The CEO's Midnight Remedy novel Chapter 239

pter 239

Aria’s POV

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“You are not my daughter!”

Carmen’s words hung in the air like poison, her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she stared at Sophia. The once–immaculate living room around us remained in shambles–furniture overturned, family heirlooms shattered on the floor.

I placed my hand on Sophia’s shoulder, feeling her tremble beneath my touch. Just half an hour ago, I’d been orchestrating Victoria’s downfall at the Harper estate. Now, those family dramas seemed distant as I focused on my friend’s pain.

“Mrs. Kim,” I said gently, “Sophia is your daughter. She loves you very much.”

Carmen’s gaze snapped to me, her eyes clearing momentarily before clouding again with anger. “Aria, tell me the truth–did you know beforehand that the two of them had private contact?”

Before I could respond, Carmen lurched forward, grabbing a stack of papers from the coffee table. Her hands trembled as she brandished them at us.

“You think I don’t know what’s happening?” she demanded, her voice rising. “You’ve been seeing him again!”

Sophia looked bewildered. “Mom, what are you talking about? Who?”

“Owen Wilson!” Carmen spat the name like a curse. “That boy who broke your heart at Princeton. The engaged one!”

Understanding dawned on Sophia’s face, quickly followed by horror. “No, Mom, that’s not-”

The slap echoed through the apartment. Carmen’s palm connected with Sophia’s cheek with such force that she stumbled backward. I caught her by the elbow, steadying her as she pressed her hand against her reddening skin.

“Mrs. Kim, please calm down,” I intervened, stepping slightly in front of Sophia. “Can you tell me what makes you think this?”

Carmen’s hands were shaking uncontrollably now, tears glistening in her eyes. Without a word, she reached into her purse and pulled out several printouts, flinging them onto the coffee table.

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Chapter 239

“These!” she cried. “These are the evidence!”

I leaned forward to examine the photos. They showed Sophia and Owen at what appeared to be an industry

party. In one, Owen’s hand rested on Sophia’s shoulder as they laughed together. In another, they stood

close, talking intently.

“This doesn’t prove anything,” I said carefully. “These just look like normal social interactions.”

“No,” Sophia whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She looked up at her mother, eyes pleading. “Mom, I would never do that. I was just being polite.”

“Liar!” Carmen shouted. “That woman–Chloe–she came here. She told me everything.”

Sophia’s face paled. “Chloe was here? When?”

“Yesterday,” Carmen replied, her breathing becoming labored. “She showed me these pictures. Told me how you’ve been chasing her fiancé. My daughter would never be a homewrecker!”

“I’m not,” Sophia insisted, tears streaming down her face. “She’s lying, Mom. Chloe hates me because Owen and I dated years ago. She’s always been jealous.”

I examined the photos more carefully. “Mrs. Kim, these photos really don’t show anything inappropriate. They’re just two people talking at a party. Sophia is right–this seems like jealousy on Chloe’s part.”

Carmen’s face contorted with rage. “Out!” she suddenly screamed, lunging forward to push us both toward the door. “Both of you, get out! I can’t look at you!”

Her strength was surprising as she shoved us into the hallway. The door slammed behind us, the lock clicking into place.

Sophia collapsed against the wall, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “I can’t believe Chloe would do this,” she whispered. “She told me at the hospital she’d make me pay, but I never thought…”

“The hospital?” 1 questioned, recalling Sophia’s recent injury.

“After she pushed me down those stairs,” Sophia explained, wiping her eyes. “She must have found out where my mother lives and-”

A heavy thud from inside the apartment cut her off. We exchanged alarmed glances.

“Mom?” Sophia called, knocking on the door. No response came.

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Chapter 239

Without hesitation, I rammed my shoulder against the door. The old lock gave way, and we burst into the

apartment to find Carmen collapsed on the floor, her face ashen gray, one hand clutched to her chest.

“Mom!” Sophia screamed, dropping to her knees beside her mother.

I pulled out my phone with shaking hands, dialing 911. We need an ambulance,” I told the dispatcher, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “Possible heart attack. 247 West 83rd Street, Apartment 5B.”

The next forty minutes passed in a blur of paramedics, sirens, and the harsh fluorescent lights of the emergency room. Sophia clung to my hand as we watched the medical team work on her mother, their expressions grim and focused.

Finally, a doctor approached us, his face severe. “Are you family?” he asked.

“I’m her daughter,” Sophia said, her voice barely audible

“Your mother has suffered a severe cardiac event,” he explained. “This is her second episode. Her heart is significantly damaged from the previous attack.”

He glanced at his chart, then back at us with disapproval. “The patient cannot be subjected to any emotional distress. It’s critical that she remains calm. Whatever upset her today nearly killed her.” His tone was accusatory. “How could you let her get so agitated in her condition?”

Sophia crumpled under his words, sliding down the wall until she was crouching on the floor. “I’m sorry,” she whispered repeatedly, rocking slightly. “I’m so sorry.”

I stepped between them, meeting the doctor’s judgmental gaze. “We’ll ensure she stays calm,” I promised firmly. “Please just do everything you can for her.”

As the doctor walked away, I knelt beside Sophia, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. The weight of the situation pressed down on us both–her mother’s fragile health, the malicious interference of Chloe, the misunderstandings that had spiraled into crisis.

I thought of my own family drama, the satisfaction I’d felt watching Victoria’s world collapse just hours ago. How quickly priorities could shift, how easily vengeance could be overshadowed by genuine tragedy.

“She’s going to be okay,” I whispered to Sophia, though neither of us could know if that was true. “We’ll get through this together.”

Sophia nodded against my shoulder, her tears soaking into my blouse, her body still trembling with the shock of it all. Outside the window, dark clouds gathered, matching the storm of emotions within these

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The CEO’s Midnight Remedy