Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 708

Jude tried to call after him, but the words died on his lips. He let him go.

Jordan's brow was furrowed with worry. "This is not a good sign," he said gravely. "His current state is worse than ever. Back then, he had strong suicidal ideations. It was only after he met Noreen that those thoughts started to fade. He held on, driven by the need to avenge his mother."

"Now that he's gotten his revenge and he and Noreen are completely separated, he has no goal, no motivation. That's why he feels like life is meaningless."

Jude felt a lump in his throat, as if it were clogged with water-soaked cotton, making it hard to breathe.

As Seth's friend, he felt ashamed. After all these years, he knew so little about what Seth had been through. He never knew that Seth had suffered from severe PTSD after his mother's death, or that he'd had intense suicidal thoughts. He didn't know he had seen a psychologist for a long time. He certainly didn't know that Seth had spent seven years lying in wait, risking everything to avenge his mother, and had nearly lost himself in the process…

He was a terrible friend.

It was only during his visits to Seth over the past couple of years that he had slowly learned a few things, but it was just the tip of the iceberg. The deeper, darker parts of Seth's story remained a mystery to him.

Jordan patted Jude's shoulder. "You need to convince him to get help, and soon. If this continues, something terrible is going to happen."

Jude's heart grew even heavier.

…

That afternoon, Noreen left work early to pick up Katy from the hotel and take her home for dinner. Rosalind had cooked a simple, home-style meal, but Katy ate with genuine delight.

After dinner, Rosalind took two jars of homemade elderberry syrup from the fridge and asked Noreen to deliver them to Wade Harcourt. She had been talking to Evelyn recently and learned that Wade had a persistent cough that no medicine seemed to help, keeping him up at night. Rosalind had made the syrup, hoping it might offer some relief.

Noreen agreed. It was a good chance to check in on Wade anyway.

"Can I come with you?" Katy asked cautiously.

About three minutes later, Evelyn appeared, looking rushed.

"Noreen, why didn't you call ahead?"

"I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to bring Mr. Harcourt the syrup. I didn't want you to fuss," Noreen said as she led Katy inside.

Evelyn, who had never met Katy, asked, "And this is…?"

Noreen placed a hand on Katy's head. "This is my daughter."

Evelyn froze.

Her… daughter?