Chapter 131
“Deanna, I’m not your punching bag to vent your frustrations on. Today, because you’re older, I let Haynes take those two slaps for you. But if it happens again, I’ll return the favor in kind.”
Deanna’s lips quivered with anger. “How dare you! Do you really think you can hit me?”
Stella’s gaze was icy. “Go ahead, try laying a hand on me one more time.”
Deanna’s eyes widened in shock. It was clear Stella wasn’t joking. She meant every word.
The tension in the room was palpable, like a storm about to break.
Haynes’ stare turned glacial. “Stella. Enough.”
She slowly pivoted toward him, her smile venomous. “Oh, that’s rich coming from you.”
Rachel couldn’t hold back any longer and interjected, “Ms. Cameron, no matter what, Deanna is your elder. You shouldn’t talk to her like that.”
Stella shot her a glance, “Since you enjoy being mistreated so much, why not slap yourself a few times?”
Rachel fell silent, not daring to speak again.
Just then, the door to the operating room swung open, and a doctor emerged. “Who’s the family of the patient?”
Deanna quickly approached. “I am. How is the child?”
“We’ve finished the stomach pump. He’ll be fine,” the doctor replied, though there was a hint of reproach in his eyes.
“The child has a sensitive stomach, and there are many foods he should avoid. You need to be more careful with his diet and try to limit outside food.”
“And how could you not know he’s allergic to nuts?”
Deanna’s gaze turned icy as she glanced at Stella but held her tongue, remembering what had just transpired.
…
The next morning, Keen awoke to find Stella by his bedside.
She had fallen asleep with her head resting on the edge of his bed, dark circles under her eyes suggesting a sleepless night.
Did his mom actually care for him?
A strange feeling welled up inside Keen-warm, bittersweet, and a sense of joy at having something back he thought he lost. He had always been sickly, and his mom used to stay by his side just like now.
He used to think Mom’s love was like air-always there. Then she vanished, and suddenly he was gasping. He didn’t understand why he felt this way, but he knew he didn’t like it.
Sensing something, Stella slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw Keen awake, joy filled her eyes. “Keen, you’re awake!”
“Yeah,” Keen replied, his voice hoarse. “I want some water.”
Stella quickly poured a glass of warm water and helped him drink.
After drinking, Keen felt much better.
He looked around the room and noticed it was just Stella there.
He couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, where’s Dad and Rachel?”
Stella’s smile faded slowly.
She looked Keen in the eye and suddenly asked, “Keen, tell me, why did you eat something you’re allergic to? And where did your emergency spray go?”