Chapter 17
Concetta’s gaze drifted over Alejandro’s cold, impassive face.
“Why am I here? What do you think?” she shot back, her voice sharp as she ended the call.
Alejandro’s expression darkened. “You’re sick? Why didn’t you say anything?”
He noticed her struggling to hold the IV drip and reached out to help.
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Concetta sidestepped his hand, calmly pulling the needle from her arm.”No need to trouble yourself, Mr. Calderon. I can take care of myself. If I’m sick, I’ll see a doctor.”
Her mind flashed back to when she’d had the flu, so sick she could barely move, her body wracked with pain.
She’d sent Alejandro a text, desperate for a shred of care.
His response?
“If you’re sick, go to the hospital. I’m not a doctor. What do you expect me to do?”
Alejandro seemed to vaguely recall it as well. Back then, he hadn’t realized how serious it was.
His eyes flickered with complexity as he studied her.”Concetta, are you mad at me?”
Just then, Hyman and Lynne heard the commotion and rushed out.
Seeing Concetta in a hospital gown, they froze, wide-eyed.
“Mom, you’re sick?”
Hyman’s joy at seeing her turned to shock as he grabbed her hand.
He didn’t want his mom controlling his every move, but he certainly didn’t want her in a hospital bed.
Lynne lingered in the doorway, her voice barely a whisper.”Mom… why are you here? Did… Did my curse actually work? No, I didn’t mean it…”
Her eyes brimmed with tears, panic creeping in.
Concetta’s heart sagged with exhaustion at Lynne’s words.
She hadn’t expected the child she’d fought so hard to bring into the world to secretly wish her ill.
Her tone cooled.”Lynnie, Manny, what did I do to make you dislike me so much-even hate me?”
The children’s eyes reddened instantly.
“Manny, Lynnie, who’s upsetting you?”
A worried voice called from the ward.
Sharon stumbled out of bed, hurrying toward them, only to “weaken” at the door, nearly collapsing.
“Auntie Sharon!”
Lynne and Hyman shouted, racing from Concetta’s side to her.
Alejandro, closest to Sharon, caught her swiftly, his arms steadying her.
“You’re still sick. Stay in bed,” he said, his brow furrowed but his eyes brimming with unmasked concern.
Sharon offered a soft smile.”I’m fine, really. I was just worried about Manny and Lynnie…”
Concetta watched the scene unfold, her heart pierced by a sharp, invisible blade.
She thought bitterly, “Love and indifference are so painfully clear.
“How was I ever so blind?”
Sharon seemed to notice Concetta for the first time, her voice tinged with surprise.”Concy, you’re here? I thought last night you were…”
Alejandro cut her off, his tone icy.”Concetta, explain why your clothes were laced with mugwort.”
“Yeah, Mom!” Lynne’s small voice was fierce.”Auntie Sharon almost died because of your pajamas!”
In her mind, Lynne fumed, “Sure, Mom’s sick, but that’s her own fault for not taking care of herself. She deserves it!
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“But Sharon’s illness? That’s all Mom’s doing!”
Concetta dabbed at her hand with a cotton swab.”Because of you two.”
She paused, then continued, “You said you loved the smell of mugwort on me, so I infused all my clothes with it.”
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She turned to Alejandro.”Mr. Calderon, you’ve noticed it before, haven’t you? How could you forget? Or maybe some other scent left a stronger impression, so I slipped your mind entirely?”
The kids were young; their forgetfulness was understandable.
But her own husband forgot it too? That was so ironic.
Alejandro’s face clouded, and after a long pause, he said slowly, “Regardless, Sharon’s condition is because of you. Here’s the deal: that painting your grandfather gave us as a wedding gift, give it to Sharon as an apology. Say you’re sorry, and we’ll call it even.”
