Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 270

"He's awake," Hester announced as she ended the call, looking at Jasper. "I need to go up."

"Want me to come with you?"

"No need." She stood up. "Julian is completely unreasonable. Just wait for me here."

Knowing better than to argue, Jasper nodded. "Alright. Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

...

Stepping out of the elevator, Hester spotted Seraphina standing outside the hospital room, effectively barred from entering by Leon.

Hester approached at a steady, unhurried pace.

Seeing her, Seraphina's red, swollen eyes glared with raw hatred.

Leon bowed respectfully. "Madam, Mr. Weston and Dr. Fuller are inside. You may enter."

She offered Leon a curt nod and moved to bypass the other woman.

Suddenly, Seraphina shot her hand out, grabbing Hester's wrist. "You put him up to this, didn't you?! You vile bitch! You're pregnant with your own child; why are you trying to steal mine?!"

Hester stopped dead. Turning her head, she leveled a glacial stare at the hysterical woman.

A cold, mocking smile touched her lips. "Is he really your son, Seraphina?"

Seraphina froze.

A flash of sheer panic dashed across her eyes.

But she recovered instantly, jutting her chin out defensively. "I carried him for ten months! He is my flesh and blood! Don't you dare try to take him from me!!"

Hester violently yanked her arm free.

"I said he was small, not stupid. That terrified you. That's why you deliberately threw a massive tantrum earlier, screaming about taking him away. You knew perfectly well his fragile emotional state couldn't handle the shock, yet you didn't pull a single punch. You claim he's your son, but it looks to me like you're desperate to drive him insane."

"You're lying!" Seraphina hissed. "You're the one who secretly beat him when Julian and I weren't looking! You're the one who can't stand the sight of us..."

"Save your performance for Julian." Having lost all patience for the theatrical display, Hester turned and walked straight into the room.

"Hester—!"

Seraphina tried to lunge after her, but Leon moved with lightning speed, slamming the door shut in her face.

"Mr. Weston made it clear that your presence is not required here. Please return to your room."

Walking softly, Hester moved closer, finally able to see what he was creating.

It was a ship, sailing across a vast ocean.

Putting his crayon down, the boy looked up at the therapist.

Fiona gently ruffled his hair. "Are you finished, sweetie?"

He nodded obediently.

"Can I see it?"

"Okay."

Fiona picked up the paper, examining it with razor-sharp focus.

This was her specialized art therapy technique. By observing the child's creative process and analyzing the final composition, she could accurately gauge their deepest, unspoken psychological state.

She scrutinized every stroke, unwilling to miss a single detail.

After a long moment, she lowered the paper and pointed to a tiny, solitary figure standing on the deck of the drawn ship. "Why did you color this little person red?"