Chapter 12 A Little Sweetness
“Remember this–you were the ones who pushed me away!”
Catherine turned on her heel and walked off.
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But moments later, she returned. Brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, she smiled faintly and asked, “Mr. Parker, do you know why I came to the holistic hospital today?”
Reynold glanced at her fair, porcelain–like face, so delicate it seemed translucent, with soft, glistening peach fuzz that only added to her beauty. His expression, however, remained cold and detached, making it clear he had no interest. His voice, sharp and frosty, cut through the air: “Catherine, if you keep pestering me like this, you’ll only make yourself insufferable.”
Catherine took a step closer, her lips curving into a playful smile. “I came to find you a holistic doctor.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a small, yellowed card and handed it to him.
Reynold looked down at it. The card was worn, like something shoved hastily under a door.
The text read: “Specializing in traditional holistic medicine. Treating impotence, premature issues, infertility, and more. Reclaim your confidence and vitality as a man.”
“Contact: 138XXXX8888.”
For a moment, cracks appeared on Reynold’s otherwise composed and striking features.
Catherine slipped the card into his suit pocket and quipped, “Evelyn has her issues, but did you think you were perfectly fine? You both need treatment.”
With that, she spun around and walked away.
Reynold’s hand clenched into a fist at his side, his simmering anger unmistakable. Somehow, Catherine always knew how to get under his skin.
Evelyn spoke up, her voice laced with disdain. “Reynold; let it go. Catherine’s not worth our time.”
Celia nodded. “Exactly. Why hasn’t Miracle C arrived yet?”
At the mention of Miracle C, tension filled the air. Miracle C represented Evelyn’s last shred of hope.
Reynold checked the time on his steel wristwatch. The agreed–upon hour had passed, yet there was still no sign of Miracle C.
Just then, a nurse entered the room. “Mr. Parker.”
Evelyn, Shawn, and Celia’s eyes lit up. “Is Miracle C here?”
The nurse nodded at Reynold. “Mr. Parker, Miracle C came but has already left.”
“What?” Reynold’s brows furrowed as he scanned the hallway. He saw no one but Catherine’s retreating figure as she turned a corner and disappeared.
“I didn’t see Miracle C,” Reynold said, his tone sharp.
The nurse hesitated. “Miracle C left as soon as she arrived.”
“Why?” Evelyn’s expression fell, her voice trembling. “Why would Miracle C leave without helping me?”
The nurse looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. Miracle C has decided not to treat Ms. Evelyn.”
Evelyn’s radiant face turned pale. Miracle C refusing her made no sense.
The earlier hope that had lit up the room was now doused with cold water, leaving everyone
Evelyn broke down. “Why? Why won’t Miracle C help me?”
stunned.
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Chapter 12 A Little Sweetness
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Shawn and Celia rushed to comfort her, holding her close. “Don’t worry, Eve. We’ll figure something out. You’re going to get
better.”
Reynold’s chiseled features hardened as his gaze turned icy, piercing the empty hallway.
Outside the hospital, Catherine was about to leave when someone called out, “Cath.”
She paused and slowly turned. It was Celia.
Celia approached, holding out a check. “This is for you.”
Catherine glanced down. It was for $3,000.
Celia’s voice softened, though her words carried a sting. “Cath, Mr. Parker doesn’t like you. Stop clinging to him and give him back to Evelyn. Why can’t you step aside for her? Take this money, finalize the divorce, and go live quietly in the countryside.”
The corners of Catherine’s lips curled into a mocking smile. If she hadn’t secretly run a DNA test comparing Evelyn and Celia, she might have believed Evelyn was her actual daughter. But she wasn’t.
Catherine was Evelyn’s stepmother.
Yet Evelyn was the one Celia loved–never Catherine, her biological daughter.
Catherine knew Celia’s affection for Evelyn stemmed from her infatuation with Shawn, which naturally extended to Shawn’s child.
Her clear, striking eyes met Celia’s, a hint of derision flashing in them. “Is that all you think the title of Mrs. Parker is worth? Or is that all I’m worth in your eyes?”
Celia froze, fumbling for a response. “Cath, Mom’s only thinking of what’s best for you. This place isn’t for you—”
“Mom?” Catherine laughed, a trace of bitterness in her tone. “You already sent me to the countryside once, and now you want to do it again? You’re such a wonderful ‘Mom.”
Without waiting for a reply, Catherine turned and climbed into a taxi.
Inside the cab, Catherine sat in the backseat, pulling a small piece of candy from her bag. She unwrapped it carefully and popped it into her mouth.
The driver, an older man, glanced at her through the rearview mirror, She wore a simple dress, her air refined and composed. Yet on closer inspection, her pale, almost translucent skin and frail frame gave her an appearance of delicate fragility, as though she might break at the slightest touch.
The driver, reminded of his daughter, chuckled kindly. “You like sweets, huh?”
Catherine gazed out the window, the wind tossing strands of her hair across her face. Her lips curved into a gentle smile. “Yes. A little sweetness makes life less bitter.”
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