The Fragrance Queen's Final Note novel Chapter 22

"Mom! Simon and I went to visit our daughter while you were having your treatments, so we couldn't visit you at the hospital. The second we landed, I dragged him straight here."

Lianne shot her daughter a reprimanding look. "You shouldn't have done that. Simon is a busy man, don't cause a fuss."

Though she scolded her, the older woman was clearly pleased.

"It's perfectly fine, Mom. It's only right that we come check on you," Simon stated politely.

Marilyn Calvert, thirty-four years old and Zander's older sister, was nothing like her kind and forgiving mother. She was notoriously bitter and sharp-tongued.

"You think the Calvert family failed you?"

Unsurprisingly, the moment she sat down, she turned her crosshairs on Queenie.

Queenie stared at her impeccably maintained face—her high cheekbones, lips thin as razor blades, and eyes that tilted upward at the corners.

Marilyn always looked at her with an ingrained sense of disdain.

Queenie replied calmly, "No one failed anyone. Things just happen."

"Bullshit!" Marilyn snapped. "My brother ended up like this, and you think you hold no responsibility? If you hadn't played the untouchable prude, would he have driven his car off that cliff?"

"Marilyn, do not speak to Queenie that way!"

Lianne scolded her daughter furiously, the spike in emotion causing her to descend into a heavy coughing fit.

Simon, clearly wanting no part in their domestic squabbles, stood up and gently supported his mother-in-law. "Mom, let me help you back to your room to rest."

"Marilyn, I've told you a hundred times not to blame Queenie for this. Zander was reckless, and it was no one's fault but his own..."

"Alright, alright, just go rest. Getting worked up over an outsider isn't worth it."

Marilyn rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Lianne, still coughing, allowed her son-in-law to guide her back to her bedroom.

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