Chapter 242
“You’re out of line!”
Rebekah stepped in front of Eddy, shielding him with her body.
She wouldn’t let anyone lay a hand on him.
“You haven’t cared for Healy in three years–what right do you have to blame Eddy now?”
“Eddy works nonstop. It’s no wonder he isn’t up to date on every detail about Healy’s meds.”
Blanche’s eyes were bloodshot, but she kept her gaze fixed on Eddy. “Have you been hurting him?”
Eddy gently pushed Rebekah aside and reached for Blanche’s hand.
She recoiled as if shocked by an electric current, yanking her hand away.
“Honey, how could I ever hurt our son?” Eddy’s tone was soft, almost soothing.
It was just the orphanage, after all.
“Mom, Dad never hurt me.” Healy’s voice broke in from the hallway.
He pressed a hand to his chest, clearly struggling, and tried to explain, “Mom, these bruises don’t hurt anymore.”
“It was just some kids at the home. I talked to them, and they promised not to hit me again.”
Blanche stared at the way Healy held his chest, listening as he continued.
“Mom, I did what you said. I stopped picking on the other kids, and I don’t fight anymore.”
“Honey, you’re accusing me unfairly,” Eddy said with a wounded look.
“Mr. Simmons, I think it’s inappropriate for you to call my wife ‘honey,” said Ablett as he approached, slipping an arm around Blanche’s shoulders. “I’d appreciate it if you showed some respect.”
Eddy met Ablett’s cool gaze but didn’t respond. Instead, he glanced over at Healy.
“Mom, my chest hurts so much.” Healy’s face was paper white, pitiful in its frailty.
But Blanche didn’t look at him. Healy was the Simmons family’s precious
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treasure–she didn’t need to worry about him. “He’s awake, so he can go home.
“From now on, don’t come here again.”
She walked out, her heart twisting in agony at the words ‘heart condition?
Healy tried to climb out of bed to follow her, but he was too weak and collapsed, whispering, “Mom, don’t go. My heart hurts so much.”
When he was younger, the smallest scrape would send his mom rushing to his side in a panic.
Healy was almost eight now. He understood what marriage meant, what it meant to be someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend.
He’d overheard his aunt and one of the bodyguards talking–his mom was going to marry someone else. She didn’t want Dad or him anymore.
His mom couldn’t marry someone else.
He’d begged the bodyguard to bring him to the McCarthy estate.
That man–he was the one Mom was going to marry.
Everyone was terrified of Dad, but not this man. Not one bit.
He’d watched as his mom slapped his dad across the face. It made his heart ache.
But what hurt even more was the way Mom looked at Dad now–so angry, as though she’d never forgive him.
She might ignore Dad, but the moment she heard he was being mistreated, she’d flown into a rage.
Maybe, just maybe, she’d still care about him.
A seed of hope began to grow in Healy’s heart.
Outside, Ablett held an umbrella over Blanche, sheltering her close as he walked her
away.
Blanche paused at the doorstep, turned, and grabbed Ablett’s sleeve, lowering her voice. “Director, do you think Mamie could have a heart problem too?”
Healy had always been healthy. He got regular check–ups every year–how co suddenly have a heart condition?
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What about her Mamie?
Eddy stood at the doorway, watching their retreating figures.
Ablett’s tall frame all but swallowed up Blanche’s petite figure. His hand rested protectively on her back.
He was holding her.
Through the curtain of rain, the scene blurred, and Eddy’s chest tightened with pain. As the door across the way shut, he couldn’t stop picturing what might happen behind it. The pressure in his chest became unbearable; he coughed up blood and collapsed on the spot.
Rebekah shrieked in alarm.
An ambulance sped out of the McCarthy estate’s side drive.
When Eddy came to, all he saw was the blinding white ceiling of a hospital room.
Rebekah was bustling around, tending to him. When she saw his eyes open, she hurried over. “Eddy-”
His voice was hoarse, tinged with exhaustion. “Rebekah, I need a favor.”
He’d never asked for help before, but for his wife, he was willing to do anything.
“Let me talk to Laney alone.”
“Bring her here to the hospital. Tell her Healy’s here.”
that cart,
Rebekah looked at his handsome face, drawn and weary, and felt her heart flutter. She remembered the day the two of them crashed into the sea in that helicopter. She remembered her brother’s unwavering vow to marry Blanche. Even though she knew she shouldn’t help, she hesitated.
