When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 23

Donna rushed to the hospital, her heart twisting when she saw Harper lying there, bruised and bloody. She wanted to scream or cry, but when she heard it was Albert who did it, she just felt powerless. Maybe it was for the best if the wedding was called off. Still, why would Albert go so far as to hit someone?

Downstairs, Carola caught Elise on the phone. She furrowed her brows. “Mom, what’s going on? Did something happen with Dorothea’s engagement?”

The last thing Carola wanted was for that engagement to fall apart.

Elise rubbed her forehead, sounding exhausted. “Carola, don’t get involved.”

Without another word, she headed upstairs to her study.

Layton was just as shocked as everyone else when news came that the Stevens family wanted to end the engagement.

He frowned. “Did Dorothea change her mind and cause trouble at their place?”

Elise had already thought of that. Her face was tight with anger. “I’m calling her here right now.”

Dorothea had no idea that Albert had hit anyone. When she got Elise’s call, she hurried over to the Brown estate, thinking maybe Elise had finally decided to hand over the shares early. But as soon as Dorothea stepped inside, Elise slapped her across the face, the sound echoing through the foyer.

Dorothea stood there, stunned. The sting took a second to hit, then it burned across her cheek. But the humiliation hit harder than the pain. That slap felt like it sliced straight through whatever tiny shred of mother-daughter bond she still had with Elise.

Carola, standing off to the side, put on a show of being shocked, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. “Dorothea, what did you do to make Mom this mad again?”

Dorothea let out a cold laugh, lowered her head for a moment, then looked up and slapped Carola right back, hard.

Carola stared at her, eyes wide. “Did you just hit me?”

Dorothea’s voice was icy. “Stay out of my business. If I were you, I’d keep my distance.”

Elise looked at Dorothea like she was seeing her for the first time. “Why did you hit Carola? Dorothea, are you out of your mind?”

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