Chapter 588

"Upton's stable," Mabel said, trying to sound upbeat. "Doc says he can go home in two days."

Finnegan just grunted, not even bothering to turn around.

Mabel bit her lip, holding back her disappointment and frustration.

"When are we heading back home?" Mabel asked cautiously.

Finnegan finally turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "What's the rush? Don't forget Claire still has eight hundred million dollars."

He stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes gleaming with calculation. "She's my daughter. Her money should be mine."

Mabel lowered her head, hiding her disdain.

She knew how much Claire despised Finnegan. Fixing their relationship was nearly impossible.

But Mabel didn't dare voice her thoughts. Instead, she said softly, "I'll go check on Upton at the hospital."

"Go on, go on," Finnegan waved her off impatiently. "Just make sure Upton doesn't cause me any more trouble."

Suddenly, Jett jumped up from the couch. "Mom! Where's my lobster?"

Mabel forced a smile. "It's coming, sweetie. Just wait a little longer." She glanced at the indifferent Finnegan and the demanding Jett, feeling utterly exhausted.

But then she remembered what Upton had said. If Upton could really teach Claire a lesson and find a way to get that eight hundred million dollars, she wouldn't have to put up with Finnegan anymore.

Mabel had stuck with Finnegan because he had money. But his construction business had been struggling for the past two years, and the bank was hounding him for payments. It was only a matter of time before it went under.

Plus, Finnegan was in his fifties, while Mabel was just forty. She was starting to feel resentful about staying with him.

If she had money, she could leave Finnegan and take Jett with her. Then she could find a younger lover she actually liked.

With that thought, Mabel found herself hoping Upton would succeed.

Outside, the sun shone brightly over Marigoldia, the sea a brilliant blue.

Under the same sky, two completely different worlds existed.

Joseph and Claire returned to their villa. Seeing Claire's tired expression, Joseph felt a pang of concern.

"Why don't you go take a nap?" Joseph suggested gently. "You drank quite a bit last night, and you didn't eat much at lunch."

Claire didn't have much of an appetite, and her head was throbbing from the alcohol. Compared to Zoey, though, her condition was nothing.

But she was indeed tired. Spending the morning with Gabriel and Travis, telling them stories, had left her parched.

So when Joseph suggested she rest, she didn't refuse.

Before heading to the bedroom, Claire hesitated, looking at Joseph with a conflicted expression.

Joseph noticed and smiled. "What's on your mind? Do you have something to tell me?"

Claire hesitated for a moment before asking, "Joseph, do you regret marrying me?"

"Why would I regret it?"

Joseph was taken aback by her question.

"I cut ties with my father yesterday. If people find out, they'll say I'm ungrateful. No one will care why I did it; they'll only see me as heartless."

"As my husband, you'll be judged too. It's my fault."

Claire worried that Joseph, a top medical professor, might lose patients because of her.

Joseph hadn't expected this to be the reason for her concern.

He looked at her seriously. "Claire, why would I care about that? I only regret not meeting you sooner. Knowing how your father treated you, it breaks my heart."

"Really?" Claire looked at Joseph, unsure.

Joseph nodded earnestly. "Of course."

Reassured by his sincerity, Claire finally relaxed.

She hugged Joseph. "You're the best, Joseph."

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting warm patches of light in the bedroom.

Zoey leaned against the headboard, watching the two kids who had just finished lunch.

Gabriel and Travis, in matching light blue outfits, had slightly bulging bellies and food smudges on their faces.

"Mom, we want to stay with you," Gabriel said bravely, clutching Travis's shirt.

"Yeah, we promise not to bother you," Travis added, his big eyes full of hope.

Zoey's heart melted. She wanted to hold them close.

But a tickle in her throat made her cautious. She turned away to cough, then shook her head firmly. "No, Mommy's still sick. I don't want you to catch it."

Gabriel and Travis looked disappointed, their lips pouting.

Travis's eyes even welled up with tears.

Zoey, holding back her own sadness, patted their soft hair. "When Mommy gets better, we'll build a huge sandcastle together, okay?"

"How big?" Gabriel sniffled, momentarily distracted.

"Like this," Zoey spread her arms wide. "Bigger than Daddy!"

The exaggerated comparison made Gabriel and Travis giggle.

Just then, they both yawned, tears of sleepiness forming in their eyes.

"Looks like our little warriors are tired," Henry said, walking in with two glasses of milk. "Drink your milk and take a nap. When you wake up, Mommy will feel much better."

The nanny followed, taking the milk from Henry and kneeling to hand it to Gabriel and Travis. "Gabriel and Travis are the best, right? Mommy needs rest to get better."

With their cooperation, Gabriel and Travis finally drank their milk. Before leaving, they reminded Zoey, "Mommy, take your medicine!"

"And cover up with a blanket!"

Zoey smiled and nodded, watching the nanny lead them out.

Once the door closed, she let herself sink into the pillows, exhaling deeply.

The fatigue from her cold washed over her again, and Zoey closed her eyes to rest.

"You should rest too," Henry's voice came from beside her, as the bed dipped slightly.

Zoey opened her eyes to see Henry sitting on the edge, his hand checking her forehead.

His warm, dry hand made Zoey nuzzle against it instinctively.