Chapter 24
Daisy focused on eating, while Mark and Layla took turns helping her with food.
The two adults chatted casually about work between bites when Layla’s phone suddenly rang.
She answered it without hesitation. “Ms. Lynn, are you back from your trip?”
Sylvia’s voice came through, sharp and full of anger. “Layla, what the hell is Seth trying to pull? That bastard nearly got you and Daisy killed back then, and now he has the nerve to dig into what happened?”
Layla frowned slightly. She asked, “Did he come looking for you?”
Sylvia snapped, her voice dripping with anger, “No, he sent Daniel to do it! He asked me how you hurt your hand back then. I told that idiot off. Where the hell was Seth when it mattered?
It’s too late to find out the truth now.”
Layla chuckled softly. “You didn’t hit Daniel, did you?”
“Oh, I wanted to, but that bastard ran off. He and Seth are two peas in a pod, neither one’s any good,” Sylvia said, her voice laced with frustration.
Layla teased, “He’s a detective squad captain. If he didn’t let you off easy, do you really think you could get the better of him?”
Sylvia huffed. “If he dared fight back, I’d leak his nudes and make sure he couldn’t keep his job.
Layla couldn’t hold back her laughter.
“Alright. Don’t ruin your reputation as a lawyer because of me. Daisy’s been asking for you. Come over for dinner tomorrow,” Layla said, her tone light and teasing.
Sylvia replied with a sigh, “I miss her too! I brought back so many snacks for her. But I need a few days. My stomach’s acting up. I’ve been on an IV drip thanks to the junk I ate abroad.”
Layla’s laughter faded and was replaced by concern as she asked, “Which hospital? I’ll head
over now.”
“No need. I can handle this myself. You’ve got Daisy to look after,” Sylvia insisted, her voice. firm but tinged with gratitude.
“Mark’s here. I’ll feel better if I check on you,” Layla replied resolutely, her concern.
unmistakable.
Before Sylvia could argue, Layla hung up. She quickly changed clothes, told Mark and Daisy where she was going, and headed out.
Layla and Sylvia had grown up together in the same orphanage, inseparable since childhood.
They even worked at Parker Group after college.
When Layla’s marriage to Seth ended, Sylvia couldn’t bear to see her best friend treated so cruelly. She stormed into the Parker residence, causing a scene, then quit her job in protest.
Sylvia had witnessed everything, from Layla’s so–called “happy marriage“, the sacrifices she had made for Seth, and the unbearable pain of being discarded by him.
That was why Sylvia had ended her three–year relationship with Daniel without hesitation.
Her reasoning was simple. She couldn’t believe Daniel hadn’t known that Seth had used Layla as a scapegoat.
To Sylvia, siding with Seth meant betraying Layla, and she refused to forgive that.
The bond of Layla and Sylvia was built on a childhood promise. They promised to share joy and hardship together.
As these memories surfaced, a bitter smile tugged at Layla’s lips.
In her darkest moments, it was people like Sylvia and Mark who kept her grounded. Without them, she might have lost faith in the world entirely.
The car soon arrived at the hospital. Stepping out of the elevator, Layla immediately spotted a familiar figure.
Clarissa stood near a ward, her wrist wrapped in gauze, talking to a doctor. When she noticed Layla, a smug smile spread across her face.
She walked up to Layla, raising her bandaged wrist in mock triumph. “Layla, with just a little trickery, Seth forgave me for hurting you. He even came rushing over to donate blood for me.”
She sneered and continued, “Just like four years ago. He didn’t hesitate to abandon you and give me the marriage I wanted. Between us, Seth will always choose me and hurt you. Isn’t it obvious by now?“
