Chapter 89
Once she woke up, they’d send her away from Novandria.
Lara–he’d arrange for her to leave the country as well.
He and Laney would finally get their lives back on track.
Blanche had no desire to prolong the conversation with Loraine, so she simply let Vesta accompany her to the apartment.
As the family van pulled out of the underground garage, Healy suddenly darted out from the curb and threw himself in front of the car.
The butler slammed on the brakes, heart pounding, and Blanche’s nerves were rattled.
The butler rushed out, checked Healy over to make sure he wasn’t hurt, and then brought him back into the car.
“Mom, I want to stay with you at the apartment,” Healy pleaded. “I don’t want to stay here,”
Just then, Lauren came running out from the old manor. She gave Blanche a polite nod before grabbing Healy’s arm. “Young master, you scared me half to death! You can’t just run off like that without telling anyone.”
“Your piano teacher is already here–Tia’s started her lesson. We need to get back, or your father will be angry.”
“I’m not going back.” Healy clung to Blanche’s hand, tears already welling up. “Mom, I don’t want to practice piano. I want to go with you.“”
Blanche just looked at him, her face unreadable. Seeing this, Lauren tried to pull Healy away. “Young master, your father just wants what’s best for you. After piano, you’ve got literature class, and after that, penmanship…”
As Lauren listed out the endless lessons, Healy burst into tears, sobbing, “No! No! Mom, please help me!”
He looked up at Blanche with big, desperate eyes, convinced she would take pity on him and bring him to live with her. Then he wouldn’t have to study anymore. He’d even be able to do what Grandma asked of him.
Just a few minutes earlier, Healy had locked himself in the bathroom, refusing to hand over his smartwatch to the butler. He called Lara, but instead, Rhoda
answered.
1/3
Спартет ву
Rhoda said she was Lara’s grandmother, and that meant she was his grandmother
too.
[Healy, do you want Lara to stay with you?
Of course!
If your mom has another baby, Lara will never be able to stay with you again, do you understand? I heard from Miss Jean that your mom isn’t well. Having another baby could put her life in danger. You don’t want anything to happen to your mom, do you?
No, I don’t!
If you just make sure your mom falls, the baby won’t survive. That way, your mom will be safe, and Lara can stay with you forever. Healy, if Miss Jean dies, Lara will only have you left. You don’t want to see her sent away, do you?
Healy grew frantic–he couldn’t let Lara be sent away.]
Hanging up in a panic, Healy snuck past Lauren and ran out of the old house.
Now, Lauren had dragged him several yards away. Healy’s sobs grew more desperate as he struggled wildly, his little body smeared with dirt and mud from the lawn, his white shirt stained and tattered.
He looked up at Blanche, eyes red and streaked with tears, begging, “Mom! I want my mom!”
The sound of his anguished cries tore at Blanche’s heart, a dull ache twisting in her stomach–a bond she couldn’t ignore.
No matter what Eddy or Jeannette had done to her, Healy himself bore no guilt. He was just a child, led astray by others.
He was her son, the only blood relative she had left in this world after ten long months of carrying him and a complicated delivery.
Blanche stepped out of the car and said, “Let him go. He’s coming with me.”
Lauren hesitated for a moment, then let go.
Healy immediately threw himself into Blanche’s arms, his tears and snot soaking into her dress as he sobbed, “Mom.”
That innocent little voice was like a choir of angels, striking straight at her heart,
Blanche hugged Healy tightly. “Healy, come with me–let’s get out of here.”
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For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to take Healy far away from all of this.
Without Eddy’s interference, maybe her Healy could truly change.
Healy nodded vigorously, and for the first time in days, Blanche managed a genuine smile.
She helped Healy into the car, then turned to Lauren, who looked worried about Eddy’s reaction.
“Tell him this was my decision,” she said. “Pack some of Healy’s things and have a driver bring them to the apartment later.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Lauren replied.
Healy stood on the car seat behind Blanche, glancing at the muddy grass beneath her feet. Suddenly, he reached out and shoved her hard in the back.
“Ah-!”
A scream tore through the air.
20-22
