The Betrayed Heiress Is Now the CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

The day Sue was discharged, the sky was a clear, crisp blue after a night of snow. Trees on both sides of the road glistened under the morning, sun, their branches coated in for.

Desmond drove to the hospital himself to pick her up. The car ride was silent, weighed down by an unspoken heaviness.

In the backseat, little Charlotte pressed her face against the window, breathing onto the cold glass and tracing pictures with her fingertip. Her heart was full of joy.

Mom was finally coming home.

She drew a picture of the three of them–her, Mom, and Dad–hand in hand. Her eyes sparkled with happiness.

Sue noticed and felt a sharp pang In her heart. Her eyes turned rod in an instant. She quickly turned her head away, wiping away the tears before forcing a smile.

“Charlotte, your birthday is coming up. What do you want this year?”

Charlotte, still busy doodling on the window, answered without hesitation. “Mom, I want a Cinnamoroll”

“Cinnamoroll?” Sur’s voler was warm. “Is that a dog breed? I don’t think I’ve heard of it before.”

“No, no,” Charlotte shook her head eagerly. “It’s a cartoon puppy. I want a ceramic Cinnamoroll. My friend, Lena, said there’s a new craft shop on Chancery Road where you can paint your own ceramic figurines.”

She turned to look at her mom, her little face full of excitement. “Last week, Lena and Jordan went there and painted the cutest little figurines.”

Sue smiled gently, her gaze soft. “Alright. If that’s what you want, we’ll go together.”

On Charlotte’s twelfth birthday, the city was blanketed in snow.

Hand in hand, she and her mother stepped into the craft shop. Since they had placed an order in advance, the shopkeeper handed them an unpainted ceramic Cinnamoroll as soon as they arrived.

Together, mother and daughter carefully painted their little figurine.

It was the first time they had ever created something together.

When they were done, Charlotte beamed, admiring their work. It looked just like the one in the reference picture–maybe even cuter.

Afterward, they stopped by a bakery nearby, Sue held the cake in one hand and Charlotte’s hand in the other as they walked through the snow

At one point, Sue suddenly stopped. She turned to her daughter, looking at her with deep affection.

“Charlotte, I love you. So, so much.”

Her voice was light and soft, quickly carried away by the cold winter wind.

Charlotte’s nose was red from the chill

Mom always told her she loved her, so she didn’t think much of it. She smiled, answering in a bright, cheerful voice.

“I love you too, Mom.”

Sue’s nose stung. She fought back the tears

Her jule Charlotte was still so young. Only twelve.

She wouldn’t be able to stay with her touch longer

How would her daughter go on without her?

Afraid Charlotte would see her crying, Sue turned away and kept walking, leading her across the bustling Chancery Road and into the outdoor parking lot

Frogs a distance, Charlotte spotted her father standing by the car, unoking

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He looked sad.

She rarely saw that expression on him

Just as she was about to ask, Desmond lifted his head and noticed them.

The sorrow on his face disappeared in an instant, replaced by his usual expression.

For a monsent, Charlotte wondered if she had Imagined it.

Desmond put out his cigarette, his voice hoarse as he spoke. “You’re back.”

Sue gave him a soft “Mm.”

That night, Desmond cooked dinner himself.

The three of them sat around the table, eating, talking, laughing. Charlotte wore a little birthday

candles.

For a moment, everything felt warm and perfect.

Until it wasn’t.

Ir happened while they were eating cake.

Sue had just li

lifted a piece to her lips when she suddenly started coughing violently.

Then, she began vomiting blood.

Charlotte froze.

Her slice of cake slipped from her fingers, landing on the floor, staining her brand–new shoes.

she made a wish and

Panic took over Desmond’s face as he rushed to her side, his voice choked with fear. “Suel Sue, don’t do this to me. I’ll take you to the hospital right now

The housekeeper scrambled to dial 911.

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