Chapter 24
Gloom settled over Stacy; her hair fanned out around her as she knelt beside Maura. Her handbag lay nearby; her face filled with worry. The sharp backs of her high heels clicked on the polished floor. Earlier, the doctor, calm and professional, had replied clearly, “Miss Costend fainted due to water in her lungs, but she’s only slightly dehydrated. With some rest and fluids, she’ll be fine in a few hours.”
The nurse knocked gently on Maura's room door and opened it after hearing a response from inside. Maura lay in bed, immediately opening her arms when she saw Stacy, her face crumpling as she began to cry in frustration and relief. Stacy hurried to Maura's side, gently patted her back, and soothed her with soft words and gentle reassurance. It took some time before Maura finally calmed down.
“Okay, honey. I’m so upset,” Stacy said, turning to Victor, Damon, and Alison, who were standing in the room. She gave them a grateful smile. “Thank you for bringing Maura to the hospital. I was terrified when I got the call. I’m just so relieved Maura’s okay.” She walked over to Victor, clasped his hands in hers, and thanked him profusely. “Mr. Olsen, I really can’t thank you enough. Once Maura’s better, I’ll make sure to thank you properly. Please don’t reject us.”
Victor chuckled while shaking his head. “Mrs. Crawford, there’s no need for all that. As Maura’s teacher—it’s just part of my job.” He had been waiting for this moment; otherwise, he wouldn't have been the one to help bring Maura to the hospital with Alison, let alone rush to pay for the cab fare. Stacy indicated her acceptance of the offer, and Victor finally gave a reluctant nod.
“Damon, thank you as well. Maura’s so lucky to have friends like you. I’d love to have you both over for dinner sometime soon,” Stacy said smoothly and graciously, acknowledging everyone in the room.
After the small talk and goodbyes, the room fell quiet, giving Stacy the chance to question Maura. “Maura, tell me what’s going on. Why were you at the pool? It’s freezing right now—what were you thinking, swimming in this weather?” The school hadn’t given many details over the phone, leaving Stacy to assume Maura had simply been reckless.
“Mom,” Maura began, her tears welling up again. She had never suffered such a humiliating loss. Everyone thought Aurora had used her, but no one knew the truth: Aurora had shoved her head underwater, practically trying to drown her. Her mother was the only one left who she believed would take her side.
“Aurora wanted me dead,” Maura sobbed, still shaken. All their previous clashes had been petty arguments. But this time, when Aurora had shoved her underwater, when the water surged in and her strength drained away, she had truly thought she was going to die. In her pitiful state, Maura seemed to forget the incident at the Lloyds' banquet, when she had pushed Samara, and Aurora had been outnumbered and far more helpless.
After hearing Maura’s story, Stacy’s anger flared. She swept a cup from the table, sending it crashing to the floor. Water, mixed with shards of glass, splattered across the floor, staining the pristine white bedsheets. Stacy’s voice was low and full of venom. “That little witch. I won’t let her get away with this.”
“Adopted from some rundown orphanage and brought home to enjoy luxuries—only to turn around and attack the rich daughter of the house? Unforgivable,” Stacy thought bitterly. “I really underestimated her,” she muttered through clenched teeth. Her children were her pride and joy, and she would never allow anyone to harm them.
Stacy gently patted Maura’s hand, her voice soft but dripping with disdain. “Honestly, why are you wasting your time on someone like her? A nobody like that doesn’t even deserve your attention. If you don’t like her, I’ll just have someone take care of her. No need to get yourself hurt over something so trivial.” Stacy didn’t take Aurora seriously; she had seen how Jaxon treated her—if he truly cared, he wouldn’t have left her stranded for over a decade.
Catching the meaning behind her mother’s words, Maura perked up. “Mom, do you have a plan?” Over the years, Maura had seen her father keep mistresses, but her mother had never lost her place as Mrs. Crawford. No scandals, no illegitimate children. It was clear her mother knew exactly how to handle things.
Stacy’s gaze fell to the broken glass, the sharp edges glinting. Her eyes were colder than the shards. She spoke in a low, steely voice. “Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll make sure that bitch pays.” How she’d do it wasn’t something Maura needed to know.
Being Jason’s wife, Stacy understood his mind. His decision to bring Aurora back wasn't out of family duty; it had to do with whatever Aurora's mother had left behind. If that’s what Jason wanted, Aurora could keep her life. Stacy thought she could at least give Aurora a piece of her mind. Anyway, no one would care about her.
Meanwhile, on the highway from Mereida to Kellynobia, a line of rare luxury cars sped past, causing heads to turn. “Mr. Harrison, we should reach Kellynobia this evening,” Harry said from the front seat, the blur of trees whizzing by. He held a folder of documents on the Maxwell family.
Jaxon sat in the back, his tall frame exuding power. He absently turned a blood agate in his hand, the light flickering across his sharp face as the car sped along. This bloodstone was something he’d tracked down through the black market, following a lead from Aurora. After verifying it, there was no doubt—it was the one his mother had gifted Annie years ago. The seller hadn’t dared to lie to Jaxon. Whatever questions he asked, the man had answered without hesitation, not a single detail withheld.