Chapter 821



“You really just abandoned Verena there?”

Hearing Belinda’s words, Lucas turned sharply to face her, his expression as serious as his tone.

“Belinda, it’s not just when you’re around that I act cold toward her. From the moment she drugged me, any sympathy I had left for her vanished completely.”

His jaw tightened as he added, “I’ve said it before, she’s nothing more than a stranger to me now.”

Belinda felt the weight of his words, and she was moved.

She wouldn’t admit it aloud, but a part of her secretly savored the satisfaction of hearing him say that.

On the surface, though, she kept her composure, and her response was simple.

“I see,” she muttered, her tone unreadable.

Lucas said nothing more. He started the car and drove her back to the hospital.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

That afternoon, Belinda had just finished her hospital rounds when her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and saw Holley’s name.

Letting out a small sigh, she answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Belinda!” Holley’s cheerful voice came through.

“I’ve got a sudden craving for that cake from the bakery near your hospital. Could you grab me a slice?”

There was a pause before Holley added hesitantly, “But, uh, if you’re too busy, forget it.”

Belinda didn’t hesitate.

“Okay, I’ll get it after my shift and bring it to you tonight.”

Holley chuckled warmly.

“Thanks, my dear daughter.”

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Belinda felt a flicker of disgust at the words “my dear daughter.”

Without saying anything else, she hung up the phone.

The bakery near the hospital was famous for its cakes, a favorite not just of Holley’s but also of Kenia’s.

After her shift and a quick lunch, Belinda made her way to the bakery. The line stretched down the block by the time she arrived.

Belinda sighed, stepping toward the queue, when her attention was drawn to an elderly woman slowly approaching with the help of a cane. Instinctively, Belinda moved toward the woman, her hand reaching out to assist her.

But before she could make contact, the elderly woman suddenly collapsed to the ground with a dramatic thud.

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