The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 904

Charlotte’s chest felt tight. It hadn’t even been a full day since she’d found her parents, and it was obvious that neither of them wanted her to leave. She let out a soft sigh, gently patting her mom’s back. “Be good, listen to the doctors, eat your meals, and take your medicine. When I come back, you’ll probably be able to walk again. I’ll take you outside for some fresh air, alright?”

Nora nodded, her voice muffled. She said yes, but her hands refused to let Charlotte go.

“If you don’t leave now, the weather will turn and your flight might get delayed.” Franco watched Nora cling to her, his brows knitting together. He stepped forward, his tone gentle and soothing. “Don’t be sad. Lottie will be back soon.”

“Okay.” Only then did Nora finally loosen her grip, her eyes shining with tears as she looked up at Charlotte. “Lottie, you have to promise you’ll miss me.”

“I will,” Charlotte said, wiping the tears off her mother’s face. She leaned in for one more hug, holding Nora close. In a soft whisper by her ear, she promised, “I’ll bring you a present when I come back.”

“Really?” The tears on Nora’s lashes were still fresh, but the mention of a gift made her face light up with hope.

“Really.”

“Then hurry back,” Nora said, dabbing at her wet cheeks. Her voice was a little raspy, but she managed a smile. “Mom will have presents for you too. Lots of them.”

Charlotte straightened up, a tiny bead of sweat clinging to her nose as she let out a long breath. How was her mom more like a child than she was? Honestly, she was so difficult to comfort.

“Travel safe. Call me when you land,” Franco said, his own reluctance clear. He’d wanted to hug her for ages, but held himself back, worried she might not like it.

“I will.” Charlotte pressed her lips together, staring at Franco for a moment. She finally asked, a little awkwardly, “Did you want a hug?”

“I…” Franco looked startled, about to answer, but Charlotte stepped right up and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Anthony slid into the car and, without a word, lifted her onto his lap. He bent down, brushing his nose against hers, his voice low. “You don’t want to leave, do you?”

Charlotte shook her head, curling into his chest and fiddling with his tie. “It’s not that. I just think there’s something off about my mom’s illness.”

“What do you mean?” Anthony pulled a carton of milk from his pocket, poking the straw in and holding it to her lips.

She took a sip. “A lot of things. It’s not like any of the complicated cases I’ve seen before,” she said quietly. “Her symptoms are strange… and I can just feel she’s hiding something.”

She fell quiet, her thoughts spinning. She’d have to go home and take another look at the reports. Only then would she figure out what was really going on.