Chapter 210
Chapter 210:
She burst into the boutique just as Monica was browsing a rack of velvet blazers, while Noah leaned heavily against a display table, gasping for air.
“Monica!” Aurora called out.
Monica turned, her face twisting into a sneer when she recognized Aurora. “You. What do you want? Stalking us now?”
Aurora ignored her. She knelt in front of Noah. Up close, it was worse. His breathing was rapid and shallow, his skin clammy and grey.
“He needs a hospital,” Aurora said, looking up at Monica. Her voice was steady, commanding. “Now. Look at his lips. He’s not getting oxygen. This is the aftermath of what happened at the Manor, isn’t it? You never took him in. Or you took him out against orders.”
“Get away from him!” Monica shrieked, slapping Aurora’s hand away. “Don’t touch him with your dirty hands!”
“He’s in cardiac distress,” Aurora pressed, standing up to block Monica’s path. “Monica, listen to me. He is dying on his feet.”
“You’re crazy,” Monica laughed, looking around for support. Other shoppers stopped to watch the drama. “Vivian told me about you. You’re just jealous. You want to ruin everyone’s day.”
“Vivian is a socialite, not a doctor!” Aurora yelled, losing her patience. “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about!”
“She’s a Kensington!” Monica yelled back. “She gave me the cure! She knows better than a trailer park girl who thinks she’s a nurse!”
Noah slid down the side of the display table. His eyes rolled back slightly, showing the whites.
“Mommy,” he whispered. “Tired.”
“See? He’s just tired,” Monica said, grabbing Noah’s arm and yanking him upright. “Stand up straight, Noah. Stop embarrassing me.”
“Check his pulse!” Aurora pleaded. “Just check it! It’s thready!”
“Security!” Monica screamed. “I am a VIP client! This woman is harassing me! Get her out!”
Two large guards in black suits materialized. They looked at Monica, recognizing the expensive clothes and the entitlement. Then they looked at Aurora, who was dressed in simple streetwear, despite her status.
“This woman is harassing us,” Monica declared, pointing a manicured finger at Aurora. “Remove her.”
The guard stepped between them. “Ma’am, you need to leave.”
“I am Aurora Kensington,” Aurora stated, her voice icy. “And this child requires medical attention.”
The guard hesitated, recognizing the name. But Monica stepped forward, her face inches from the guard’s. “And I am the mother! I have custody! If you let this stranger touch my son, I will sue this store for everything it’s worth! She has no legal right!”
The threat of a lawsuit was the magic word. The guard’s face hardened. Legal custody trumped a Good Samaritan every time.
“Ma’am,” the guard said, taking Aurora’s arm firmly. “You have no rights here. Please step outside before we call the police for trespassing.”
Aurora looked at the guard, then at Noah. Desperation clawed at her throat. She couldn’t fight the guards without hurting them, and that would get her arrested, helping no one.
“Please,” Aurora said to the guard. “Look at the boy. He needs an ambulance.”