"I am leaving." Mrs. Brooke declared. "This is madness."
"So you think it's alright for her to insult me like that?" Adalind's beautiful brow's furrowed.
"Darling… it wasn't an insult. She was describing you based on her research." Mrs. Brooke said. "The truth hurts but it should not offend us."
"Don't you dare say something like that in front of my daughter!" raged Charlotte. "If you don't want to come with us then don't! I only have two invites anyway!"
In response, Mrs. Brooke snorted. She stared at Adalind. "This is a bad— a very bad idea. If something happens while you are out there… the hospital won't be held liable as you have already signed a waiver form stating this is what you want. We don't really know what will happen, Adalind you are a mature woman. Please think about it carefully."
"Adalind sweety… listen to your mother, alright?" Charlotte held her daughter's hands. "We can't just let her think she is above us. She is looking down on you, which means she is also looking down on me. Now… this just hurts my feelings." Charlotte's eyes glistened.
"Charlotte… this is not about you! Stop talking about your feelings and think about your daughter's health. If an accident occurs, she might not be able to walk again. Only a crazy mother would tell her to attend an event just a few days after an operation." She glared at the dense woman in front of her. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Well… she can wear flats? Is that really a problem? The gown will hide it anyway. My daughter is already tall— taller than most women in this place. She does not need heels to stand out."
Mrs. Brooke let out an exasperated sigh. Talking to Charlotte was already stressing enough. Now Adalind was also leaning towards her biological mother's reasoning. "Adalind… listen to me. We don't want an accident to happen— "
"I'll be careful." Adalind interrupted her. "I think my mother is right. We can't just allow them to laugh at us."
Mrs. Brooke's eyes widened. She stared in disbelief at the mother and daughter duo. How could stupid people like this exist in the world? "If you want to retaliate then… you can do it after you are healed. I don't care what you do as long as you do it after making sure you can get out of here safely."
"Adalind… don't listen to her. I am your biological mother. I gave birth of you, I took care of you. I know what's best for you. I know what's best for the both of us."
"Charlotte… can we stop this?" Mrs. Brooke said. "For once… can you think about your daughter and not your bruised ego?"
"What do you mean? I am— "
"Alright… both of you stop." Adalind interrupted her mother. She stared at Mrs. Brooke and smiled. "I know you are concerned about me. But I am fine. I can actually walk. I am not going to wear high heeled shoes and I won't run. I promise I'll be careful. Just— Just please don't tell my dad about this?"
"I can't hide this to Robert. I'm sorry." Mrs. Brooke was raised in a family that did not tolerate dishonesty. How could she hide this from her own husband? This Adalind might have given her a headache and a lot of problems but she was truly concerned about her and even treated her like her younger sister. "He is your father and he deserves to know this."
"Why are you being so unsupportive?"
"Because it's wrong." Mrs. Brooke rolled her eyes at Charlotte's words. "Is that even a question?"
"Then please leave." Adalind said in a stern tone. "Since, you are not here for me then… please leave." Hearing her words, Charlotte instantly beamed. Pride swirled in her eyes. Finally, Adalind was able to see who is truly there for her. Lifting her chin, she gave Mrs. Brook a smug smile.
"Are you sure?" Mrs. Brooke asked. "Are you sure you won't reconsider? You know I— "
"No. I am going to the awards night. Please leave me alone." Adalind turned her head away. She always saw Eleonor as a friend, an older friend. Growing up, she thought that woman was strict but she had her own reasoning enough to convince Adalind's father.
Eleonor was the one who convinced her to pursue modelling and even paid for her modelling lessons while she was still a teenager. She is strict but Adalind could feel the woman truly cared for her. However now… she felt Eleonor was only doing those things to make her look good in everyone's eyes.
To make her the model stepmother, the model housewife. Adalind snorted inwardly. Her biological mother might be selfish and unreasonable sometimes, but at least, she can't stand it when other people are insulting her daughter.
"Alright. I hope you won't regret this." Mrs. Brooke let out a sigh. It seems logic had totally left this duo. She walked out of the hospital only to bump into another woman whom she remembered as Mrs. He. She gave a sad smile.
"Is something wrong?" Mrs. He held the fruit basket closer as she asked. "Did you have a fight with Adalind?"
Mrs. Brooke only shook her head and said nothing. She then left, leaving the confused Madam He on the door. This Mrs. He seemed too friendly with Adalind that Mrs. Brooke thought it suspicious. Maybe she was just being paranoid, she thought.
Growing up with a very eccentric grandfather and strict grandmother, Mrs. Brooke seemed to have this… ability or an instinct. The ability to sense danger and predators. This is an ability that had already saved her from grave danger for a few times now.
It was a sense, a feeling of danger that she could feel after talking to a person. It was as if she could sense the madness in someone, prompting her to avoid them. It was the same feeling she felt when she was around Lily and every time she saw this Mrs. He.
A sigh escaped her lips as she walked inside the elevator. She needed to inform her husband about this so she could already leave this ominous place.
....
Proofreader: Dragon777