Chapter 224
Chapter 224
Lauren was startled by Rosita’s outburst–trwin looked absolutely petrified Quickly, she tried to restore calm “Rosita, what are you doing? Don’t scare the child.”
“He doesn’t even know who his mother is Rosita shouted, her voice raw with anger. “Is it wrong for me to
remind him?”
Irwin’s face crumpled, and he burst into loud sobs, rice still in his mouth. “Mommy, you’re scary! I want Daddy! don’t want Mommy anymore.”
Rosita lunged forward and grabbed his shoulders. Her grip was desperate and unyielding. Tm your mothert Do you hear me, Irwin? I gave birth to you! You only have one mother–me!”
Irwin had never seen Rosita like this. Terrified, he tried to wriggle away, but she was too strong. All he could do was plead, his voice trembling “Grandma, help me! Please, Grandma, help!”
Lauren immediately stood and hurried over, pulling the boy away and shielding him behind her. She frowned at Rosita. “Rosita, get a hold of yourself. You’re scaring him
Suddenly, Irwin coughed violently–he had choked on his food. With a few spasms, he vomited up everything he’d eaten.
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t frighten me like that!” Lauren knelt down and patted his back, her voice full of worry. “You mustn’t have another accident, or how could I ever explain this to your father…”
Hearing this, Rosita’s fury seemed to drain away. She stared at Irwin–so small, so frightened- and her expression softened.
“I’m sorry, Irwin..” she whispered, her yoice thick with remorse as she tried to step closer, arms reaching for
him.
“Don’t come near me!” Irwin cried, scrambling further behind Lauren.
Lauren called for the housekeeper to clean up the mess. After wiping the floor, the housekeeper quietly slipped
away.
Rosita’s eyes were red as she covered her mouth. “Irwin, Mommy didn’t mean to yell at you. I’m not well, I… was wrong. Please, will you forgive me?”
Irwin sobbed harder, crying out between hiccups. “You’re a bad mommy! You yelled at me… When you’re sick, you get mean, but my real mommy never does! Even when she’s mad, she never… never pinches me…”
Rosita froze.
Just then, a car pulled up outside.
Stewart was home.
A chill shot through Rosita–if Stewart found out she’d lost control with Irwin….
Irwin seized the moment and darted towards the door. “Daddy!”
Stewart had barely walked in when Irwin, still crying, flung himself into his arms.
Stewart’s brow furrowed. He knelt and scooped Irwin up, gently wiping his face with a handkerchief. “Tell me, buddy. What happened?”
Irwin clung to his father’s neck, hiccupping. “Mommy scared me. Take me away, Daddy. I want to go home…”
Stewart’s expression darkened.
Rosita and Lauren rushed over, but Irwin had already said his piece.
Rosita, pale and shaken, tried desperately to explain. “Stewart, please, let me explain. I just-”
1/2
19:56 M
Chapter 224
Stewart cut her off, his voice cold and unyielding. “Your moods have been unstable lately, I’ll have Dr. Wallace come by. In the meantime, you shouldn’t see Irwin.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and carried Irwin away.
“Stewart!” Rosita chased after him, panic in her voice. “I didn’t mean to, I’ve been taking my medication! Please, don’t take Irwin away…”
But Stewart didn’t even look back, his stride long and determined.
Rosita watched helplessly as he got into the car. Her anxiety peaked, and her vision blurred–then, she collapsed to the ground in a faint.
“Rosita!” Lauren cried, rushing to her side. “She’s passed out! Somebody, help!”
Stewart, already in the car, heard the commotion outside. He gave no sign of concern. “Drive,” he instructed quietly.
“Yes, sir.” Carl turned the car around and eased onto the road.
In the backseat, Stewart comforted Irwin, his voice gentle and low–utterly unmoved by Rosita’s collapse.
Carl couldn’t help but be surprised. In the past, whenever Ms. Lockwood was upset, his boss had always been the first to worry. But today, he was completely indifferent.
Catching Stewart’s reflection in the rearview mirror, Carl thought to himself: No matter how much Rosita is favored, she can never compare to Irwin in Stewart’s eyes.
As the car disappeared down the drive, Lauren hurried to get help. With Zack’s assistance, she got Rosita into the car and sped to the hospital.
At Lockwood Hospital, Rosita was admitted for observation.
Dr. Wallace explained that she’d fainted due to emotional stress, and advised a few days of rest just to be safe. After Lauren left the room, Quentin arrived.
He quietly closed–and locked–the door behind him.
“Big–brother,” Rosita said, sitting up in bed, her eyes rimmed red with tears. “What am I supposed to do?”
Quentin walked to her bedside, instinctively reaching to wipe away her tears. But then he hesitated, as if remembering something, and began to pull his hand back.
Suddenly, Rosita grasped his hand tightly with both of hers.
Her touch was soft and desperate, her slender fingers winding around his. The sensation brought back memories–of a night years ago, when these same delicate hands had clung to him like vines, wrapping around his heart and refusing to let go….
