The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 396

Half an hour later, the meeting wrapped up.

“Adela really likes you,” Lance said, turning to look at her.

Catherine paused as she organized the meeting notes. “She told me she never had a daughter, and I’m about the same age as her son. Maybe she just feels a connection.”

“You’re free tomorrow night,” Lance said as he took off his glasses. His meaning was obvious.

Catherine looked at him, surprised. “You’re actually going?”

“Take tomorrow to pick out a gift. Bring it with you,” Lance replied, rubbing his brow. He looked tired.

Catherine finished up, sent the meeting summary to his email, and headed out of the office.

She’d already told Adela on the phone she couldn’t make it, but Adela had messaged her several more times, asking her to come. So Catherine replied, letting her know she’d be there tomorrow night, and also asked what Lemuel liked so she could get a suitable gift.

Don’t worry about the gift. What matters is that you’re coming.

It almost sounded like Catherine herself was the present. That made her feel a little awkward.

She had Letty look into Lemuel. He was the classic spoiled rich kid, into all the usual vices. Catherine picked out a nice imported bottle of red wine and arranged to have it delivered straight to the Lee family the next day.

With that settled, it was lunchtime, so she went straight to the hospital.

The moment she walked in, she saw Lorinda sitting on the sofa, quietly crying.

Alexa sat on the bed, holding Jasper, who still had a cooling patch on his forehead.

“Is he still running a fever?” Catherine asked as she walked in.

The hospital room door closed behind them, cutting off Alexa’s voice. The hallway was noisier, and Lorinda wiped her nose, suddenly feeling a little more awake being out of that room.

“Come on, we’re taking the stairs. Two flights. It’ll help clear your head,” Catherine said, steering her away from the elevator and toward the stairwell.

The floor below was pediatrics. As soon as they came out of the stairwell, they saw beds lined up in the hallway, every space filled. Kids of all ages, some with IVs taped to their wrists, others with patches of hair shaved for treatment. The sight was overwhelming.

Lorinda looked around, her eyes wide. “There are so many sick kids.”

“Every kid gets sick at some point. Sure, there are more serious illnesses now, but the chances are still really low. Don’t make yourself worry more than you have to,” Catherine told her. She’d brought Lorinda here on purpose, wanting her to see that illness comes with childhood.

They made their way through the ward and stopped by the elevator.

After a moment, Lorinda turned and looked at Catherine. “Were you always this tough, or is it from spending so much time with Lance?”