Chapter 419
He shot a conspiratorial wink in Eileen’s direction.
Eileen approached with a gentle smile. “You’ve filled out a bit, but it suits you. You’ve got that maternal glow now, just like me. How could I ever find you unattractive?”
“But you never gained weight,” Phoebe countered, her voice thick with tears. “I’ve ballooned by at least fifty pounds since before I was pregnant.”
Well, that was a considerable difference! Eileen had only gained thirty pounds throughout her pregnancy, and miraculously snapped back to her original weight a month after giving birth.
“Let’s be honest, neither of us were beauty queens right after delivery,” Eileen admitted, trying to comfort the tearful Phoebe. “But for the sake of the little one, it’s all worth it. Once the baby’s a bit older, we can tackle those extra pounds together as a team.”
Despite Eileen’s efforts, Phoebe remained enveloped in a gloomy cloud.
Gwyneth and Phoebe’s mother returned with the baby in tow. Eileen exchanged pleasantries, all smiles and polite conversation.
It wouldn’t do for Bryan and Jacob to linger, so they excused themselves and found a quiet corner to chat.
Due to past unpleasantness with Vivian, Phoebe’s mother hadn’t exactly shown Eileen much warmth. But now, with the tides shifting, her demeanor had changed dramatically, her words laced with a touch of fawning flattery.
Gwyneth joined in with compliments, making Eileen squirm in her seat.
“Let’s not dwell on bygones,” Eileen interjected, offering a few more polite remarks before strategically excusing herself from the room.
The hospital corridors buzzed with activity, punctuated by the occasional wail of a newborn. Despite searching high and low, Eileen couldn’t locate Bryan or Jacob. They’d likely found a refuge away from the social whirl.
While a quiet respite in the small garden sounded tempting, fate intervened as she reached the lobby.
There, she spotted Julio practically sprinting down the hall, his assistant trailing behind, diligently absorbing his instructions.
A jolt of memory struck Eileen. Julio had brought Dalores to the hospital. Where was Dalores now?
Eileen’s curiosity got the best of her, and she couldn’t help but ask the nurses in the inpatient department where Dalores was located.
As she approached Dalores’ room, she noticed several bodyguards stationed outside, all of whom acknowledged her presence. “Ms. Curtis.”
“Is Miss Sampson inside?” Eileen asked.
.
.