Chapter 458: Mediators

I ignored Kate’s cries and went straight to the helicopter. There was too much to do, too many people I cared about, and no time to waste on the Sanders. If Chloe were still alive, I would have felt obligated to care for them; parents raise their children, and children often repay them. But after everything—using my ashes for soup—I figured all debts were settled. The only person I couldn't leave behind was Whitney. She was almost 26 now, no longer the little girl she once was. I could support her whenever she needed me. All I could do as her sister was respect and understand her choices. If she wanted to stay with the Sanders to look after her family, as long as she was safe and healthy, that was all that mattered.

As the helicopter soared, I felt myself distancing from the trouble. More than the Sanders, I worried about Zoey and Harlan. They had been innocently dragged into this mess, and I felt guilty. I went straight to the hospital.

When I arrived, I heard Zoey complaining, “You’re so picky with food! Perfect timing, though—your beloved sweetheart is here. You might like the food she made. You haven’t changed at all!”

Harlan looked miserable, sitting in a wheelchair with his hand in a cast. His injuries were clearly worse than just a few broken ribs, as Carter had claimed. He looked almost like a mummy. Zoey pushed his wheelchair with a determined look. “There’s no surveillance here. Maybe I should just let go and send you on your way, turning you into a vegetable. You can have Nina come over and take care of you, even wipe your butt.” She made a sinister face and added, “She loves you so much. She should be willing to love all of you, right?”

“Janice…” I quickly interrupted. Zoey had become a little more quirky since we last saw each other. But hearing her energetic voice was a relief. I was glad she was okay. If something had happened to her, I didn’t think I’d ever find peace. I already felt like I owed her so much.

As soon as Zoey heard me, she rushed over with a big smile and open arms. “Chloe!”

I froze. I had just realized Zoey had let go of Harlan’s wheelchair. It started rolling uncontrollably toward the stairs.

Just in time, a slender hand caught the wheelchair and stopped it from falling. Harlan turned to see who it was and exclaimed, “Carter, you’re my lifesaver!”

Carter, with a neutral expression, pushed him down the corridor. Harlan yelled, “Janice! Are you trying to kill your husband?”

Zoey snorted. “Isn’t that what you said? No divorce, just widowhood?”

I thought that after all they’d been through, their relationship would have grown stronger, but I was wrong. Zoey hugged me tightly. “You truly scared me. I couldn’t eat or sleep these past two days, worrying something would happen to you.”

Harlan interrupted from behind, “You call that not eating or sleeping well? Your snoring is louder than a tiger’s! And last night, you ordered barbecue and beer, which got me scolded by the nurse!”

Zoey blushed and put her hands on her hips. “I’m a fairy! Fairies don’t snore!”

Harlan sneered. “I didn’t see a fairy, but a tiger. If you keep snoring like that, the zoo staff will bring over a cage for you.”

I wondered how they ended up arguing even more. I quickly took Zoey’s hand and led her to a quieter spot to talk.

“Zoey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just fainted that day. Do I look like something’s wrong? Don’t listen to Harlan’s nonsense. I was just upset. I couldn’t get a hold of you, didn’t eat all day, and by night, I was starving and gave in to ordering barbecue.”

I smiled softly. “I’m glad you’re okay. Even if something happened to me, at least I’d know you could keep going and live happily, not always crying.”

“Don’t say such bad things! Is Whitney okay?” Zoey looked around. “Why isn’t she here?”

“Well, it’s a long story. But first, tell me what Nina did this time?”

Zoey pouted. “I tried feeding Harlan durian, Limburger cheese, and barbecue, but he wouldn’t eat. Today, I went out for a milkshake. When I came back, I found Nina feeding him cereal.”

Harlan was explaining to Carter, “Would your wife feed you something disgusting when you’re sick? Like that Limburger cheese—I thought she went to the bathroom and cooked poop! You know I hate those things, especially durian. And in the middle of the night, she woke me up to eat roasted chicken! Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.”

Carter asked, “What about Nina?”

Harlan, looking miserable, said, “I can’t take care of myself. She cried for half a day, then opened a thermos and fed me a mouthful of cereal. I was so hungry, so I took a bite, and then Janice came back.”

Zoey, with her hands on her hips, said, “When I saw that, I couldn’t take it. Didn’t they claim there was no secret relationship? Today, she fed him cereal behind my back, and tomorrow she might be with Harlan without me knowing. I can tolerate anyone, but not Nina. If it weren’t for her, Janice wouldn’t have been pushed to the death. When I got a second chance at life, I swore I wouldn’t be a crybaby anymore. Before the divorce, I won’t let these two cheaters do whatever they want in front of me!”

I couldn’t help but ask, “What did you do?”

“I walked up to them, dumped the cereal all over Nina, and slapped Harlan.”

I was speechless.

Harlan looked like he was about to cry. “Carter, I haven’t eaten in almost a day. I’m starving. I just had one bite of cereal, and Janice slapped me. I’ve been alive this long, and no one’s ever dared to hit me.”

Carter didn’t know what to say either. The two of them kept complaining. It felt as though Carter and I were here not as visitors but as mediators.

I waited for Zoey to calm down before speaking. “Well, is it possible Harlan is just truly hungry?”

“He’s leaving your food and eating someone else’s. He must be starving.”

“Zoey, I don’t like Limburger cheese and durian either. Maybe he just can’t handle it. He’s been spoiled all his life. It’s normal for him to dislike some things.”

Zoey snorted. “I come from a rich family too. Can’t he try the same things I eat? I just wanted him to try something new.”

I finally understood. Zoey had let go of her old life and was trying new experiences like any young person would. It was a nice gesture, but maybe it was a little too much for Harlan to accept all at once.

I patted her head and said, “How about we take it slow? Don’t rush things.”

“Chloe, I’m scared after what happened. I don’t know how much time I have left, so before I go, I’ve made a list of 100 things I want to do. Our time might be short.”

Her voice held a rare vulnerability. I pulled her into a hug. “So, does your list include dating Harlan?”