Chapter 213
Scarlett’s POV
I rushed through Mayo Clinic’s corridors, shoving past a cluster of nurses and staff gathered outside Laurel’s room.
“Move! Let me through!” I pushed my way to the front where a security guard waited.
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“Mrs. Rose,” he said, relief washing over his face. “Miss Rose has been like this for thirty minutes now.”
“What’s the damage?” I asked, straightening my jacket..
“We’ve tallied everything,” he replied as something crashed inside the room. “The doctor wants to sedate her, but we need your permission first.”
“No sedatives,” I said firmly. “I’ll handle this.”
I squared my shoulders and walked in.
The smell of antiseptic hit me as I entered the disaster zone that was once a pristine hospital room. Broken glass covered the floor, equipment lay overturned, and shredded pillows left fabric floating in the air.
I picked my way through the debris, my heels crunching over glass.
“Laurel,” I said simply.
She sat on the edge of the bed, looking up with cold eyes. “What do you want? Haven’t you done enough?”
“If it weren’t for you,” she continued, voice rising, “I’d have made Blake hate Audrey by now. It’s your fault! He’s falling for her again!”
I took a breath. “Laurel, maybe it’s time to let go. Things that aren’t meant to be yours… Blake never really liked you from the beginning. You’re just – ”
“Why doesn’t he like me!” she screamed, grabbing the water glass from her bedside and hurling it at my head.
The glass struck my forehead with a dull thud before shattering on the floor. I felt warm blood trickle down but didn’t
move.
“What’s wrong with me?” she demanded, eyes wild. “What makes her better? Tell me!”
I tried approaching her. ‘Laurel, calm down. Nobody’s saying you’re worse than Audrey. It’s just –
“Just what?” she cut in. “Audrey gets him/but I can’t? Don’t forget who your daughter is! Are you going to turn on me like
your other daughter did?”
Her fury stopped me cold. My outstretched arms froze midway. The color drained from my face as I stared at my daughter, recognizing something dangerous in her eyes.
“I’ve never thought that,” I said quietly. “Im always on your side.”
I lowered my head. “I only have you now.”
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“You better remember that,” she snapped, looking away. “I need to figure something out. This can’t go on.”
The silence stretched between us until Laurel’s expression suddenly transformed. She looked up with tears glistening in
her eyes.
“Mom,” she said softly, “I know what I have with Blake… I forced it.”
“But these past years,” she continued, “because of me, Parker Group has given Rose family businesses so many advantages. You know how much we’ve made from this connection.”
Her voice hardened slightly. “If Blake finds out I’ve been lying all this time… he’ll cut ties with us completely. Dad’s business will tank. We’ll lose our lifestyle, and eventually…”
She grabbed my arm, eyes suddenly earnest. “Mom, we might not even have enough for Rachel’s treatments.”
She tightened her grip. “Please help me. Helping me means helping our family, helping Rachel, helping yourself…”
Tears welled in my eyes, and I whispered. “Alright, what do you need?”
She narrowed her eyes, leaning close to whisper in my ear.
“Mom, I want to make Rachel die again.”
Audrey’s POV
I wandered New York’s streets for hours after leaving the Parker mansion. I couldn’t face Astrid – she’d see right through me. James wasn’t an option; I didn’t want to give him false hope. And Ethan had already been dragged into enough of my
drama.
Where can I go? I thought, feeling more alone than I had in years.
Finally, I decided to visit Dr. Evans. I could thank her properly for taking me in when I collapsed, and maybe find some peace in her practical company.
I stopped at a market near her apartment and loaded up on fruit – probably way too much, but I needed to bring something. Arms full of bags, I headed to her building, trying to remember exactly which unit was hers.
A black car pulled up as I approached the entrance. Andrew Jensen, that lawyer, stepped out from the driver’s side. I almost called out when he circled around and helped Scarlett Rose from the backseat.
I froze, watching them.
“Your doctor friend lives here?” Scarlett was saying, nose wrinkled as she surveyed the building. “A Mayo Clinic physician
in this dump?”
“Dr. Evans is known for being thrifty,” Andrew replied.
“Thrifty?” Scarlett scoffed. “Only poor people need to be thrifty. I’ve never known what it’s like to not have money. Why would anyone choose to live like this?”
I couldn’t help smirking. Rachel had told me all about her mother – how she’d dumped Mr. Rose during his financial problems, only crawling back when he became rich again.
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Of course Scarlett doesn’t understand living within your means, I thought. But why come to a place she finds so disgusting? And how does she know Andrew, the lawyer who claimed to represent someone with terminal cancer?
Questions piled up as I watched them enter. Before I could think better of it, I followed, choosing the stairs to avoid running into them.
Nine floors later, I regretted my decision. For the old Audrey, these stairs would’ve been nothing. Now, I leaned against the wall, lungs burning.
It took several minutes to gather enough strength to make it to Dr. Evans‘ door. I could hear muffled voices inside – something about “vegetative patients” and “treatment options.”
Why would Scarlett discuss vegetative patients with a gastroenterology specialist? Could this be about Rachel?
Suddenly, the door swung open, catching me pressed against it like a kid with her hand in the cookie jar.
Three shocked faces stared at me.
“Audrey?” Dr. Evans‘ eyes widened.
“Audrey Sinclair?” Scarlett’s face darkened.
“Miss Sinclair?” Andrew’s expression showed his panic.
I stepped back instinctively, then thrust the fruit bags toward Dr. Evans.
came to thank you for helping me the other day,” I said, then turned to Andrew. “I didn’t know you were acquainted with Mrs. Rose.”
Andrew shifted uncomfortably. “Mrs. Rose is a major client. I’m assisting her with some business…”
I turned to Scarlett, raising an eyebrow. “What business brings you to this ‘dump‘ to see Dr. Evans?”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t owe explanations to outsiders,” she replied with a cold smile. She turned to Dr. Evans. “I’ve said what I needed to. I expect your full cooperation.”
Dr. Evans pressed her lips together and nodded solemnly. “You can count on me to before continuing. “I’ll do everything in my power. My… friend will cooperate as well.”
“She glanced at me, hesitating briefly
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