+25 BONUS
Chapter 421
As Isabelle’s condition was in the early stages and her organ fallur not yet severe, Lauren and her medical team were able to make several adjustments based on her overall health and condition.
In the end, they managed to find a treatment plan that could stabilize her illness.
When the news came, the tension that had been gripping Celeste and Betty finally eased. The dark cloud that had hung over the Rodriguez family for half a month had finally lifted. 2
That night, overwhelmed with joy, Betty even cooked dinner to celebrate with everyone.
After dinner, just as Celeste sat down with Betty in the living room Celeste’s phone rang–it was a call from Jordyn.
It had actually been over a month since mother and daugliter last spoke..
Strictly speaking, Celeste should have answered the call the last time Jordyn tried. But at that time, she had just found out about Isabelle’s organ failure. Her mood was terrible, so she didn’t answer the call.
Now…
When she saw the caller ID, Betty said, “Answer it.”
Though she didn’t say it, she cared deeply about the bond between Jordyn and Wynn. 1
She had noticed that Celeste hadn’t let Jordyn visit lately, and she’d already guessed why–Celeste was worried that seeing Jordyn might further aggravate her already fragile emotions.
Although she had never truly blamed Jordyn for her closeness with Wynn, the truth was that if she had seen her during that difficult period, it probably would have triggered bitterness and resentment. 2
Now that her daughter’s illness had a glimmer of hope, of course she wanted Celeste and Jordyn to reconcile.
Celeste looked at the name on her phone screen. Then, she picked up after a few seconds.
Jordyn had planned to try again in a few days the last time Celeste didn’t answer. But Trevor, who used to encourage her to call her mother whenever she missed her, had told her not to disturb Celeste as she was very busy.
So, Jordyn had held back.
But this time, she really couldn’t hold it in anymore. It had been so long since she’d last seen her mother, or even talked to her.
She tried calling, and to her surprise, Celeste actually answered.
As soon as she heard Celeste’s voice, Jordyn got excited, as always, ‘Mom!”
But before Celeste could respond, the emotions she had been bottling up spilled out. Her tone quickly turned aggrieved, “Mom, you finally answered my call… You have no idea how much I’ve missed you lately…”
Hearing her tearful voice full of grievance, Celeste lowered her gaze, suppressing the emotion in her eyes before replying calmly, “Have you eaten dinner?”
“Yes!” Jordyn perked up immediately upon hearing Celeste’s voice. Then she quickly asked, “Mom, when are you free? I can come tomorrow–no, I can come right now!”
Celeste said, “I have work tomorrow. But if you want to
come over then come.”
After a pause, she added, “But ask your dad first. If he agrees-‘
”
“He will agree!” Jordyn cut her off excitedly before she could finish “I’m going to pack my things now. Mom, wait for me!”
Then she hung up immediately, turned to the man sitting beside her, and said, “Mom said I can go see her!”
Trevor turned a page of his book before finally looking up and asking, “Got it. Do you need me to drive you?”
“Nope!” Jordyn replied, and without another second to spare, she grabbed Hannah and rushed upstairs to pack.
Just a few minutes later, she came bouncing downstairs with her backpack, and as she passed Trevor–who was still reading in the living room–she didn’t even glance at him.
She waved quickly as she ran out the door. “Dad, I’m heading out now!”
Trevor turned slightly, watching her small figure disappear out the door, and said calmly, “Okay. Be safe. And good night.”
“Good night!” s
