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Her voice held a pleading tone, but Winnie remained unmoved. “Don’t bother.”
“Just one day, then. One day.”
Winnie still insisted: “Really, I’m fine. You should go.”
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Bianca felt waves of chill at those words, yet she stayed for Winnie’s sake.
Even if Winnie disliked her, ignored her, she’d remain by her daughter’s side.
She’d reconsider after the critical first two days.
Those initial days were vital–any negligence could cost Winnie her life.
Bianca had witnessed children lost to febrile seizures firsthand.
Though divorcing Blair, Winnie was her only child–the one she’d risked her life to bring into this world. How could she not love her?
So stay she must.
Winnie skipped breakfast. Seeing Bianca wouldn’t leave, she stayed silent.
As noon approached, Bianca considered calling Blair to stay with Winnie while she prepared lunch.
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But before she could make the call, the door was pushed open.
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Bianca turned to see Blair and Diane entering, Diane carrying a small lunchbox.
Spotting them, Winnie mustered a bright smile despite her fatigue. “Dad! Aunt Diane! You’re here!”
Blair and Diane approached the bed as Bianca silently withdrew.
Retreating to the corner, her hands clenched at her sides.
The moment Diane sat bedside, Winnie threw herself into her arms. “Aunt Diane, I missed you so much! You finally came!”
I’ll Take Her to the Hospital First
Diane Huffman held Winnie Avery, tenderly rubbing her little cheek. “Aunt Diane’s sorry for making Winnie sick.”
Winnie shook her head. “No, Winnie just has weak immunity.”
Diane’s eyes reddened, voice thick with guilt. “If I’d known the hospital would make you ill, I’d never have brought you. Please don’t blame Aunt Diane, okay?”
Winnie lifted a small hand, wiping Diane’s tears while shaking her head. “Winnie doesn’t blame you. I’ll be bouncing around again in no time.”
Diane forced a smile, stroking Winnie’s face. “Such a good girl.”
Winnie clung to Diane like an octopus.
Blair Avery watched them, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “Winnie, Aunt Diane’s still recovering. You’ll make her
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uncomfortable.”
Immediately, Winnie loosened her grip.
Seeing his daughter’s downcast expression, Blair lifted a small
container. “Look! Aunt Diane went home specially to make you lunch.”
Winnie’s face lit up. “Wow! I’ve never had Aunt Diane’s cooking! Daddy, let me try!”
At Harmony Residence, Diane was often busy with work and research, so meals were usually prepared by Katelyn Leach.
Noticing Winnie’s eagerness, Diane whispered, “Don’t expect too much, sweetheart. Aunt Diane rarely cooks—it might not suit your
taste.”
Unfazed, Winnie bounced toward Blair. “Daddy, open it! Let me taste!”
Blair complied.
Inside the Insulated Food Container was fish soup. Though the broth appeared milky–white, dark specks floated on its surface.
Winnie showed no distaste. She scooped a spoonful and sipped.
The taste made her tongue tingle. Her brow instinctively furrowed.
Bianca Watts stood unnoticed in the corner, observing Blair, Winnie, and Diane.
They sat together–a picture–perfect family.
Winnie’s reaction twisted Bianca’s heart: despite the soup looking completely unappetizing, the girl politely took two large gulps.
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Setting down the spoon, Winnie beamed at Diane. “Aunt Diane, your soup’s delicious! Winnie wants more next time!”
Bianca watched it all. Her heart ached and her body felt numb.
A single bowl of mediocre soup brought Winnie such joy, yet her own efforts went utterly unseen.
Staying here made her a laughingstock.
Bianca could bear no more. Unclenching her pants seams, she turned and walked out of the ward.
Winnie glanced up just in time to see Bianca’s retreating figure.
Though this was the outcome she’d wanted, watching her mother leave left Winnie feeling oddly unsettled.
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