Chapter 30 We’re Done for Good
Caroline shut her eyes, bracing for the impact of cold, hard marble.
But instead of crashing to the floor, she landed in a warm embrace.
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When she opened her eyes and saw William, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.
Caleb locked his eyes on the two of them and mocked, “Can’t even visit your kid without bringing your new boyfriend? You’re really something.”
William shot back, “Watch your damn mouth!”
“Oh?” Caleb sneered. “Did I hit a nerve? Got you all worked up now, huh?”
Caroline felt her entire body fill with fury. Every inch of her burned. Like the rage had scorched the air around her, suffocating her.
Seeing her start to sway, William quickly helped her sit down.
Caleb’s voice dripped with mockery as he said, “Wow. Real bold of you two. I’m not even dead yet. You’re already all over each other right in front of me.”
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William’s contempt for the Martin family could fill a novel.
At this point, he didn’t even bother filtering his language.
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“A decent ex should be as good as dead. Since you’re not, drop dead already,” he scoffed.
“Thank God Caroline divorced you. If she were still your wife, getting sick while being humiliated by you and some other woman–she’d either die of illness or from sheer frustration.”
The moment Caleb heard the word “sick,” he narrowed his eyes and looked Caroline over.
She was curled up on the couch. She looked small and pale, her hands trembling uncontrollably. There was even a fresh cut on the back of her hand.
His expression turned grim as he asked, “What happened?”
William rolled his eyes. “She’s dying. Happy now?”
Then, he turned to Dominic, his tone laced with disdain.
“Congrats, kid. Looks like you finally get to have a new mom.”
Dominic clamped his lips shut, not daring to say a word.
“This is our family business. You don’t get a say here. Do us a favor and get the hell out.” Caleb’s gaze turned ice–cold as he
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stared at William.
This guy is somehow even more annoying than Anthony.
But William couldn’t have cared less.
He wants me gone? Fine, but I’m taking Caroline with me.
William bent down to help Caroline up, but a large hand yanked him back by the wrist.
“You think you can touch her?” Caleb growled.
Caroline gritted through the pain and stood on her Own. She shoved Caleb aside and met his stunned eyes with a cold glare.
“You have no right to say that to my friend.”
Caleb let out a low, angry laugh. “What, you sick in your head now? You really think he just sees you as a friend?”
At that, William’s jaw tightened as he pressed his lips into a hard line.
“It is none of your business,” Caroline retorted, her tone frosty as her gaze swept over him and Dominic.
“You chose to believe Michelle. She was the one who put Dominic in the hospital. And you still defend her and come after me. I’ve got nothing left to say to either of you. Not now, not
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ever. From now on, we’re done for good.”
Dominic spoke up in a small voice, “Mom…”
Caroline let out a dry scoff.
Now you remember I am your Mom?
But Caroline’s heart had long gone cold.
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“I’m not your mother anymore. Michelle is now. That’s what you wanted, right? She’ll let you eat whatever you want. If you’re not feeling well and want oatmeal, don’t come running to me. Ask her to make it for you.”
She let out a bitter laugh and shut her eyes, utterly drained.
“Doesn’t matter what I do. In your eyes, it’s always wrong. William, let’s go.”
And then, William supported her as they walked away.
Somehow, a wave of anxiety surged through Caleb.
He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, Dominic burst into loud sobs again.
“Hmph! Mean mommy! I don’t want you anymore! Daddy doesn’t want you either. I want Michelle to be my mommy.”
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Caroline hadn’t made it far, so the moment she heard the words from the son she carried for nine months, her heart twisted so hard it hurt.
A mother and child were bound by blood. No matter how far they drifted, it still cut deep.
William tried to comfort her. “He’s just a kid. He doesn’t mean it.”
“That’s exactly it,” Caroline murmured, lips curling faintly in self–mockery. “He’s too young to fake it. Everything he says is real. Guess he really does hate me as his mom.”
William had no idea what to say to that.
After a long pause, he awkwardly changed the subject.
“There’s a development team holding a workshop in a few days. They sent us an invitation. Do you want to go?”
Caroline asked, “Which team?”
William replied, “Divine Realm’s.”
Divine Realm used to be the undisputed king of mobile worldwide.
games
It had started as a small independent studio but later sold out to foreign investors.
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Ever since then, they’d lost the heart that once made the game great.
Its reputation had tanked, and player numbers plummeted.
Hardly anyone played it anymore.
Though the studio never produced another hit that came close to Divine Realm’s, its past achievements still carried weight.
Caroline had been planning to expand her team lately, so she agreed, “They’re all legends in the industry. Count me in.”
***
Meanwhile, back in the hospital room, the air felt heavy.
Dominic had worked himself into a full–blown tantrum again, crying for oatmeal.
Caleb grabbed his phone and called Edwin. “Grab some oatmeal. Something light.”
“I don’t want restaurant food!” Dominic shouted.
Caleb shot him a cold look. “Starve, then. Didn’t you hear what your mom said? She’s not gonna care about you. Throwing a fit won’t change anything.”
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Dominic froze at his harsh tone.
His mouth drooped, eyes shimmering with tears that refused to fall.
Michelle tried to calm him down before saying to Caleb. “Come
on now, Dominic is just a kid. What does a child know? He wouldn’t have said those things if Caroline had shown him a little more care.”
Caleb scoffed, “Caroline has spoiled him. And you’re saying she doesn’t care? No one in this world’s cared about him more than
she has.”
Hearing that, Michelle clenched her fists tightly.
At first, Caleb’s words sounded like he was blaming Caroline, but he was actually defending her.
He probably didn’t even realize it himself.
Michelle gritted her teeth, lost in thought.
I can’t let them have any more contact. I have to get Caroline out of Caleb’s life for good.
With that in mind, Michelle quickly slipped into character,
gently biting her lip as she said, “I… I didn’t mean Caroline is a bad person or anything.”
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Caleb, already drained, checked the time and said, “Help me look after Dominic. I’ll have someone pick him up tonight.”
With that, he turned and left.
When he passed by the nurses‘ station, something compelled him to stop.
After standing there for a few seconds, he walked over and pulled out a business card. “Is there a patient named Caroline
Warren?”
“Give me a second, Mr. Martin,” the nurse replied politely.
A moment later, she said, “She’s here, second floor. She came in through the ER.”
Caleb frowned. “What happened to her?”
“She was brought in after a fainting episode and went into shock. You’ll have to ask the doctor for more details. Would you like me to make a call and find out for you?” the nurse offered sincerely.
Caleb’s face stayed blank as he replied, “No need.”
As he turned to leave, he sent a message to Edwin.
***
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After finishing her IV drip, Caroline went home.
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William dropped her off and handed her the invitation. “The bug’s been fixed. Just get some rest, alright? I’ll see you in a few days.”
She nodded. “Thanks.”
After sending William off, Caroline still felt uneasy.
She registered a new personal account, went through every feature in the game herself to make sure it had really been fixed.
Then she logged out with peace of mind.
Suddenly, her chest tightened again with a dull ache.
She pressed her fingers to her brow and collapsed onto the sofa.
Just as she was about to rest, the doorbell rang.
Assuming it was William, she got up to answer it.
“What, you forgot something?” she asked.
“Uh… Hello, Ms. Warren.” Edwin hesitated for a second on how to address her. Realizing she’d mistaken him for someone else, he didn’t correct her either. “I brought some supplements for
you.”
