Chapter 13 Linda’s Collapse, Houston’s Intervention
Rose took time off to stay by Linda’s side, caring for her critically ill mother without rest. Her phone had run out of battery, and she hadn’t been able to charge it.
For two days, she didn’t contact Houston, leaving him worried as he remained abroad. With no other choice, Houston reached out to his cousin, Owen
Owen was shocked to get the call. He checked the number repeatedly before answering with humor. “Houston! What’s going on! I can’t believe you, of all people, are calling me. This must be my lucky day!”
“Enough with the jokes. I need your help, Houston replied curtly.
Owen instantly became serious. “Houston, is there actually something you can’t handle? Just tell me what to do, and I’ll make“ it happen.”
“I haven’t been able to reach Rose for two days. Go to Crestview Health Institute and check on her. If there’s anything troubling her, deal with it for her
Owen hesitated. “Wait, when did you start dating someone? Houston, are you keeping secrets from me now?”
Houston sighed. “She doesn’t want anyone to know we’re married.”
Owen exclaimed. “What You got married in secret? Is she embarrassed to be seen with you?”
Houston chuckled. “She’s probably the only one in the world who would prefer to keep me hidden.”
Owen suddenly understood. “Wow, she’s really something special. Most people would flaunt any connection to you, but she’s doing the exact opposite. She’s clearly someone who values you for who you are, not your status.”
“She doesn’t even know I’m wealthy, Houston added, leaving Owen speechless.
“What? So, she’s hiding you because she thinks you’re not worth showing off?”
Houston didn’t respond.
Owen groaned. “Houston, can you stop being so cryptic? Just tell me the whole story!”
After a pause, Houston said, “Just make sure she doesn’t find out you know about our relationship.”
Owen smirked. “Got it.
At the hospital, Aaron and Grace came with fruit to see Linda, but Linda, still bitter about Rose’s broken engagement, showed no interest in exchanging pleasantries.
Aaron tried to apologize. “Linda, this situation is awkward for everyone. We’ve been neighbors for so long, and none of us wanted things to end up like this. Please, don’t hold a grudge over what happened between the kids,”
Linda glared at him, furious. “You know how much Rose loved Ethan. Your daughter stole her fiance–that’s unforgivable. Your family gained from this, so it’s easy for you to brush it off. But let me ask you this. What do you plan to do about it?”
Grace, defensive, replied, “Vivian is already pregnant with Ethan’s child. There’s no way we’ll separate them now. Ethan has to take responsibility”
Linda sneered “And what about Rose?”
Grace replied, “Rose and Ethan broke up on good terms. There’s no need to push so hard.”
Linda shouted, “Your daughter is the mistress here, and you still think you’re in the right?”
Grace flushed and turned to Rose. “Rose, tell your mother the truth. You and Ethan were already falling apart before Vivian got involved. Was Vivian really a mistress?”
Rose stood up with a resigned expression and walked towards Grace. “Madam Grace, let your daughter know that if she has
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Chapter 13 Linda’s Collapse, Houston’s Intervention
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chosen such a path, she should drop the pretense. If she continues to lie, I won’t hesitate to publish an article exposing how she stole her best friend’s fiance.”
Grace was instantly dumbfounded. If such an article were made public, her family’s reputation would be in ruins,
Aaron, ashamed, added, “Rose, 1 admit Vivian was wrong, but do we need to escalate things! You’ll get married someday too, and causing a scene won’t do you any favors.”
Linda broke down. “Your daughter ruined my daughter’s happiness, and you expect me to let it go? Never.”
Frightened by Linda’s outburst, Grace said hesitantly, Linda, what if I help Rose find someone better? Would that be acceptable?”
Linda couldn’t hold back her frustration. “Vivian hasn’t found a decent man in all these years, so why didn’t you give her those so–called options? If your daughter didn’t want them, what makes you think my daughter would? Absurd!”
Grace was speechless.
Rose walked to the door and opened it. “You should leave. My mother needs to rest.
That’s when Rose noticed Ethan and Vivian standing outside, looking uncomfortable.
Ethan hesitated, then said, “Rose, we’re here to apologize to your mom. I never condition
Rose’s cold stare sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine.
meant to upset her or worsen her heart
He had never seen her like this
this before, and it unsettled him deeply.
Aaron and Grace exited the room with gloomy faces.
Vivian, furious at seeing her boyfriend humiliated and her parents so upset, snapped. “Rose, our entire family came here to apologize. What else do you want from us?”
Rose gave her a dismissive look. “Vivian, it’s clear your thinking hasn’t matured one bit
over the years. When you make a mistake, you have to deal with the consequences. If ‘sorry‘ fixed everything, then why would we even need police officers?”
Vivian froze, dumbfounded.
The way Rose addressed her, coupled with her icy tone, made it clear their friendship had completely fractured.
Ethan, trying to defend Vivian, spoke up. “Rose, how can you talk like that?”
Rose glared at Ethan with scorn. “Ethan, take your girlfriend and disappear. I don’t ever want to see you near my mom again.”
Ethan, irritated, countered, “Rose, we came here out of goodwill to check on your mom, and this is how you treat us?”
Rose, unfazed, replied, “If you bother me again, I’ll publicly reveal every little detail about how you’ve been freeloading.”
Ethan fell into silence.
Clap, clap, clap!
A sharp round of applause echoed through the room.
The sound felt like a slap across Vivian’s face. She turned to look, her expression darkening further.
Standing there was Owen, a stunningly handsome young man and a rising star in historical romance dramas who had recently become one of the hottest celebrities in the industry.
