Chapter 3 Bad Luck
Malcolm had never coaxed a girl before and didn’t know what he had said that upset Charlotte. At her refusal, he frowned for a few seconds. and then put down the candy in silence.
After what felt like an eternity, the car came to an abrupt stop. Looking at the hospital gates outside the car, Charlotte was a bit stunned.
Malcolm was, in fact, equally surprised. He could only ask, “Now that we’re here, do you wanna go visit Danielle?”
Charlotte was a bit nervous. In fact, Danielle and she had never been close, and she had barely come here after Danielle fell sick.
Malcolm knew the sisters weren’t close, and he figured it made sense. After all, there was a big age gap, and they had different mothers.
He said tonelessly. “Danielle’s been feeling down these days. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”
His tone wasn’t commanding, leaving Charlotte enough room to make up her mind.
She kept clasping her hands together. “Danielle… has been in poor health, right?”
What answered her was a few seconds of silence. She subconsciously clenched her fists, knowing what the answer might be.
The silence was almost terrifying. After what felt like ages, he finally parted his lips.
“If only Danielle were as healthy as you.”
The fatigue and worry on his face were undisguised.
Charlotte felt he was implying, “If only one of you can be healthy. I pray it’s Danielle.”
She pursed her lips, not sure how to respond. Sitting in place while looking down, she actually felt a pang of guilt, and her eyes dimmed.
She thought. “I shouldn’t be blamed for Danielle’s poor health, right?
“But then again. I remember hearing as a child that after Marlene and Dad took me back, a fortune–teller warned them that having two daughters would bring bad luck to the Townsend family.
“But back then, my mother passed away, and I was too young to survive alone. Dad was forced to take me back.
“Has Malcolm heard about this?”
At this, she suddenly felt a dull heartache and couldn’t help but wonder if it was really her fault.
For a time, she wasn’t sure whether she should get out of the car or not. She was so timid and guilty that she didn’t even dare to tilt her head to look at Malcolm.
Sensing her silence, Malcolm realized he had said something
inappropriate. He explained, “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by saying that.”
He sounded gentle, but his voice carried a tinge of detachment.
Then he added. “Let’s go. I’m sure Danielle missed you a lot.”
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With that, he got out of the car first.
Charlotte’s heart was in turmoil, and she couldn’t calm it down no
matter what.
She followed Malcolm to the ward and stopped at the door right away.
Lying in bed. Danielle happened to see them. She blurted out. “Charlotte?”
She seemed surprised, which was probably because of the sight of Malcolm and Charlotte showing up together. Charlotte realized this. and she tried to come up with something to explain.
Just then. Malcolm stood in front of her with the coat he had taken off and said. “I ran into Charlotte on my way here, so I brought her along.”
He was tall and slender, with a lean waist and long legs, and the black shirt and suit pants he wore added a touch of seriousness to his temperament
Standing in place, he exuded the charm of a mature, composed man who had navigated the business world for years