Chapter 112
Cleo thought I would just swallow my anger, but my reaction disappointed her.
I wouldn't keep giving in to her as Jessa did - I had no ulterior motives with her.
I was nice to her only because of Levi.
I thought her heartfelt words before meant she had changed, but now it seemed she just happened to be feeling generous that day and didn't hurt me.
Whenever she was unhappy, she had to take it out on the people around her. Might as well hand her over to someone who could actually handle her.
I called Levi's mother. "Uma, I'm with Cleo. She has some misunderstandings about me. When you have time, could you explain for me? I have no feelings for Michael whatsoever. Our companies' products happened to have similar themes, but they released theirs later. I had no idea."
"Blair, sorry for the trouble. Tell her to come stay with me for a couple of days. Tomorrow's Saturday, and Hayden doesn't have school."
"You tell her yourself. I need to drive. I have to get home right away - Celestia's waiting for me at home."
"Alright then."
We hung up. Cleo was about to say something, but I cut her off.
"Please take her home. I'll drive myself back."
I told the driver to take Cleo home. I didn't want to deal with her at all. It was ridiculous, really - everyone in the Morgan family was capable, except her, still living off her parents, spoiled beyond belief.
...
When I got home, Levi and Celestia were in the yard playing with the small animals.
They were both laughing happily, which made me feel a bit better.
"Mommy, you're back!"
I walked over to them. The exhaustion in my body made me look a bit listless, but I tried hard to smile.
"It's so cold out. Let's go inside."
I cupped Celestia's face to warm it up. The icy cold feeling made me shiver.
"Let's play again tomorrow. Don't want your mom to freeze."
Levi looked at me tenderly. We hadn't seen each other in days, and he didn't look too well either.
"Okay, Daddy. Let's wash our hands and eat. Mommy's appetite has been pretty good lately." Celestia pulled both our hands, leading us back inside.
"She's probably just really tired."
Levi said those few words. When Celestia asked him more, he didn't explain.
I really was tired. I'd rushed out the Star series in such a short time, then got wrapped up in all sorts of messy stuff. Just Cleo's troublemaking today alone had left me physically and mentally exhausted.
After dinner, we went back to our room.
When Levi was changing into his pajamas, I saw him grimacing. He touched his waist.
"Let me see."
I walked over to him. Just as I was about to lift his shirt, he stopped me.
"It's much better already. It's fine."
Levi's grip was a bit strong, holding me back.
I used my other hand to pry his away. "Just let me look."
I slowly lifted his shirt and saw a very dark bruise on his waist. When I pressed it lightly, he let out a small groan.
"And you say it's not serious. Have you even been to the hospital to get it checked?"
Levi casually pulled at his shirt, then lay down.
"It's fine. No need to go."
I hated this nonchalant attitude of his. I'd noticed him in pain several times, yet he still acted tough.
"Going to the hospital for an injury isn't embarrassing. If you keep pushing through like this and you've actually hurt the bone or muscle, treatment will be much more troublesome later."
I'd been injured before. I knew how hard it was. If it was nothing, fine, but if it was serious, the follow-up treatment would be even more painful.
"Really, it's fine."
I grabbed his arm. "Get up right now and go to the hospital with me for a checkup. If it's really nothing, then I can relax."
"Are you worried about me?"
Levi sat up and looked at me seriously.
"When have I not worried about you? You're a father now - it's not good to always make me worry, is it?"
All these years, all I'd thought about was him and the child. Couldn't he feel that? How could he ask such a question?
Levi's lips curved up. "Let's not go to the hospital. Really, it's fine."
I put on a thick coat on my own. "I'll wait for you downstairs."
I'd apparently never been this firm in demanding he do something before, so I saw the surprise in his eyes. He got out of bed, obediently put on his clothes, and followed me downstairs.
There weren't many people at the hospital at night. I registered Levi for emergency care. He made a phone call, and soon one of his acquaintances arrived.
It was the orthopedic director from when I was hospitalized before, who happened to be on duty today.
I went with Levi to get X-rays, then we waited.
"Do you want some water?" I noticed Levi's lips were quite dry.
"I'll have the driver bring some up."
I pressed down on his hand. "No need. I'll just buy a bottle over there. It's convenient."
I never liked troubling others. The driver had already worked hard coming out with us so late. Plus, the two of us sitting there was a bit awkward.
I don't know why, but ever since I saw the childhood Star, whenever I saw Levi, my face would get hot, and I'd feel shy.
We'd been husband and wife for six years, yet we were more easily embarrassed than before we got married.
While I was buying water, I actually overheard a conversation between Jessa and Chase...
"I'm sick now. You have to help me. I heard you've made a lot of money recently. Can you pay for my follow-up treatment?"
"Now you admit I'm your dad? Didn't you want to cut ties with me and Mom? I did make money, but I have a lot of debts too. The over 2 million you scammed from Levi last time should be enough for your treatment."
"It's not enough. I'm seriously ill this time. The doctor says the chances of recovery aren't high. I'll need newly developed targeted drugs later, and they all cost money."
My heart sank. Chase had a tumor?
"Aren't many targeted drugs free? You can provide them with clinical data, which would save a lot of money."
Chase sighed. "I knew you were heartless. I'm begging you, okay?"
"Begging me? I'm not your only daughter. Go ask Blair - her family has so much money."
Jessa must have really been disappointed in him, or how could she talk to her biological father like this?
But asking me for money was really too much. I'd said before that Chase had never fulfilled any fatherly responsibilities, so I wouldn't support him.
"Blair's even more of a money pit. You think I haven't thought of that? Last time she fainted and was hospitalized - do I dare go find her?"
"I think you just can't mess with Levi. You know they have a good relationship now, you know Levi takes her side, so you come to me because you think I'm easy to bully."
Chase shouted loudly, "You and your mother are exactly the same - she cheated, and you're useless too!"
Jessa shot back sharply, "When Mom got in trouble, you sure didn't treat me like a daughter!"
I took the water and didn't keep watching them. Now Chase had a terminal illness - was this his karma?