Chapter 416
Hearing about the evidence sent a wave of emotions through Evelyn. After battling through countless dark days, she had clawed her way back to find her strength. She kept telling herself, over and over, to be patient for Charlie’s sake. “Don’t rush, stay calm,” she chanted internally. She couldn’t let Charles and Dahlia get under her skin anymore. But how could she not feel rushed? Dahlia had wronged her beloved, and the anger coursed through her like wildfire. Evelyn dreamed of the day she could seek justice for Charlie.
Now, discovering that Dahlia was nothing but a fraud, Evelyn was itching to get her hands on concrete evidence. She wanted to tear Dahlia’s mask off right in front of Charles.
“Mom, where’s the evidence?” Evelyn asked, her voice edged with urgency.
Nearby, the nurse’s ears perked up at the mention of evidence, and she subtly edged closer to the hospital bed. She worried Josephine might speak too softly for her to catch the crucial details.
Adam and Evelyn were both laser-focused on Josephine, oblivious to the nurse’s movements. Until…
Just as Josephine was about to reveal the evidence’s whereabouts, a sudden shortness of breath overcame her. She gasped, unable to speak, as the monitor started blaring an alert.
“Mom!” Evelyn cried.
“Godmother!” Adam echoed, their eyes wide with shock.
The nurse, startled, realized she’d accidentally knocked Josephine’s oxygen tube loose. Her face blanched as she stammered, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”
In a flurry of panic, Evelyn hit the call button for help, while Adam dashed out to find a doctor. Andrew hurried in just in time. Josephine had only experienced a brief spell without oxygen, thankfully unharmed, though she slipped into a short coma.
It was evident Josephine hadn’t been taking adequate rest. Andrew added a sedative to her IV to ensure she could finally relax.
After Andrew left, the nurse, wracked with guilt, apologized again to Evelyn, “Ms. Evelyn, I truly am sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Evelyn looked at the remorseful
nurse, who had usually been diligent in caring for her mother and had a good relationship with her. Despite the recent slip-ups, Evelyn had already made up her mind to find a replacement. She planned to wait until her mother regained consciousness to discuss it.
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Evelyn said firmly.
“I promise, it won’t,” the nurse vowed, almost swearing on it.
From then on, she performed her duties faultlessly. Evelyn didn’t say anything
more.
…
In the hospital bed, Sandy’s tears began to flow as soon as she saw Charles. Her eyes, puffy from crying, looked up at him with a heartbreaking vulnerability. She stretched out her arms, her voice a pitiful whimper, “Daddy…”
Charles’ heart broke at the sight. He rushed to her, wrapping her in his arms without a second thought gently wiping away her tears, and
med softly, “Daddy’s here,
Sandy. Don’t be scared.”
“Daddy, I thought you didn’t want me anymore,” Sandy whispered, clinging to him, pressing into his warmth.
“How could I ever do that? Daddy promised to always be here for you. I won’t leave you. Be a good girl, no more tears,” he soothed, gently patting her back.
Charles felt a twinge of guilt. So much had happened recently, and he knew he had let things slip with Sandy.
Sandy sniffled, refusing to leave his embrace, instead burrowing closer, “Daddy…” Charles indulged her completely.
Dahlia watched from the sidelines, a wave of jealousy crashing over her as she saw Sandy freely seeking comfort in Charles’ arms, with him responding so tenderly.