Chapter 30
Zack quickly looked away when Liana called, following her silently as they left the hospital.
Back home, he carefully helped Lian
settle onto the living room couch.
“Grandma, is your back still acting up?” he asked, his voice gentle with worry.
Liana had gotten a massage and some painkillers at the hospital, but the relief didn’t last.
She shook her head, her face weary. “Same shot.”
as
always. The meds are just the usual anti–inflammatories and painkillers. This back of mine’s probably
Zack’s chest tightened with guilt.
Since Sylvia and Byron’s divorce, Liana had spoiled him, always making sure he didn’t feel left out or hurt.
He knew her back pain was a long–term problem. Sylvia’s medical patches used to keep it under control, but now…
His eyes brightened as an idea hit him. He turned to Liana, his voice eager. “Grandma, can I go hang out at a friend’s house for a bit?”
Liana ruffled his hair with a warm smile and nodded. She called the family driver, telling him to drop Zack off and pick him up later.
Sylvia didn’t go straight home from the hospital. Instead, she stopped by a supplier to lock in a deal for a batch of medicinal herbs.
With those, she could make more medical patches. The problem? The FDA was blocking her approval, and without that license, her patches couldn’t be
sold.
On the drive home, her phone buzzed. It was Jolie, her assistant. “Miss Sullivan, we figured it out. The FDA’s stalling your patch because of Joanna.”
Sylvia’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, a cold glint in her eyes.
Of course it was her.
“One of the FDA higher–ups is a huge Joanna fan,” Jolie went on, her voice tinged with irritation. “She called him herself to r
me strings.”
“Got it,” Sylvia said, her voice sharp and icy. She hung up, letting out a frustrated breath. Getting that FDA approval just got a lot harder.
Her car pulled up outside her small villa. As she opened the front door, the sound of kids‘ laughter poured out.
In the living room, Ruby was giggling with a little boy.
It was Zack.
“Mom, you’re back!” Ruby dropped her toy and ran over, her face beaming with a big smile. “He came to hang out!”
Sylvia smoothed Ruby’s soft hair, her eyes shifting to Zack, sharp and cautious. “What are you doing here?”
Zack’s eyes reddened at her cold tone, but he stuck out his chin stubbornly. “I’m not here for you. I came to hang out with Ruby.”
“You forgot what your dad said?” Sylvia’s voice was firm, no nonsense. “He told you not to come here. Go home. Now.”
She placed her keys on the entryway table and slipped into housecoat, her movements steady.
Zack had expected this, but her words still hurt, cutting deep into his young heart.
He bit his lip hard, his eyes wetting up, tempted to run off. But a stubborn spark flared inside him.
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Chapter 30
The more she pushed him away, the more he’d stand his ground.
She didn’t used to act like this. He couldn’t believe she’d really given up on him,
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he dropped onto the couch, crossing his arms, “I told you, I’m here for Ruby. I’m not going”
Ruby’s big eyes flicked to Sylvia, her voice small and pleading. “Mommy, please don’t make him leave. I love hanging out with him.”
Sylvia sighed, her face still tight. She walked to the kitchen, rinsing a plate and handed it to Ruby.
a
of lychees she’d picked up on the way home. She arranged them neatly on a
Ruby grabbed it with a happy squeal, toddling to the coffee table. She picked up a shiny grape and held it out to Zack, her voice cheerful. “Here, eat!”
Zack shook his head, his voice low. “You have it, Ruby.”
His heart felt heavy, sour with pain.
He knew Sylvia wouldn’t offer him any.
These past months had made it clear: in Sylvia’s heart, there was no space
Ruby tilted her head, confused why Zack wouldn’t eat something so tasty.
for him.
She popped two lychees into her mouth, then held another out to him, her eyes big and hopeful.
When he still said no, her little shoulders drooped. “If you won’t eat, then I won’t either…”
Sylvia kept her eyes glued to her laptop, acting like she didn’t see the moment playing out in front of her.
Her fingers tapped away at the keyboard, fine–tuning the design for her medical patch’s packaging with sharp focus.
“Ruby, I’m heading home,” Zack said, getting up from the couch.
He glanced at Sylvia, hoping for even a tiny sign she cared.
But Sylvia didn’t look up. The ache in his chest grew heavier, and he pushed open the front door, slipping out quietly.
“Little Knight!” Ruby ran after him, waving from the doorstep, her voice cheerful. “Come back to play soon, okay?”
Zack gave a small nod, climbing into the family car. His small figure disappeared as the car drove off.
Once he was gone, Sylvia’s eyes finally lifted from her screen, landing on a small box left on the coffee table.
She walked over and opened it. Inside was the pearl necklace.
It was the same one Zack had tried to give her before, the one she’d turned down.
He’d left it behind again, quietly stubborn.
Sylvia stood there, quiet for a long moment. Then, she handed the box to Ruby, her voice soft but firm. “Ruby, put this in the drawer in my room upstairs
for me.”
Her heart had softened just enough to keep his gift this time.
But forgiveness? That was different. Mistakes had consequences, and if Zack couldn’t figure out right from wrong now, he’d go way off track as an adult.
Back at home, Liana was waiting for Zack in the living room, her warm smile a familiar comfort.
“Zack, your dad’s at a work dinner tonight, so it’s just us for dinner,” she said, settling into her chair.
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Chapter 30
Zack was used to this. Most nights, it was just him and Grandma. Even Joanna, who he really adored, wasn’t around as much as he wanted.
He brightened up, reaching into his pocket with a grin. “Grandma, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
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