Chapter 218
Ladd and Pauline lounged on the terrace, enjoying the slow pace of their holiday.
“Pauline, I’m just glad Latham met Dorothea. Honestly, if he hadn’t, I don’t know what I would’ve done with that boy p>
Pauline grinned. “Come on, Latham’s good-looking. What could possibly worry you p>
“You have no idea. The night Hattie died, Latham got into a terrible car crash. The doctors said he might lose his legs. I had Scott take care of Hattie’s funeral while I flew overseas to find the best specialists, just to make sure Latham could keep his
legs p>
Pauline’s eyes widened. “It was that bad p>
Ladd still felt a chill run through him just remembering it. Back then, he’d shut down all the news, refused to let the media say a single word. Even though he was drowning in grief, he had to keep himself together and sit by Hattie’s side, keeping vigil like nothing else mattered.
That was when Ladd realized money couldn’t do everything. It couldn’t save Hattie.
And of course, Jarrett showed up, blaming him for not protecting Hattie. Ladd nearly punched him right then and there, but Scott stepped in and stopped it from getting ugly.
When Hattie was finally laid to rest, Ladd barely left Latham’s side. But Latham was in a dark place, and rehab was brutal. Scott suggested sending him abroad for treatment. Latham agreed, but he wouldn’t let anyone go with him. Ladd snuck out there a few times anyway, just to watch Latham grind through therapy. He’d stand in the shadows, wiping away tears so no one would see.
It felt like he’d aged ten years overnight. He would have taken Latham as a wild, reckless kid any day, as long as he could walk. The thought of him stuck in a wheelchair forever was unbearable.
“But he pulled through,” Ladd said, finally smiling. “He actually made it. Even the doctors said it was a miracle. His injuries were so bad, and to recover like he did… most people would have given up. Out of ten thousand, maybe one would get that lucky p>
Pauline smiled softly. “You know, there’s a saying. After you go through real pain, the rest of life feels sweet p>
Ladd laughed a little. “Marrying Dorothea is plenty sweet p>
Just hearing Dorothea’s name made Pauline’s expression turn thoughtful. “She’s always been gentle. When Eaton was alive, he spoiled her like a little princess. But happiness nevert lasts. She was only five, sobbing so hard at the memorial she fainted. You can’t imagine how cruel her mom was p>
“When my son died, Dorothea started having nightmares. We tried everything, but nothing helped. Elise was barely at home, always out, Phil and I begged her to come back earlier, but she just did whatever she wanted p>
“In the end, I was the one who held Dorothea every night until she fell asleep. It took
a month, but her nightmares finally stopped p>
That was when Dorothea changed, going from a cheerful kid to being quiet and withdrawn.
Pauline worried about her all the time.
And then Elise announced she wanted to remarry. She came to talk about it, made it clear she didn’t plan to take Dorothea with her. We had to beg her just to get her to agree to take Dorothea for holidays.
Afterwards, Phil pulled Pauline aside and said Dorothea had overheard everything.
Pauline’s heart broke for that little girl. Just five years old, and already with so much pain, thanks to a mother like that. She was angry too, at how Elise could be so cold.
“I always worried Dorothea would
get bullied because she’s so soft.
Phil and are getting older, we can’t always protect her. When a kid.
does
1.n
have someone to lean on,
it’s easy to feel insecure, She’s kind and sentimental. Back then, thought those were weaknesses. I used to wish she could be a little tougher p>