Cristelle booked a ticket right after the call. She went to the hospital and apologized to Jasper, “I’m so sorry, Jasper. But my daughter is sick. I need to go back right now.”
Jasper blinked, “But we don’t have much left to build our studio. Could you stay until this evening?”
“I’m sorry. But I can’t. I’ve never been away for so long. Besides, she’s sick now. She must feel terrible. I’ve booked a flight ticket, and I’ll be leaving soon. I guess you’re okay now, aren’t you?”
Jasper could only nod, “I’ve recovered. Just go if Candace’s condition is serious. I’ll go look for you when I’m discharged.”
“Deal,” Cristelle grabbed her purse and stood up, “See you around.”
Jasper hated this, but he could only smile, “See you.”
The smile on Jasper’s face was completely gone when Cristelle got out of the door.
Daughter? Sick?
Was Bradley also using this sort of means on purpose? He grabbed his phone and called his assistant, “I need to leave the hospital right now. I need to go back.”
****
Cristelle called a taxi and went to the hospital directly after she arrived at the airport.
“Candace!” Cristelle pushed open the door of Candace’s ward. But she somehow ran into Linford’s arms directly. Linford faltered for a second and held her tightly in his arms again after realizing it was Cristelle.
Cristelle pulled away and went to bed.
Candace jumped off her bed and threw herself in Cristelle’s arms immediately. The girl hooked her arms around Cristelle’s neck, face damp with tears as she pressed her cheek against Cristelle’s chest.
She missed Mommy so much.
“Stop crying, honey, Mommy’s back. Stop crying.” Cristelle held the girl on her lap as she sat on the couch, “How did you get sick, baby?”
Candace shook her head. She didn’t want her Mom to know about how badly Cindy treated her. It would make her so sad.
Cristelle frowned and looked at Linford. She didn’t mean to blame Linford for anything, but Linford still thought it was his own fault, “She’s probably too tired from all those lessons. I’ve called a day off for her today.”
A smile showed up on Candace’s face when she heard she didn’t need to do dance class today.
Linford brought them to the nearby restaurant to have lunch. Candace didn’t have breakfast this morning. Now, having both her Mom and Dad sitting beside her, her appetite suddenly recovered.
The little girl was clearly gonna overeat again. Linford saw the sign and stopped her from eating the second plate of dessert. Candace turned to look at Cristelle, pouting,
Cristelle sighed, “Honey, you can’t eat more. Or you’ll be sick again.”
Candace nodded sadly and started to poke at the plate of veggies near her.
Linford sent them back after the meal. When they walked across the hall, Candace suddenly saw Drew sitting by a table near the window. A beautiful woman was sitting across from him. Candace pulled at Cristelle’s hand, pointing in their direction. Cristelle cast a look and walked over, noticing the woman sitting across from Drew was actually Cindy.
“Are you guys…”
Having a date?
“Miss Friesley.” Cindy stood up from her chair and nodded at Cristelle.
Cristelle felt a bit awkward, “Hello, Cindy. I’m just surprised to see you guys here. Sorry if I interrupted you both. Please continue.”
Drew was also a bit surprised, “You guys know each other?”
“Well, Cindy is Candace’s dance teacher,” Cristelle responded.
Cindy crouched down before Candace, touching her cheek a bit, “I heard you got sick, honey. Are you feeling better now?”
Candace nodded, looking scared. She held onto Cristelle’s hand even tighter, hiding behind her.
Everyone noticed the fear in the little girl’s eyes.
“Let’s go,” Linford carried Candace in his arms and walked away. Cristelle followed.
****
When they finally went back to the building, Candace had fallen asleep. Linford held her all the way to her bedroom, leaving the room quietly after putting the girl in bed.
Cristelle poured herself a glass of water, “Is Cindy too strict with our little girl? Candace seemed a bit scared when she was around her.”
That was the first thing she said after getting in the door.
“I’ve sent her to Drew. He will see if she has any problem,” Linford poured himself a glass of water as well.
Cristelle was a bit confused, “But Drew is a therapist. Are you saying that Cindy has any mental issues?”
“It’s just a guess. Candace adored her at the beginning. She just suddenly started to be scared of her a couple of days ago,” Linford explained.
Cristelle nodded.
The room fell into an awkward silence.
“I need to…”
“The company actually…”
They began to talk almost at the same time, both trying to find an excuse to leave.
Cristelle smiled, “I need to go to take a nap with Candace. Feel free to go if you’re busy.”
Linford raised up from the chair, “Okay.”
The look on his face was pretty cold.
Cristelle locked the door and went to the bedroom, not seeming to care about his attitude.
****
Linford’s head was a mess as he drove back. The veins on his hands popped as he held tightly onto the steering wheel.
This was probably the best way. He told himself. If this was what she wanted.
****
Cristelle slept off the whole afternoon. When she woke up, she found Candace in the kitchen, standing on a stool and eating cold pizza.
Cristelle rubbed her eyes, smiling, “Are you hungry, honey?”
Candace nodded. She was starving.
Cristelle cast a look at the time. It was almost 7. It’s time to cook.
“Honey, stop eating cold pizza. Go watch TV. Mommy’s gonna cook you something warm, okay?” Cristelle cooed.
Candace nodded and jumped off the stool, walking to the living room.
When the dinner was cooked, Linford pushed the door and walked.
Candace’s eyes lit up, jumping off her chair and pulling at Linford’s hand.
“I’ve eaten, sweetheart,” Linford squeezed her hand gently, “Pop just asked if you’re gonna go back to see him. He misses you.”
Candace nodded and shook her head at the same time. She wanted to see Pop as well, but Cindy was too scared. She didn’t want to learn dance from her anymore.