Chapter 18
It's the third day of the event. Today's outdoor activity is some parent-child trust challenge games. Celestia excitedly told me last night that she wanted to win first place today.
The teacher told me in advance that today would be physically demanding and asked if Celestia's dad could take time off to participate instead of me.
Levi doesn't have time, I know that.
I can't do activities like running and jumping. To avoid spoiling the fun, I discussed with Celestia about having Nola join her instead, and she happily agreed.
When Celestia saw Nola get out of the car, she rushed into her arms.
"You're finally here! I've been waiting so anxiously," Celestia said sweetly to her.
Nola picked her up in one swoop. "Let me show you my strength. What do you think? Can I help you out today?"
Celestia kicked her legs happily. "Definitely! Definitely!"
"You coming really helps me out big time."
I'm truly grateful for how Nola always comes through when I need her.
"There you go, being formal again. I treasure your daughter, too. I'm here whenever you need me." Without hesitation, Nola took Celestia's hand and headed to the activity area.
"Be careful, you two," I called out.
Nola waved her hand. "Don't worry, go wait in the car for us."
Before she came, we had agreed - she'd accompany the child in the activities while I held a video conference in the car. Clear division of tasks.
I straightened my clothes, got in the car, cleared my throat, and got myself ready.
Six years - today was my first meeting since returning. I felt a bit nervous.
The company had multiple areas that needed discussion, so the meeting ran much longer than usual. I talked so much that, although I was tired, I stayed enthusiastic throughout.
The moment I closed my laptop, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders.
Just as I was stretching, I saw Nola running frantically toward me, with people carrying a stretcher behind her...
"Blair, Celestia's hurt!"
I jumped out of the car in panic and steadied her as she gasped for breath. "What happened?"
"The competition was going fine at first. All the other groups finished safely. But when it was Celestia and me, somehow the safety rope suddenly broke..."
Nola's hands were shaking uncontrollably. "The school said that to build trust between parents and children, the kids needed to hold the rope, but suddenly it broke and Celestia and I both fell."
"Celestia..."
"The kindergarten says it was their oversight, but all the other groups were fine. Oh, and when we were getting ready, I think someone switched the rope..."
Nola suddenly remembered this detail. The thought terrified her.
"Could someone have infiltrated to harm us?"
My mind was in chaos. I couldn't think rationally about any of this.
The medical staff brought Celestia out on the stretcher. I rushed over.
"Mom, I'm okay. Don't worry."
To comfort me, Celestia even smiled at me, but guilt had already spread through my entire body.
If we had refused this arrangement... But it's too late to say anything now...
"Don't be scared, Celestia. Mom's here."
Nola and I got in the ambulance together. As soon as we got in, the doctor did a quick examination.
"We don't have full equipment here. From what I can see, it's just some surface injuries, but the child says her arm and wrist hurt. We'll need to take some X-rays when we get back."
My head was a mess. How could this happen? All the other kids were fine, but my Celestia...
Nola was also upset. "This is partly my fault. I should have checked carefully. That rope looked really sturdy."
"We're truly sorry. This is our problem. We didn't implement safety measures properly." The kindergarten teacher apologized sincerely.
"Do you have surveillance footage?"
I suddenly remembered what Nola said about someone switching the rope.
"Yes, we checked right away. At the time, one teacher felt something was off. She saw an unfamiliar worker wearing a hat."
"When we reviewed the surveillance, we found out he was the one who switched to a new rope. Upon closer inspection, we discovered the rope had obvious cut marks. We're really sorry. We'll take responsibility."
The kindergarten teacher started crying as she spoke.
This wasn't just a simple accident anymore - someone had deliberately tried to harm us. A place where children play should be safe and clean. How could such a person get in?
And why would he want to hurt my daughter?
I couldn't understand any of it. Celestia is just a child. She wouldn't have enemies.
And I've been at home all these years, barely interacting with the outside world.
Levi?
I didn't even need to think about it - it couldn't possibly be his enemy. First, he doesn't make enemies. Second, no one dares to provoke him.
We soon arrived at the hospital. Because I was too nervous and had run too fast and urgently, my foot injury flared up a bit, making me walk slowly.
Nola was running back and forth. She had hit the back of her head, and it was bleeding, but she said she was fine and kept taking Celestia for examinations.
The kindergarten notified Levi. He came in with a dark expression.
Jessa followed behind him, calling out, "Levi, wait for me."
I stood up. At this moment, even sitting and waiting seemed sinful in his eyes.
"Where's Celestia?"
"In the ward. I'm waiting here for the results."
Levi gritted his teeth. "Useless!"
I had imagined many ways he might blame me, but these two words were truly devastating, completely erasing all my efforts.
He didn't even ask me for the room number. He went straight to the triage desk.
I saw him make a phone call, and then the chief physician hurried out and left with him.
"That's it, that's it. This time, Levi won't forgive you. You're so useless, you can't take care of the child. Even if you two divorce, the child can't stay with you."
Jessa stood to the side, making snide remarks, playing with her hair.
She's like a plague god, showing up everywhere.
I checked the time. It was time to get Celestia's test results.
"Blair, I advise you to stop struggling, or you'll lose everything!"
"Was it you?"
I questioned her sharply. She was the only one who would go against me.
Jessa laughed gleefully. "Don't go accusing innocent people. I..."
"You'd better hope I don't find evidence!"
I warned her loudly. Celestia is my bottom line.
"Oh my, look at you acting all tough. Go ahead and investigate. You think Levi will believe you? You'd better save your energy for explaining to him."
"If you can't be a good mother, don't try so hard. I'll do it for you." Jessa flipped her hair behind her back.
Nola walked over and stood in front of me. "Jessa, I'm warning you, don't play tricks, or I won't be nice!"
"Oh, you're here too. I heard you are collateral damage."
What did she mean by that? Why is Nola collateral damage?
Was she originally trying to harm me? Did Nola take the hit for me?
This was definitely Jessa's doing!
Just as I was about to question her, Levi interrupted me.
"Did you get the CT scan?"
Nola grabbed my arm and squeezed it. "I'll get it. Don't argue with her. Celestia is what matters now."