chapters
Erosheshtur ringg’s office, panik gripping me Invade, Husbeth in on a couch contounded by several doctors and mees
beband me, Tomi qrought my ann, his cabın vokar steadying me “Don’twerry, With the doctors here, your mom will be fine, t
Thook a deep breath, trytur ferimpose monell fit whim Tsum Elzabeth bring wheeled into the emergency rom, I coulda Thold it together. Leaning against the wall, I slid to the
– late stages of liver camoen, her body frail and weak. Anstorm, Gala’s scandal hat caused her men lapse
mediately dialed navin’s manbri
He hadtemplamomating to thyabeth himself, to clear this gununderstanding
The phone rang ton over ten seconds, but no one
Justas despair began to set in, the call finally connected.
“Hello, hanry, you
Before I could finish, Windownercame through.
“Dracy, Gavin’s pime out to pot medicine for me. He left his plume herr, is there something urgent? Team relay the message to him”
Through tear–filledeves, I saw the phone being taken tion my hand Startled, Hooked up to meet Tom’s deep, steady gaze, The dam broke, and tears streamed down my dice
“Donten “Tom’s brow furrowed slightly. His hand reached toward nie, but he hesitated, clenched it into a fist, and withdrew
|hamptown, mping my loves with frimiding hands.
No matter how upset you are, don’t hamu yourself. Get up–it’s cold on the floor,” Tom said, lifting me to my feet and guiding me to a nearby bench.
The hour–long war felt like an elemily.
White light above the mercy room finally dimmed, I shot to my feet and rushed to the door as Dr. Hill stepped out
He glanced briefly at Tom before turning to me “Don’t worry, Ms. Sanners. Your nom is stable now, but her body is still very weak and needs rest
thms, but keep it shart.”
Himed toward the parent room but stopped hallway suddenly remembering Tom. When I turned back, I saw him leaning casually against the wall, speaking with Dr. Hill
Whatever Dr, Hil sød made Tom frown slightly, his dark res sharp and commandine, exuding an overwhelming sense of authority. Dr. Hill gave a sheepish smile, raising his fund to mark turamider. The two seemed to know each other well.
Beatining they had matters to docuss, I turned back and headed to the patient rou
inside, Elizabeth was still sleep from the exhaustion of the operation. Her gaunt hand rested is mine as I sat by her side. Looking at her ted but peace face, my tightly wound
nally relord, and I couldn’t bald back my ears any longer.
Cong by mouth, I subbed quietly, pouring out all the frustration and sorrow I had been holding in
Iddot know how king I cried. When finally wiped my tears and took a deep breath, I reminded myself that tears wouldn’t solve anything
Tud turundian Gemndout what had Jugored today.
it heruddin’t give me a betastatury explanation, doce might be the only option
The thought made my chest tichten with sonow
maliy sets at 12 years does a person pet in their lifetime!
bestad Enowing he had someone else in his heart, why had believed iconewtually wan theonly obstacle between these was tr
daays be sperial.
A fissur appeared astront of me Mylavalni, Alex, sod fair, his expression a mix of nation andocen “Alex,” Helt the trans welling up again.
He frowned, dabbing at my loves with the tissue, bis nivements surprisingly gentle despite his grill dement
“ok you from the start that Guren won’t the right pay for you fut no, you just had to marry him, stubborn as a mole.
Sering me lower mon head he sighed heavily and cuttled imy bau. “What’s going on with davin an bat intress? if he really cheated on you. I’ll make him pay, even if it costs me
“No “t shook my heal
stinctively, unsure if I was trying
“an and Mandy grew up together, that’s all sides, I was there buc”
“Then it must be a misunderstanding “Alex pursed his lips. glanced at Elizabeth’s frall ligote on the bed, and took a deep breath. “Dr. Hill said Mom’s body can’t take any more stress. If this resîh, is a misunderstanding, bring Gavin to the hospital tomorrow and clear things up for her. She deserves peace of mind.”
A Trip poke in my throat, and I nodded “Alight, Twill”
After a brief conversation. Alex shooed me away, insisting I get some rest
As I opened the patient room door to leave, I noticed a tall figure standing at the end of the hallway
As soon as he saw the step out, he stabbed out his cigarette in the nearby bin and strode toward me
“Is your mom okuru now?
“Stars Ding,” Pwas surprised he had waited for so long and felt a twinge of guilt. “Thank you, Tom.”
“What
the formalities?” Tom raised an eyebrow, his posture lazy but his smile warm. “Come on, I’ll drive you home”
Soon, the car slowly pulled in the Gould family estate.
I stepped out of Tom’s car, my mother–in–law, Amelia Foster, hurried out of the house to greet us.
Tom Her face was full of surprise as her gaze darted back and forth between Ton and me. “Why are you the one bringing Grace home?”
“I went to Gent’s office to look for him, but he wasn’t there. I ran into Grace on the way, so I offered her a ride back,” Tom replied casually.
ravis wasn’t at the office that boy is so busy these days; I hardly ever see him!” Amelia muttered absentmindedly before quickly shifting the topic. “It’s so rare for you to visit. Tom You’re not leaving today. Stay and have lunch with
I stood quietly to the side, not saying a word.
and I got married, Tom had rarely visited the Gould family home. Then he suddenly enlisted in the military, disappearing from our lives for years.
(past two years, Gevin had barely mentioned Tom’s name, leading me to believe their childhood friendship had faded with time.
just as I assumed Torn would politely decl
about it so much couldn’t sleep
Invitation, be surprised me with a laugh. “It’s been ages since I’ve had your cooking. During my time in the military, I’ve dreamed
I was startled by his decision to stay and glanced up at him in surprise, only to find his gaze already on me
Caught off guard, I quickly lowered my land, unsure why his attention had shifted to me.
“You sweet beker!“Amelia said with a laugh. “but all that charm, and you still haven’t brought home a wife, Clavin’s been married for two years now. When will it be your turn>
his eyes briefly flickering back to me.” guess I just don’t have Gavin’s.
Tomba
live an answer for everything!“Amelia scolded him playfully, and the two of them continued chatting and laughing as they walked toward the living room round of all engine roaring through the air.
Amelia stopped and turned back. When she saw the familiar black Maybach polling into the driveway, her face lit up with joy
“Garvin’s back“” she reclaimed happily
But the moment the car door opened, and the person who stepped out was revealed, her smile froze on her face.
It wasn’t Grin
It was Mandy Green.
“Mrs Goudd, it’s beroaschile.” Mandysaid gracefully as she stepped out of the car, her smile radiant and poised.
Amelia’s Ex veida kened slightly, but with others present, she held back her dagleasure.
ke it,” Mandy said, offering a beautibille weapped bag with both hands.
Manche, ustapeil, maintained her bright demeanor and turned to me instrat, holding out the gift. “Girice, could you hold this for Mrs. Gold?”
but i ditte’t even look at Mahy. My are was fixed on cast as he stepped out from the other side of the car, holding a bag of medicine – Holy the same medication Mandy hat
Leven the phone.
Uhat moment, 1 felka sharp, stabbing pain in my chest
So when there han the most gaini
“okay, why me you tell vinding the
“steady said i beerfully, grabbing my hand to Ince the giant
Tisled by anger. 1 immediately pulled my hand away, not caring about appearances
Manche’s tave hover, her cheemdespersion Tafirring She tinned to funds with a pleading look.
Lynn thowed, about to say something when a stem vel e came from the house.
“pracy summers Where are you manners we have a guest, and you dare act so rudely? Who taught you this kind of behavior?
Vetar dinkd, my lather–in- les virade but, glaring at me with furrowed brows
His words không, bringing up to upbringing
My anger winged. ““) didn’t reduce the Gould family had a mile about welcoming uninvited prests. Perhaps you can teach me, med? Victoria tace hunted a shale darker, clearly not expecting my reton: “What nonsense are you spouting? Standy is not an invited guest“:
Victor opened his mouth, but seeing the sharp look Alia sent his way, he quickly swallowed his words. “I won’t argue with you about this!”
