Chapter 15
“I’ll think about it,” Aline said.
“Great!” Clarice grinned. If Aline was considering it, that meant there was a good chance she’d say yes.
And if she could bring someone like Aline onboard, it would be like hiring a top general. Total game-changer.
Just then, Aline’s phone rang.
She picked it up-and was immediately greeted by Tanisha’s bratty, entitled voice. “Aline, if you’re still alive, get over here already. Don’t tell me you forgot today’s the day you’re supposed to take my mom to the hospital?”
“I don’t have time. Your mom needs a check-up-you and your brother can take her,” Aline said coldly. Without wait- ing for Tanisha’s response, she hung up and immediately blocked her number.
For the past three years of marriage, whenever Penny was sick, it was Aline who accompanied her to the hospital- handling registration, picking up medication, chasing down doctors. But no matter how much she did, the Hill family always took it for granted. Not once did they show any appreciation.
Today was supposed to be Penny’s follow-up eye appointment.
“Who was that?” Clarice asked.
“Clayton’s sister. Not worth paying attention to,” Aline replied.
But half an hour later, Clayton called. “Aline, you’d better get to the hospital right now. If anything happens to my mom, I swear I won’t forgive you!”
Aline frowned but decided to go anyway. They weren’t divorced yet-no need to create more drama.
As soon as she arrived at the hospital, Tanisha stormed over, furious. “Aline! Did you block my number? I couldn’t reach you at all!”
“I did. I blocked you,” Aline said matter-of-factly.
“How dare you!” Tanisha was livid.
Especially since just moments earlier, she’d taken Penny into the doctor’s office only to be kicked out by staff for not having an appointment. Embarrassed under the judgmental stares of others, she called Aline over a dozen times-no answer. It was humiliating.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? Are you some kind of high-ranking official? Do I owe it to you to answer every call?” Aline shot back.
Tanisha was momentarily speechless.
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Chapter 15
Then Clayton stepped in. “Whatever issues we have are between us. You shouldn’t take it out on my mother.”
“What exactly did I do to her?” Aline replied with a smirk.
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“You’ve always taken my mom to her appointments. And now, all of a sudden, you don’t? What do you call that if not making things difficult?” he said, clearly annoyed.
“Oh, so you do remember it was always me who took her. Your mother raised you and your sister-not me. She’s your responsibility. When I took her, it was out of goodwill, not obligation,” Aline said coldly.
“Fine, let’s say you don’t want to go anymore. But how do you explain why she couldn’t get an appointment today? Don’t tell me you had nothing to do with that,” Clayton said, his tone sharp.
“Dr. Chase is a retired military doctor. He’s getting on in years and only sees a handful of patients each week. His ap- pointments book out weeks-sometimes months-in advance. You can’t just show up and expect to get in,” Aline ex- plained.
“Then how come you always managed to get her in?” he asked.
“What do you think?” she replied coolly.
Clayton didn’t respond. Aline could tell what he was thinking-that she’d pulled strings to get the appointments. But the truth was, Steven Chase had always set one aside for her. She used to arrange it with him in advance. But she was- n’t interested in explaining that now.
“In any case, your mom’s cataract surgery is done. If she can’t see Dr. Chase, there are plenty of other doctors in the same department,” Aline said.
Penny overheard and rushed over, pointing a finger at Aline. “You want me to see a regular doctor? You’re trying to kill me-trying to make me go blind!”
With that, she raised her hand to slap Aline. Aline frowned and stepped aside, but Penny wouldn’t let it go.
