Chapter 4
Over the next several days, Mateo remained in the VIP ward, never leaving Valerie’s side.
He never once came to see Catalina. A doctor even approached her personally to talk. “Ms. Higgin, are you really refusing treatment? Your condition seems to be getting worse.
“These past few days, you’ve lost even more weight. Aren’t your family coming to see you?”
If the doctor hadn’t pointed it out, Catalina herself might not have noticed how skinny her arms had become, almost like walking sticks.
Maybe it was because she hadn’t heard anyone speak to her with care in a long time, tears welled up in her eyes.
She replied softly, “I appreciate your concern, but I won’t be seeking treatment. And… I don’t have any family left.”
Three years earlier, the people she cared for most had lost their lives because of the man she once loved. Looking back now, it was almost laughable.
What she wanted most was to find peace soon and apologize to her parents.
Once Valerie recovered, Mateo forced the weak Catalina to leave the hospital and look after Valerie every day.
To cheer Valerie up, Mateo went out of his way to throw a party for her.
It was a celebration of her recovery, and the skin on her arm now looked flawless, as if the injury had never hap- pened.
He
gave Catalina a black credit card and said coldly, “I’m throwing a party for Valerie and inviting all the top people in Chicago. You’d better not mess this up.”
She gave a small nod and went to ask Valerie directly about her favorite things.
Valerie said she liked roses and cakes with lots of cream.
When the party started, the entire hall was decorated with red roses, and each table had a champagne-colored cake. Even the ribbons were the bright red shade Valerie preferred.
Valerie entered the venue with her hand wrapped around Mateo’s arm. As they stepped inside, Mateo’s gaze shifted slightly.
Just as the crowd broke into applause, Valerie’s face suddenly changed.
Mateo quickly noticed her unhappiness and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
“Why are there only red roses everywhere? It looks so cheap! I clearly told her that I hate red roses!”
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Chapter 4
Mateo was surprised, but his expression quickly turned cold as he shot a sharp glare at Catalina.
She blinked slowly, holding back the words that almost slipped out.
She understood the warning in Matco’s eyes and also realized what was behind Valerie’s complaint.
Valerie walked over to a red-covered table and picked up a beautifully decorated cake.
She took a bite without thinking and suddenly let out a sharp scream.
“Catalina! Why is this made with cream?! Don’t you know I’m allergic to cream?”
Everyone in the hall turned their eyes toward her, and Catalina froze in shock. “Didn’t you say…’
Before she could finish, Mateo cut her off, his angry glare making her feel like he wanted to crush her.
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“Catalina, you couldn’t even handle such a simple task like organizing a party? What’s wrong with you? Did you do this on purpose?”
Catalina’s voice turned cold. “No, I didn’t mean to…”
Valerie held tightly onto Mateo’s arm and said, “Mateo, this party was supposed to be for me, and now she’s com- pletely ruined it…”
Seeing the upset look on Valerie’s face, Mateo frowned without realizing it.
“Catalina, what do you plan to do about the mess you’ve made?”
He completely ignored Catalina’s attempts to explain. Catalina realized it didn’t matter what she said; he wouldn’t be- lieve her anyway.
Her chest tightened slightly, and she curled her fingers into fists. “Then what exactly do you want from me?”
Mateo gently held Valerie by the waist and turned to her. “Valerie, what do you think?”
Valerie’s gaze flicked toward the dog cage sitting nearby. A smile curled on her lips. “Mateo, I don’t mean to make things hard for her. But look, there’s a cage right next to her. Why don’t we have her crawl in and bark for us a few times?”
