Chapter 14
Phoebe glanced sideways toward the balcony, where Vance had just finished a call. Her lips curved slightly. “Rowena, Thelma said she saw your mom with a man last night. Maybe she was just busy. She might not have meant what she said.”
“Busy?”
The word was spat out like venom, wrapped in ice.
Vance’s voice was frigid, his presence colder still.
‘So that’s why she didn’t answer my calls–she was off with another man. Perfect. Just perfect, he thought.
A flash of panic crossed Phoebe’s face. “Vance, Thelma might’ve misunderstood. It could’ve been nothing.”
Her voice grew faint, the excuse trailing off.
Vance’s expression darkened further. Without another word,
e turned and stormed out of the room, pulling out his phone to dial Estela again–this time, seething.
“Where are you?”
“At the hospital.”
He narrowed his eyes and gave a cold laugh. ‘Probably found out from Rowena’s call, didn’t she?‘ he thought.
“So you do remember this place. All done with your little outing, Mrs. Leon?”
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Chapter 14
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Estela frowned in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
His voice dropped even lower, sharp as a blade. “Don’t play dumb. You’re here already, so stop pretending. VIP Room 506. Get here. Now.”
Then he hung up–curt and cold.
Estela knew if she didn’t go and explain the mugwort incident
in person, the situation would only spiral further out of
control.
She took a deep breath and tightened the sash on her hospital gown.
Just outside the room, Vance was already pacing, impatient.
He was about to call her again when–click–the door to a regular ward across the hall opened.
A slim figure stepped out. She looked fragile and drawn, her tiny, pale face nearly colorless. One hand shakily held up an IV drip bag as she walked.
Vance’s dark eyes flickered, and his expression faltered, suddenly unreadable. “.You’re here?”
s gaze swept lightly across Vance’s face. She didn’t In the least bit surprised to see him.
“Aren’t you already aware?” she said calmly, then ended the call with a tap.
Vance’s expression darkened. “You’re sick–why didn’t you say anything?”
When he saw her struggling to hold up the IV bag, he
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Chapter 14
instinctively stepped forward to help.
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But Estela turned away, sidestepping him and pulling out the needle herself with practiced calm. “No need to trouble
yourself, Mr. Leon. I can take care of myself. If I’m sick, I know to call a doctor.”
The last time she had the flu, she’d been in so much pain she could barely move. Out of desperation, she’d sent him a
message.
And what had he said? Something like: Sick? Go to the hospital. What do you want me to do, treat you?
Vance seemed to vaguely recall her bringing it up, but he’d never imagined it had been serious.
His gaze grew heavy, unreadable. “Estela. are you angry with me?”
Just then, two small figures burst out of the ward, drawn by the sound of voices.
When they saw Estela standing there in a hospital gown, both froze in shock.
“Mom? You. you’re sick?”
Josh hadn’t seen her in a while. His joy at seeing Estela quickly turned to panic, and he rushed forward, clutching her hand tightly.
He might’ve found her overbearing sometimes, but he never wanted her to be sick.
Rowena stood in the doorway, stunned, her voice barely a whisper. “Mom. you’re in the hospital? Is it because I. cursed
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Chapter 14
you earlier? I didn’t mean it–I take it back.”
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Her eyes filled with tears, her expression overcome with guilt. and fear
But Estela didn’t open her arms or offer comfort. Instead, she met Rowena’s eyes and said evenly, “That’s right. Thanks to you, I fell seriously ill–but unfortunately, I didn’t quite manage to die.”
Both children instantly teared up.
“Josh, Rowena–what’s wrong? Who upset you?” A worried voice called from inside the room.
Phoebe stumbled out of bed, flustered and weak. She moved too quickly and nearly collapsed just as she reached the doorway.
“Phoebe!” Rowena and Josh shrieked and immediately rushed past Estela to help her.
But Vance, who was closest, stepped in and caught her before she could fall.
“You’re still recovering. Stay in bed,” he said, brows furrowed- but his eyes were full of concern.
“I’m fine,” Phoebe said softly, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. “I just got worried when I heard the kids yelling.”
Estela watched the whole scene quietly, the pain in her chest sinking deeper, like a knife slowly twisting.
‘Love or indifference–it’s so obvious now. How could I have
been so blind for so long?‘ she thought.
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Chapter 14
Phoebe finally noticed Estela standing there. Her eyes widened. “Estela, you’re here? I thought last night you-”
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Before she could finish, Vance cut in, his voice cold. “Estela,
explain why your clothes were laced with mugwort.”
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