The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1010

She had no idea how much longer her body could take it. If there really was an antidote out there, she would stop at nothing to get it for Lottie. Lottie was right. No mother could ever give up on her child. She just couldn’t stand by and watch her sweet, gentle Lottie wait for death, to see the gene mutation symptoms explode and torture her the same way they did to herself.

Charlotte didn’t argue. She carefully pulled the blanket up around Nora and whispered, “Let’s rest here for a couple of days. Then we’ll go back to Cabinda.”

If Nora hadn’t fainted, her body could have left whenever she wanted. Charlotte stood up to leave, but Nora spoke again, her voice low. “Lottie, don’t tell your dad or grandpa about the gene mutation.”

Charlotte stopped and turned back, locking eyes with her mom for a long moment before nodding. “Alright.”

There were rumors the Hawk family had a cure. If her dad, who loved her mom more than anything, ever found out the truth… Well, he would lose it, and when he did, he was even scarier than she was.

“Okay,” Charlotte said, sounding serious. “Mom, I’m saying this for the last time. Leave the antidote to me. Promise you won’t do anything crazy.”

Nora managed a faint smile and closed her eyes. “Does Anthony know about the mutation?”

Charlotte lifted her chin, her eyes a little sheepish as she sighed. “I tried to keep it from him, but I totally failed.”

Nora didn’t have words for that.

…

Out in the hallway, Franco saw Charlotte and tried to comfort her, but he didn’t waste a second before slipping into the room.

“Tired?” Anthony walked over and took Charlotte’s hand, checking her face for any sign of exhaustion.

“So sleepy,” Charlotte mumbled, yawning as she leaned against him, limp and barely awake.

“I’ll take you to bed,” Anthony said. He grabbed her backpack and slung it over his shoulder, then carried her in his arms.

Anthony tucked the covers around her, leaning in so close she could feel his breath. His voice was so gentle. “Yeah? What’s got you smiling like that?”

“A reunion.” Charlotte’s fingers slipped into his palm, and she traced little circles against his skin. “Mom’s going back to Cabinda in a couple of days.”

When grandpa and Kevin saw mom again, the whole family would finally be together.

“That’s something to celebrate,” Anthony said, kissing her cheek and looking down at her with so much affection.

“Do you trust me?” Charlotte yawned. “Do you believe I’ll come up with the antidote?”

“Of course I do,” Anthony replied, not missing a beat.

Charlotte closed her eyes, nestling into his neck, her voice barely above a whisper. “Then you should be happy too. No matter what, I’ll make sure you get to marry me.”