Just then, another agonized wail echoed from upstairs.
The sound was so jarring that Elton shuddered, his knife and fork clattering onto his plate.
Perhaps Darrell’s harsh cries finally managed to stir some of Cordelia’s motherly instinct.
She pointed a dismissive hand at the roasted turkey on the table as if performing an act of charity. “Take this up to him,” she said. “The first time I saw him, his hair color reminded me of this.”
After a pause, she added, “Oh, and one more thing.
“Tell him we’ve asked for a one–week suspension for him. He will not be leaving his room for the next seven days.”
Norma brought the turkey upstairs and delivered the devastating news, her eyes brimming with profound sympathy.
Darrell froze, utterly stunned.
After a long silence, he finally found his voice. “Norma, tell me the truth.
“Am I really my parents‘ biological son? Why am I feeling like the sworn enemy’s son they were forced to adopt?”
What Cordelia didn’t notice was Declan’s silent observation of the entire scene.
He thought, “Cordelia is so playful and mischievous right now, no different from her twenty–year–old self.
“How’s this even possible?
“Could it be that… she’s lost years of her memories?
“That’s not a good sign. No, I must stop worrying myself sick without facts.
“I don’t even know her exact condition. Does she need to be hospitalized for treatment?
“How can I find out? She’d never agree to a check–up.”
He stared at the steak on his plate for a long moment before saying slowly, “It’s time for the family’s check–up tomor- row. Go to bed early. The chauffeur will take us to the hospital first thing in the morning.”
Cordelia was stunned. “The family’s check–up?”
As her gaze fell upon Conrad and Elton, she nodded in agreement.
She was eager to learn what was wrong with them and how serious their conditions were. This was the perfect oppor- tunity to find out.
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
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09:34
Chapter 12
Elton was puzzled.
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His gaze swept from Declan to Cordelia as he wanted to ask how come he’d never heard of this check–up before.
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But he couldn’t speak. As for Conrad, he was utterly absorbed in his own world, sitting in his chair and pretending to be a spinning top.
Elton couldn’t ask anyone.
Declan enjoyed the rest of the dinner with his family. Afterwards, he immediately texted his assistant to schedule the appointments for the following day.
Early the next morning, Darrell was still locked in his room.
The rest of the family drove to the hospital.
Upon arriving and reviewing her examination form, Cordelia stared at it thoughtfully.
“Declan, you and the boys are scheduled for blood tests and blood pressure checks. But why is mine a head CT and a neurological exam?
“Do you think there’s something wrong with my brain?”
After a moment of tense silence, Declan lied through his teeth, “We’re all going through the same battery of tests. There’s just a long wait for the blood lab, so we’ll split up to save time.”
Cordelia didn’t doubt his explanation at all.
She walked into the examination room.
Half an hour later, the doctor summoned Declan to his consultation office.
“Doctor, how is my wife?” Declan asked.
The doctor removed his glasses, wiped off the water stains, and slowly put them back on.
With the scan films in hand, he said, “I’m afraid Mrs. Beasley’s condition is not positive. She was involved in a severe car accident. Multiple trucks rear–ended each other and nearly crushed her car, which caused it to roll over.
“The injuries she sustained were critical. She suffered a traumatic brain hemorrhage, and the bleeding put great pres- sure on her nerves, resulting in a severe concussion.
“At the time, we strongly advised immediate hospitalization, but she refused. Against medical advice, she removed her IV and discharged herself. It seemed she had some urgent matter to attend to.
“Because of that, the bleeding never stopped properly. She needs medicine to control it now, or the constant pressure could lead to blindness.”
Declan pursed his lips into a thin line, obviously displeased.
Before the car accident, he and Cordelia had gotten into a huge fight, and he had overheard that she wanted to go abroad to see someone.
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09:34
Chapter 12
There was only one person whom she still cared about after so many years.
But it had never even crossed his mind that she’d actually seek a divorce for the sake of that person.
He couldn’t name the emotion, only a profound distress that clutched at his heart like an invisible fist.
After a moment of silence, he asked, “Is there any way to alleviate her symptoms other than hospitalization?”
Given her current state, she’d probably raise hell at the mention of hospitalization.
The doctor said, “Medication is required to control the bleeding in her brain.
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