?Chapter 13:
Sharon’s voice grew louder. “What did you just say?” From the other end of the line came Jeff’s anxious plea as he watched Katelyn being rushed toward the operating room. “Hurry! Return to the hospital!”
In her haste, Sharon snatched her handbag from the chair and darted out of the café, neglecting the lesson she had meant to impart to Lise.
Upon eavesdropping, Lise’s eyes gleamed with malice and delight.
She silently gave thanks for the swift downfall of her adversary.
With that thought, she resolved to visit Katelyn.
Sharon reached the hospital. She found the doors to the operating room firmly closed, marked by a forbidding red sign.
Jeff paced the hallway, wringing his hands behind him. As the doctor emerged from the operating room, Jeff approached him urgently.
“Doctor, how is my daughter? Why is she in shock again?”
Adjusting his sses, the doctor’s expression was grave. “Her mental state has deteriorated sharply ofte. Should this continue, she may not awaken.”
Jeff trembled and recoiled, struck by the gravity of the situation.
Katelyn was his only child. The thought of losing her was unbearable.
Sharon hurried to her husband’s side, grasping his arm.
“What has happened? Exin it to me clearly,” she implored, her voice tinged with panic.
Jeff’splexion turned pale as he struggled with his words. “Katelyn suddenly fell into aa. The doctor mentioned excessive stimtion.”
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Sharon recoiled as if struck, taking a few steps back.
“How is this possible?” she whispered.
At that moment, the operating room doors burst open again, and Katelyn was wheeled out.
“Katelyn!” Sharon eximed, moving forward.
Jeff held her back with a gentle sigh. “Let her rest. We mustn’t disturb her too much.”
Sharon clutched Jeff’s sleeve tightly and wept. “Katelyn is my everything. What will I do if something happens to her?”
While Jeff offered a consoling pat on her shoulder, his attention shifted as he noticed Lise sneaking in. “Who are you?”
Taken aback, Lise’s eyes widened in rm as she stammered, “I’m a friend of Katelyn’s, and I came to see her.”
Fury ignited within Sharon as she snapped, “How dare you follow me here? You’re to me for my daughter’s suffering!”
Spurred by a resurgence of anger, Sharon seized Lise by the hair and struck her across the face.
“Ouch! Release me!” Lise cried out, retreating and shielding her face.
“You seem to have missed the point earlier. How dare youe after me! I’ll make you regret this!” Sharon threatened menacingly.
Sharon, imposing and quick to anger, yanked clumps of hair from Lise’s scalp.
Themotion drew a crowd, whose initially sympathetic looks turned to revulsion as Sharon’s insults flew.
Despite her screams, Lise couldn’t evade Sharon’s blows. She shielded her face and pleaded for mercy.
Blinded by rage, Sharon med Katelyn for her misery and vowed vengeance.
Enraged, Sharon kicked at Lise’s legs, cursing, “I’ll end you!”
Jeff observed Lise intently, a pang of recognition striking him—a feeling he’d never had with Katelyn.
Without a second thought, he stepped in front of Lise to shield her, enduring Sharon’s wrath. Wincing, he protested, “Enough! Remember where we are!”
With Jeff’s intervention, Lise managed to slip away, her face bruised and her appearance disheveled. Breathing hard, Sharon seethed. “You’re not getting away. Move, Jeff, or you’ll regret it!”
Jeff tried to calm Lise, urging, “Why wait? Go now!”
Realizing her peril, Lise clutched her handbag and fled.
The thought of further violence terrified her.
In a rage, Sharon attacked Jeff, scratching at his face. “Jeff Bailey, are you stupid? How could you side with that woman? Do you fancy her as well?”
Pain shot through Jeff as he restrained Sharon.
“What are you talking about?” He scowled, a suspicion forming. “I’ve merely begun to suspect she might be my own.”
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