Beatrice waved them off. “You all should go back. Don’t stand around here. Marcus and Molly will take care of me. I’m fine, really.”
Beatrice wanted them to go and enjoy their time together, not wasting it here. She didn’t want to be the reason they missed out on their own romantic moments.
After they left, Molly followed them out and quietly informed them, “Beatrice’s liver isn’t in great shape. She may need treatment soon.”
Sebastian sighed deeply. He knew Beatrice had been upset by Freya for a long time, and maybe all that stress had caused damage to her liver over time.
“Then we should arrange the treatment as soon as possible. Even minor health issues shouldn’t be delayed,” Caitlin said with a serious tone.
“Yes, I’ve already spoken with the doctor. We’ll start tomorrow. You two should head back now.”
Caitlin saw them off, and Xavi was waiting outside with the RV. After helping Sebastian into the car, Xavi was about to get in himself when Caitlin stopped him. She didn’t join them.
Sebastian noticed and asked, “Why aren’t you coming with us?”
“I’m not going back just yet. You head home first. I’m going to the airport,” Caitlin explained, closing the door behind her as the driver started the engine.
As the RV drove off, Sebastian frowned deeply. He could tell Caitlin was staying behind to meet Simon.
A few minutes into the ride, Sebastian ordered, “Stop the car! Quickly!”
“What’s wrong, Mr. Vanderbilt?”
“Xavi, follow her. See what she’s up to,” Sebastian instructed, his voice laced with a certain tension.
Xavi understood that by “her,” Sebastian meant Caitlin. He quickly got out of the car, just as a white sedan pulled out of the hospital, and Caitlin was in the passenger seat.
“Mr. Vanderbilt, Caitlin’s in a white car and leaving with Simon!” Xavi reported.
“Follow them!” Sebastian barked, and Xavi immediately signaled the driver to tail the white car.
They tracked the car until it reached the airport. The sky had already begun to darken. Xavi reported, “Mr. Vanderbilt, the car is parked outside the airport. I saw Caitlin and Simon walking toward the airport exit.”
They had really come to the airport?
Sebastian thought to himself. Maybe they would head to a hotel afterward. “Keep waiting!” he ordered.
Caitlin and Simon were now at the airport exit. Simon held a handmade sign, and the two chatted while waiting. About half an hour later, Caitlin took off her sunglasses and looked toward the exit.
People were almost done exiting, but she didn’t see Wendy. As she continued to scan the crowd, a familiar voice called out, “Simon!”
Both Caitlin and Simon turned, and they saw a chubby girl, rolling a pink suitcase toward them, laughing happily.
Simon knew his sister was a little on the heavier side, but after not seeing her for a while, she seemed to have gained even more weight.
Caitlin was stunned. She couldn’t recognize the girl at all. The Wendy she remembered was slim and svelte, but now… Was this really her? Had she gained so much weight in just a few years?
“Simon! You didn’t even acknowledge me! You didn’t see me waving? How rude!” Wendy said, playfully punching Simon in the shoulder. Then she noticed Caitlin standing beside him and asked, “Hey, is this beauty my future sister-in-law?”
“Uh…” Simon didn’t have a chance to explain before Caitlin spoke up.
“Wendy, don’t you recognize me?” Caitlin asked.
“You are…?” Wendy stared at her, a confused look on her face.
Simon laughed. “You don’t even recognize your best friend, Caitlin?”
“Caitlin? Caitlin? Is that you?” Wendy’s eyes widened in shock. She jumped up so quickly that the floor almost shook. When she saw Caitlin clearly, she was beside herself with excitement.
“Oh my God! Is this really you? How did you get so beautiful? I thought you were dead!” Wendy cried, grabbing Caitlin’s hand and looking at her in awe. Finally, she pulled Caitlin into a tight hug. “I can’t believe it! You’re alive! I thought you were gone… I thought you’d died in that fire…”
Wendy sobbed as she spoke. Five years ago, when the fire broke out, she had assumed Caitlin had perished in the flames. She had mourned for so long, never expecting to see her again, let alone find her looking so beautiful.
Caitlin’s eyes welled up with tears as well. She hugged Wendy tightly. “I’m alive, Wendy. I’m so happy to see you again…”
The two women clung to each other, crying and laughing with joy. Simon, standing off to the side, was deeply moved by the reunion.
When they had composed themselves a little, Simon finally spoke, “Okay, let’s head back now. We’ll catch up properly later.”
“Yeah,” Caitlin agreed.
The three of them left the airport. Simon drove while Caitlin and Wendy sat in the backseat, talking non-stop. The years apart had left them with so much to share.
As they chatted, Wendy explained, “The main reason I gained so much weight is because of you, Caitlin.”
“Me? How’s that possible?” Caitlin asked, puzzled.
Wendy chuckled. “Well, when you disappeared, I thought life was unpredictable. So, I figured I might as well enjoy myself and eat whatever I wanted. And now, look at me.”
“I’m so sorry, Wendy…” Caitlin said, feeling guilty. She had stayed abroad for so long and hadn’t reached out. She never realized how much her absence had worried her friend.
Wendy laughed. “It’s fine! Actually, it’s just because I have a natural tendency to gain weight. I gain weight just by drinking cold water.”
Just as they were talking, Xavi, who had been trailing them in the RV, called in.
“They picked up a chubby girl and left together. Do you want us to keep following them, Mr. Vanderbilt?”
“Do you even need to ask?” Sebastian growled, his face darkening as he thought about Caitlin and Simon together. His mind was a whirlwind of jealousy and confusion.
Xavi quickly instructed the driver to follow them.
Meanwhile, Simon was treating his sister to dinner and also wanted to take Caitlin out to eat. He took them to a popular Chinese restaurant. As they entered, the RV parked outside, keeping watch.
Inside, Xavi cautiously asked, “Mr. Vanderbilt, would you like to go inside for dinner?”
“No,” Sebastian answered sharply. He wasn’t in the mood to eat. His mind was consumed with the image of Caitlin and Simon together. The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
Once inside, the group took their seats. Wendy said, “Bro, order the food. Caitlin and I are going to the bathroom.”
Wendy grabbed Caitlin’s arm and they walked out of the room. But as Caitlin casually glanced around, she spotted an unexpected guest in the restaurant.
Seeing the person, Caitlin’s eyes narrowed. There was a flash of coldness in her gaze.
What a small world!