Thorns Grow After Betrayal (Celeste and Chester) novel Chapter 16

Celestine's gaze drifted lightly across his face, showing no surprise at his sudden appearance.

"Aren't you already aware?" she said, ending the call with a flick of her wrist.

Chester's expression soured. "You got sick—why didn't you say anything?"

He watched her struggling to lift the IV and reached out to help, but Celestine turned away, calmly pulling the needle out herself. "No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Fordham. I can take care of myself. If I'm unwell, I'll see a doctor."

Last time she had the flu, the pain had left her bedridden, unable to move. In her weakest moment, she'd sent Chester a message.

And what had he replied?

Oh, right—"If you're sick, go to the hospital. Do you expect me to cure you?"

Chester seemed to recall, faintly, that Celestine had mentioned this before—he just hadn't realized it was this serious.

His gaze grew complicated. "Celestine, are you angry with me?"

Just then, their two children heard the commotion outside and came running.

They stopped short when they saw Celestine in a hospital gown, shock flashing across their faces.

"Mom, you—you're sick?!"

Raymond, who hadn't seen his mother in ages, lit up with joy, only for it to turn to alarm. He hurried over and clutched her hand.

He didn't like her always nagging him, but he definitely didn't want his mom to be sick.

Celia lingered at the doorway, her voice barely a whisper. "Mom… why are you in the hospital? Is it because of what I said earlier? Did my words jinx you? No, no, I didn't mean it…"

Tears welled in Celia's eyes, panic overtaking her.

Celestine ignored her daughter's rush toward her, and, latching onto Celia's words, replied with a cool detachment, "That's right. Thanks to you, I've been struck down by illness. But I didn't quite manage to die."

Both children's eyes reddened at once.

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