Chapter 433
Effie looked at Annabel and said quietly, “Annabel, you need to calm down. Grace already seems… a bit unstable, and if you keep pushing her, I’m afraid…”
She had wanted to say Grace was just plain crazy, but seeing how worked up Annabel was, Effie decided not to add fuel to the fire.
Annabel glanced at her and said, “So you’re still holding back.”
After a pause, she continued, “Grace took advantage of Clay being distracted and snuck off with the kid. Clay’s losing his mind overseas. He even tried calling me, but I missed it.”
Her gaze flickered for a moment, but Annabel didn’t bother explaining why she hadn’t picked up Clay’s call. She doubted anyone cared.
Effie frowned. “But isn’t she the boy’s mother? Why do you say ‘snuck off’?”
Annabel sighed. “Because Andie’s never really bonded with her. He’s always preferred his dad.”
Truthfully, Effie had already suspected as much.
When she and Lyman had run into Andie on the street, he’d been alone, crying for his “daddy.”
And he’d been wearing clothes that looked more suited for a little girl-soft pastel colors, frills and all.
At first, Effie had just assumed Andie was a girl, so the outfit made sense. He looked cute, after all.
But once she learned Andie was a boy, the whole thing struck her as odd. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Grace had dressed him that way on purpose.
Why would Grace do that? Effie had no idea.
And now, hearing that Grace had taken the boy home without Clay knowing… Well, it was clear something wasn’t right.
Just like Annabel said she really was acting like a lunatic.
“One of these days, she’s going to drive me insane too. I’ll end up just like her,” Annabel said, her voice drained of energy.
Lindy, concerned, gave Annabel’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t think like that,” she said softly.
Annabel took a deep breath, forcing herself to steady her nerves. “I know. I do. I’m going to the hospital now to see her.”
Effie hesitated, then added, “I’ll go with you.”
No one knew what state Grace was in, and Lyman had rushed her to the hospital Effie fradn’t heard anything. since, and she couldn’t help but worry something had happened to him too.
It took them a while to get there. When they arrived, Grace was still in the emergency room.
It turned out she’d had a sudden seizure, and on top of that, the wounds from her suicide attempt were deep-her condition was critical.
Effie’s heart twisted when she saw Lyman, covered in blood, slumped in
exhaustion on a bench in the hallway.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Lyman looked up instinctively and saw Effie
and Annabel approaching.
Annabel hurried over. “What happened?”
Lyman answered, “She had a seizure, which made things a lot worse. The doctors are having a tough time with her.”
Annabel’s brow furrowed. “She’s
only been back a day and
met
everything’s already upside down. Did you know she snuck Andle back
here? Clay’s beside himself
Lyman nodded. “Yeah, Clay called me. I filled him in-he’s buying a flight back right now.”
Annabel nødded. “Clay’s been a
close friend since we were kids. When he married my sister, I was happy, but it’s complicated. I’ve always known Grace wasn’t exactly… Stable. And now