The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 191

The mother and daughter left the lounge and headed straight for the banquet hall.

Inside, the energy was buzzing. Ableson and Fiona made their way downstairs, smiling for the cameras, cutting the cake, and accepting toast after toast.

Garrison gave a quick speech, then handed the spotlight over to Belinda.

Belinda was absolutely radiant in a deep red dress, her smile bright and confident. “We have double the reason to celebrate tonight,” she announced. “Along with my father-in-law’s birthday, I’m thrilled to share more good news. Lance and Adelina’s wedding is set for August twenty-sixth. We hope you’ll all join us to celebrate.”

The crowd burst into excited chatter. Congratulations echoed around the room.

People surrounded Lance, raising their glasses to him.

“Congrats, Lance!”

“All the best!”

Lance held his wine glass, a polite smile on his face. But that smile never quite made it to his eyes.

“Thank you,” he replied.

Adelina watched all this from the doorway, tugging at Sarah’s sleeve.

“Mom, don’t ask about it,” she whispered.

Sarah bristled. “What do you mean, don’t ask? Those two old fools treat Catherine like she’s some kind of prize. They don’t care about you at all. And what about the baby? We need answers before you marry him!”

She started to march Adelina into the hall.

Adelina clung to her, desperate. “Mom, nothing matters more than me marrying Lance. Look at all these people. If we embarrass the James family, we’ll lose everything.”

Sarah hesitated, her anger cooling. She glanced at Belinda on stage, soaking up the praise. “You’re right. Belinda’s all about keeping up appearances. I’ll talk to her after the party.”

Adelina nodded, fixing her hair. “Quick, is my makeup okay?”

Amanda didn’t bother explaining. “Check the bill yourself if you don’t believe me. Or don’t pay. It doesn’t matter. Patty doesn’t have anyone else in the world. If she dies, at least her problems are over. Then you won’t have to worry about her dragging you down, and you’ll have money for your own kid.”

Every word hit like a punch.

Underneath Amanda’s harsh voice, Catherine could just make out Patty’s soft sobs. “Catherine, please… help me…”

A dull ache settled in Catherine’s chest. She hung up.

She checked the time, changed clothes, and headed for the hospital. On the way, Lewis texted her, reminding her to visit Pansy. She agreed to meet him that afternoon.

An hour later, she was at the hospital. She went straight to billing and checked Patty’s account.

There was a whole list of outrageously expensive medications, all needed every single day. Catherine didn’t know what most of them were, but the bill was clear: the account was empty.

She paid another twenty thousand, then went to find Patty’s doctor. She needed to know how Patty was really doing, and what kind of costs she could expect in the days ahead.