CHAPTER 19
For days, Oliver remained in the hospital. His mood was darker than the corridors he paced in his wheelchair.
His mother, Polly, might’ve claimed she was done with him, but that didn’t stop her from working behind the scenes like a woman possessed.
She called in every favor she was owed. And thanks to Madelynn’s personal recommendation she finally managed to secure the impossible- an appointment with the legendary orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bernard Smith.
Now, in the hospital’s private VIP room, Polly sat stiffly beside Oliver. Across from her were Harr and Amelia Fontaine, and Cecelia, who clung to her seat like she might shatter if she moved to suddenly.
Dr. Smith stood beside Oliver bed, reviewing scans. After some light tapping around Oliver’: njury with a reflex hammer, the young man broke out in a cold sweat.
‘Doctor, that hurts!” he hissed, breath catching.
Dr. Smith calmly pulled back and adjusted his glasses.
My team and I will be able to make you a custom robot foot. You’ll walk again. It’ll take month: of intensive physical therapy, and some getting used to, but it’s possible.”
He hesitated for just a beat before continuing. “However, you’ll experience recurring pair
ossibly for the rest of your life.”
Oliver’s face twisted in frustration. His jaw clenched, and then with a shout, he swept the edside tray clean. Medical documents and a cup of untouched water clattered loudly to the
loor.
This is the best the ‘legendary’ Bernard Smith has to offer? What a joke. You’re just another ›verhyped name!”
The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
“The doctor’s expression turned to ice.
He looked at Polly. “I’ve been retired for two years. I only agreed to see your son because of a ›ersonal favor, one from Madelynn. I’m offering him more than any other doctor will. If he has sc ittle faith in my expertise, I won’t waste another second here.”
He turned to his team. “Pack up. Let’s go.”
Polly leapt to her feet. “Dr. Smith please! Don’t take it to heart. He’s just emotional. He didn’t mean it.”
But Smith didn’t even look back. “Find another doctor. Let’s see if anyone else in this country dares take this case.”
He and his team left without another word.
When Polly returned to the room, she was shaking with rage.
Without a word, she slapped her son across the face. The sound echoed through the sterile room like thunder.
“Do you have any idea how hard it was to get him here? That was your one shot at living a normal life again and you just spit on it!”
Oliver’s head turned with the force, but his mind was elsewhere. “Mom… Did he say Madelynn asked him? That means she still… cares, right? She hasn’t completely given up on me.”
Polly barked a bitter laugh. “Cares? Are you delusional?”
“She did it because she’s a good person. You think she called a world-renowned surgeon because she missed you?” She leaned closer. “Get over it. You lost her. She’s not coming back.” Oliver sat in silence, her words landing like stones.
Amelia, ever the peacekeeper, tried to smooth the tension. “Polly, he’s just hurt. Let’s not dwell or this. Why don’t we talk about the children’s future?”
She looked pointedly at Cecelia, who stiffened.
Amelia smiled thinly. “Since Oliver and Cece have been close again, and given their history maybe this is a good time to discuss a proper engagement.”
Cecelia’s face twisted. She wanted nothing to do with Oliver now. Not in this state.
“Mom, Oliver hasn’t even healed yet. There’s no rush.”
But Amelia waved her off. “You came back for him, didn’t you? This is what you wanted.”
Polly sneered. “She can marry him, sure. But there won’t be a wedding.”
Harry stiffened. “This is Cece’s first and only marriage! There has to be a proper celebration.”
Polly’s smile was ice. “Madelynn didn’t get one. Why should she?”
She looked directly at Amelia. “You want the world to know your adopted daughter bedded he sister’s husband? You go ahead and throw a party. But I’ll make sure the headlines reflect the
truth.”
Her voice was sharp. “Bringing her into our family at all is already humiliating enough.”
‘Why do you only blame Cecelia? Your son isn’t innocent either!”
Polly rolled her eyes. “Exactly. And that’s why they’re a perfect match.”
Amelia’s pride snapped, but she ground her teeth and nodded stiffly. “Fine. No ceremony.”
Polly scoffed. “Good. Now get out. I don’t want to see your faces again.”
The Fontaines left in silence, all looking insulted.
Back in the hospital room, Oliver murmured, “Mom… don’t be so hard on Cece. This isn’t all her fault.”
Polly stared at him. “Still defending her?”
She tossed a thick envelope onto his lap.
“I had her investigated. In London, she went after nothing but married men. She’s had so many abortions that they even had to take out her womb!”
Oliver paled.
“You really thought she was pure? She played you.”
Polly didn’t wait for his reply. “You two deserve each other. You wanted her? You got her. Don’t come crying to me when she wrecks your life.”
Then she left.
Oliver sat there frozen.
After a long silence, he opened the envelope.
Photo after photo of Cecelia-laughing in cars with older men, kissing in dark corners, slipping out of hotels in the early morning, and more photos of her entering abortion clinics.
His hands shook.
“This… is who I gave up Madelynn for?”
He crushed the photos in his fist.
‘Cece… I won’t let you get away with this.”
–
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Madelynn was deep in wedding preparations.
Sebastian had spared no expense- he was planning the wedding of the century. Lavish anc breathtaking and worth a whopping $150 million.
Madelynn had hesitated. “Isn’t it a bit too much?”
But even Selene stood by her son.
Most women only marry once. Let it be unforgettable.”
Madelynn eventually agreed.
‘et one thing gnawed at her. She had no one to walk her down the aisle. She told herself it didn’
natter.
But when her phone rang and her mother’s name appeared, pleading for help…
She couldn’t ignore it. She tried to be stoic, but this was still the woman who had given her life. Ava, can we continue dress fittings later? I need to go back to my parents’ house.”
Ava narrowed her eyes. “Lynn… after everything they did to you? You don’t owe them anything.” Madelynn gave a quiet smile. “She gave birth to me. Once-just once- I’ll repay that debt.”
Then I’m coming with you.”
‘Okay.”
Together, with bodyguards in tow, they left the boutique behind and headed toward the past Madelynn thought she’d closed for good.
