Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 261

How much affection could a woman like that really harbor for a biological son she hadn't seen in five years?

To Hester, Seraphina Simpson was neither purehearted nor kind; she was fundamentally selfish.

If Caden were perfectly obedient and useful to her, perhaps she might have spared him a scrap of maternal affection. But if he stepped out of line? Seraphina wasn't the patient type. She was far more likely to blame the little boy for being troublesome. It was entirely plausible that she had been abusing him behind closed doors!

The more Hester thought about it, the more convinced she became that Seraphina had laid a hand on him.

But she had no proof.

Furthermore, Caden was still unconscious. Without the child's own testimony, explicitly confronting Seraphina would only result in Julian taking her side, perhaps even turning the tables to accuse Hester of a petty vendetta.

Making a scene would accomplish nothing but exhaust them all.

After turning it over in her mind, Hester decided to ignore Seraphina for now.

Caden's health was the priority.

She looked at Julian. "He's had head trauma before. His current mental state might be linked to his previous memory loss. Dr. Fuller knows his psychological profile best. Have you contacted her?"

"Fiona is already on her way," Julian replied, his gaze fixed on her.

He could tell she genuinely cared about the boy.

"Hester," his tone softened slightly. "Caden might wake up soon. He's incredibly dependent on you. If you don't have anywhere else to be, could you stay?"

She frowned, hesitation written across her features.

Julian pressed gently, "Dr. Fuller should arrive by noon. Based on past experience, Caden will likely need your presence when he comes to."

"You should go home. What happened to him was an accident; it has nothing to do with you taking him out on the boat."

"He's a sweet, well-behaved kid. It's only right that I show some concern when he's sick," Jasper reasoned. "Besides, I'm not comfortable leaving you here alone in your condition."

Hester was about to reply when a chilling, shadowed voice cut through the corridor.

"My wife has her husband to take care of her. Why should Mr. Kane be concerned?"

Julian strode over, coming to a halt right beside Hester.

His dark eyes locked onto the lawyer, a faint, mocking curve touching his lips. "I feel the need to remind you, Mr. Kane, that my wife and I are still legally married."

Jasper offered a polite, unbothered smile. His voice was calm and steady. "But you've already signed an agreement. Strictly speaking, Ms. Carrington is currently separated from you, and she has every right to refuse your company."