Chapter 13
apter 13
Chapter 13
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In the ward, Ernest, Sylvia, and Irene all turned toward the voice. Their expressions shifted the moment they saw Stella standing in the doorway.
Sylvia awkwardly pulled back the plush toy. “I just thought Irene might be bored in the hospital all by herself. Stella ignored her and looked straight at Ernest.
“I contacted you last night and told you Irene has allergies,” she said, her voice shaking slightly and her hands trembling at her sides. She had to admit she still cared about her daughter.
“Now Irene is in the hospital because of an allergic reaction, and you didn’t even bother to find out what caused it. Ernest, is this how a father should act?” Stella stared coldly at him. It was the first time she had ever spoken to him with such
conviction.
For a moment, everyone in the room was too stunned to react. Ernest sat with a deep frown, while Sylvia looked more uncomfortable than ever.
“Irene, I’m so sorry. This is my fault. I should have taken better care of you,” Sylvia said hastily, her voice flustered. “I’ll leave now. Please rest well.”
When she heard that Sylvia was leaving, Irene’s face fell. Then she looked pleadingly at Stella. “Mom, please don’t be mad at Ms. Jansen. I was the one who wanted the face paint. And I’m okay now. Can we just drop it?”
Stella looked down at Irene’s still–flushed cheeks. Her heart ached as she saw Irene defend Sylvia so desperately. When Stella stayed quiet, Irene’s lips trembled, her eyes welling up with tears.
A suffocating silence filled the ward. It was Ernest who finally broke it. “My fault.” As he stood, his suit jacket swept coldly through the air. Then he stepped closer to the bed, his shadow falling over Stella.
“I’ll have Sean prepare a full list of Irene’s allergens. It won’t happen again.” His voice was deep and steady, giving away nothing of what he felt.
Stella thought to herself, ‘I only said a few words about that plush toy, and they both jumped in to take the blame, not daring to say one word against Sylvia. What else can I even say? Now Irene’s looking at her like that, clearly not wanting her to leave. How pathetic of me to come rushing here in a panic.’
Stella let out a soft laugh. Her eyes settled on Ernest, all emotion now carefully held back. “Richard wants us to bring Irene to Lloyd Manor tonight. I tried calling you several times. Since you didn’t answer, I came myself.”
Ernest froze. He glanced at his phone but offered no explanation. “Okay. The doctor said Irene can be discharged after this IV drip. We can go back to Lloyd Manor tonight.”
Stella gave a brief nod. “Message delivered. I still have work to do, so I’ll be on my way.” Ernest looked faintly surprised that she was actually leaving.
In the past, Stella had always put Irene and him first, never letting anything get in the way of caring for them. But then he figured it out. ‘She’s even working on the weekend. She must be struggling to get used to having a job.‘
Ernest’s tone softened. “Let me know what time you finish work. Once the doctor confirms Irene is okay, we can come pick you up.”
Stella refused without hesitation. “That won’t be necessary. Let’s just meet at the entrance of Lloyd Manor at a set time.” Her cold attitude made Ernest’s brow furrow even deeper.
The sound of Stella’s heels faded down the hallway. It was Sylvia’s gentle voice comforting Irene that finally snapped Ernest
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3:25 pm P P P P
Chapter 13
back to the moment.
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When he looked down, he saw Irene pouting, her expression full of grievance. “What’s wrong? You could even tie a ribbon on that lower lip.”
Irene felt a deep sadness welling up inside, and her mind was flooded with tangled thoughts. ‘I don’t hate Mom. I also want to be with Mom. She’s been working every day and didn’t even come home at night. I really miss her!
‘I thought when Mom started working, I could play more with Ms. Jansen during the day, and still come home to Mom’s warm oatmeal and her hugs at night. But now Mom doesn’t come home at all, and she’s so cold to Ms. Jansen!
‘Why can’t they just get along? Why does Mom always get upset whenever Ms. Jansen is around? Before, whenever Ms. Jansen wanted to take me out, Mom would say it was too late or too dangerous or that my allergies might act up. No wonder Ms. Jansen thought Mom was just trying to keep us apart.
‘And this time, I was the one who wanted the face paint, but Mom blamed Ms. Jansen without even asking. Even giving me a plush toy was wrong. Mom must have heard us talking about the amusement park at the door. That’s why she brought up Great–Grandpa, just to ruin our plans!
‘I wanted to talk to her about it, but she seemed so angry. I didn’t dare. Why isn’t Mom happy when someone is nice to me? Doesn’t she want me to have fun? ‘
“Dad,” Irene began softly under the gaze of Ernest and Sylvia, her voice barely a whisper. She felt torn. ‘If I say I’d rather go play with Ms. Jansen than visit Great–Grandpa, will Dad get mad too? It has been a while since we saw him. Mom has become so sneaky lately, even using Great–Grandpa against us. How annoying.
Sylvia seemed to know what Irene was thinking and smiled gently. “It’s okay, Irene. If we can’t go to the amusement park this weekend, we’ll go next time. Don’t be sad, alright?”
Sylvia’s words only made Irene feel worse. ‘See? Ms. Jansen gets me right away. Why can’t Mom?‘ Irene complained silently to herself.
“Dad, let’s go see Great–Grandpa tonight, but can we leave early tomorrow?” Irene took Ernest’s hand, swinging it gently as she pleaded. “You can just say you have to go to the company. Great–Grandpa won’t mind. Please, Dad?”
‘Only when Dad says he has work will Great–Grandpa let us leave early. And then not even Mom can stop us. I’m such a genius!‘ In that moment, Irene felt she was the cleverest girl in the world.
“We’ll see,” Ernest replied vaguely. Even so, Irene happily hugged Sylvia. In her mind, as long as her dad softened even a little, that meant yes.
The heavy atmosphere in the ward lifted completely, replaced by light conversations and laughter, as if the earlier tension had never existed.
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