Chapter 15
The rain in Miami poured all night, while the operating room’s lights flickered on and off.
As dawn broke, Concetta struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, her body still aching with feverish heat.
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“Ms. McFarland, you had a viral infection. Lucky we got you here in time, or it could’ve turned into pneumonia and become life-threatening. We tried calling your husband last night, but the calls didn’t go through, and then your phone died. You should let him know you’re okay-your family must be worried sick,” the nurse chattered as she changed Concetta’s bandage, handing her a fully charged phone.
Concetta’s face remained expressionless, but a bitter pang twisted in her chest.
She forced a faint smile.”Thanks, I’ll do that.”
In her mind, she scoffed, “They’re all so happy playing house together. When would they have time to take
my
calls?”
She powered on her phone, and the screen lit up with a missed call from Alejandro.
Her breath caught for a moment.
Then, Lynne’s custom ringtone blared, urgent and sharp.
Fearing something was wrong, Concetta answered quickly.”Lynnie, what’s going…”
“Mom!” Lynne’s voice cut through, cold and furious, practically screaming.”Sharon almost died because of you. Do you know that?”
Concetta’s face froze, her heart stuttering.”Lynnie, what are you talking about?”
Lynne’s voice grew louder, trembling with rage.”The doctor said Sharon had an allergic reaction to mugwort because she wore your pajamas! Dad stayed up all night by her side just to get her through the worst of it! If you hadn’t soaked those pajamas in mugwort, Sharon wouldn’t have been in danger! You’re a murderer! Why aren’t you the one in a hospital bed?”
Her daughter’s venomous words sliced through Concetta like a rusted blade, carving away at her heart piece by piece.
She wore mugwort-scented clothes for reasons.
When Lynne and Hyman were born, their frail little bodies needed gentle care, and mugwort was the only medicinal scent they could tolerate.
So, for years, Concetta had infused her own clothes with its faint, earthy aroma.
When she first started wearing them, her skin had erupted in itchy red rashes, painful and relentless.
But for her children’s health, she endured it.
Over time, her body adapted, and the subtle scent of mugwort became a part of her.
Alejandro had even complained once, wrinkling his nose and saying she smelled “off.”
“Lynnie, calm down,” Concetta said, her voice steady but icy.”Let’s get this straight-Sharon took my pajamas without asking. How is it she had an allergic reaction?”
It was the first time Lynne had heard her mother speak in such a sharp, unyielding tone.
my
fault
She faltered for a second, then let out a huff, her voice thick with tears.”Why should I have to tell you anything? You moved out, didn’t you? Dad said it was okay for Sharon to wear them. And last night, when Sharon was fighting for her life, you ignored Dad’s calls on purpose! You’re awful, Mom. I’m done with you!”
With that, Lynne slammed the call to an end, promptly blocking Concetta again.
This time, she vowed to keep her mother blocked for a whole year.
Because she was the youngest, Concetta had always doted on her.
But now, Lynne was done. She wanted her mom to stew in her mistakes and really think about what she’d done.
Concetta’s hands and feet felt like ice, her palms trembling slightly.
She could hardly believe these words came from her own daughter.
Her vision blurred, tears welling up, and the dull ache in her chest roared back to life.
Suddenly, a small hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her.
“Pretty lady, your eyes are raining. Wipe them quick.”
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* Chapter 15
Concerta looked up to see a girl, about four years old, in a hospital gown. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain, her hair was a little messy
Those big, sparkling eyes gazed at Concetta with concern, softly pressing the tissue to her cheek.
She knew it was the girl from the next bed, Bethany Tate.
That morning, Concetta had noticed her IV bag was nearly empty, almost backflowing with blood.
Merse
