Celeste pulled out a handful of colorful candy from her pocket and handed them to Cindy, her eyes shining “Here you go, Mominy. These will make the medicine
“Thanks, Celestir,” Cindy said, pressing a kiss to Celeste’s cheek and holding her close.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Cece, I’m going in for surgery soon. It might be a bit before we see eachother again”
vira okay, Mommy. I’m not afraid. Unele Sylvan said that after this surgery, you’ll be with me forever,” Celeste sald, cuddling into Cindy with a bright smile. you don’t lave to be afraid either we’ll be right here, waiting!”
Her words wrapped around Cindy like a warm brace she gently ran her fingers through Celeste’s soft hair, smiling
“Okay, I’ll do what you said ”
Cindy knew star could never take call shir owed Celeste and Sylvan
There was a time she’d been so se on dying that she couldn’t see Sylvar’s love right before her. It took Celeste’s presence to drag her back from the edge and make
de had found the light turant for her Celeste, with her kindness and thoughtfulness, and sylvan, whose care was evident in every small ges
When she thought of Anth www, all that remained in her heart was peace.
gesture. They were gifts
Cudy understood her best friend better than anyone. She knew Winter would never resent her the way the Forsyth family did, but that knowledge did nothing ease the guilt tearing at her insides…
She’d already paid her dues if only death could absolve hersins.
she remembered bow Sylvan had dragged her from the freezing river that day,
ay, his desperate tears hitting her ice–cold sken as she barely clung to life.
“I don’t care if you want to diel- he’d shouted. “You’re going to live! Your life isn’t just yours now. It’s mine, too! You don’t get to die!”
Half of her soul now belonged to Sylvan. And Cindy knew that even if Arthur stood before her at this very moment, demanding her life in exchange for Winter’s, she wouldn’t choose death again.
Cindy’s surgery was set for this weekend. Sylvan dropped Celeste off at his cousin’s place to stay while they were
hey were at the hospital.
Celeste balled her tiny hands into fists, putting on a brave face. “Mommy, I’ll be right here when you get back!
“You bet, Celeste,” Cindy said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Once I’ve recovered, we’ll go to the amusement park”
“Uncle Sylvan’s coming, too!
“Wouldn’t dream of leaving him behind. Drive safely,” Cindy said, waving at her while Sylvan fastened Celeste into the back seat with the seatbelt
She wasn’t as composed as she pretended to be. A thread of nervousness wound through her, thin but persistent
Thure years ago, Cindy never would’ve believed she’d tight so hard to stay alive. But she had Celeste and Sylvan And nothing in this world could bring her down
under a blanket of snow outside the window, gliwing
