Flawless 25

Chapter 25 

Chapter 25 

REBECCA’S POV 

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58 

55 vouchers 

Mom and I had driven up to the town just a few miles from the castle. Who knew such a vibrant, charming place existed so close? 

It had quaint little shops lining the narrow streets. 

They even had a bakery with pastel awnings. My favourite place had to be the vintage bookstore with the tall, creaky shelves. 

Mom recognized the look on my face when I saw it, so she decided to wait in the car while I spent an hour picking out the best book to buy. 

I ended up settling on one called The Witches‘ Brew. The summary seemed very enticing. When I got up to the counter, the dark–skinned woman refused to accept my money. She just told me the book was on the house. 

It was a little odd, but I didn’t complain. 

Everywhere we looked, the buildings seemed to smile at us. 

They were all painted in rose, mint, and cream. They also had flower baskets hanging from lampposts. The flowers were strange–looking but beautiful. Devon had them all over the gardens at his estate. I think one of the maids told me it was called Moon Petals. 

I inhaled the fresh scent of bread and wildflowers. I knew then I would be visiting this town on the regular. 

This place seemed picture–perfect, but the glances from the locals were impossible to ignore. Some bowed to Mom, greeting her with reverence as she passed. Others grimaced when they saw her. I even heard two women refer to her as a gold–digger, but Mom didn’t seem to care. 

Others whispered about me, saying I didn’t belong here. I could feel their every stare prick at my skin. 

The thing that shocked me the most was the way they were dressed, especially the men. 

They were barefoot, roaming the street shirtless, showing off their buff figures. 

“Oh look, Mom pointed at the building at the end of the street. 

It was a scented candle shop. Mom loved her scented candles and sages and incense. We went inside and she picked out a few items she liked. 

Again, when she went up to pay, the elderly shopkeeper refused Mom’s money, pressing a fragrant bar of soap into her hand for free along with about fifty dollars‘ worth of goods. How did they keep their business afloat if they gave everything away? 

I shrugged it off. Maybe they were grateful for our presence. Maybe they saw us as family, 

13:12 Thu, Sep 4 

Chapter 25 

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55 vouchers. 

Mom and I then went to a café filled with mismatched tables. We settled at the window seats where we could have a clear view of the outside. 

Mom ordered a cup of coffee and I ordered something exotic. 

Our orders came in less than five minutes. 

I didn’t wait. I took a bite of the coconut–rum cake. “Hmm, this is delicious!” I sang out. The moist sweetness exploded on my tongue. It was warm and comforting, exactly what I needed on this hot day. 

Then Mom groaned. 

“Argh!” she clutched her temples. My cake tumbled onto my plate. 

“Mom, are you okay?” My voice shook. 

“No…” She tried to stand but froze mid–rise. Her body rocked from side to side. “I don’t feel so…” 

Before she could finish her sentence, she collapsed to the floor. 

“Mom!” I screamed. 

“Luna!” A few customers jumped up. Panic rippled across their faces. 

An old man quickly checked for a pulse. 

“She’s breathing, but running a high fever. We need to get her to the hospital,” his voice trembled. 

“Let me call an ambulance!” I grabbed my phone, but six shirtless, muscular men swooped in. They lifted Mom as if she were as light as a doll and sprinted toward the door. 

“Where are you taking her?” I yelped. 

Two women ushered them out the door. 

I grabbed Mom’s purse and goodies, but when I got out to the street, I saw them disappearing around the bend before I could even blink. 

“How the hell did they run so fast?” I gasped. 

I rifled through Mom’s purse and found her car keys. I yelled at a woman selling apples. “Where’s the nearest hospital?” 

“It’s five miles up the road,” she answered. 

“Thanks,” I stated and jumped into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut. 

My heart hammered as my fingernails pressed into the wheel and I floored the car down the winding road. 

I didn’t see any cars pass by and there were no signs of Mom and those men. 

13:13 Thu, Sep 4 

Chapter 25 

55 vouchers 

All I felt was the pounding in my ears and the fear squeezing my throat. “Please God, let my mother be alright.” 

When I finally pulled into the hospital parking lot, my hands were shaking so badly I fumbled with the hospital door. I rushed inside and was stopped by a woman who grabbed me by the shoulders. 

“No running in the halls,” she snapped. Then she paused as her nostrils expanded a bit. “Oh. You must be the Luna’s daughter. Follow me.” 

She led me through polished corridors and down to a suite with armed guards at the door. The six shirtless men were standing quietly, waiting for some good news. 

I was really starting to think now that Devon might be a mafia boss. It made perfect sense. 

A nurse came up to me. 

“You must be Becca. Come, your mother is asking for you.” 

1 gulped as she led me inside the room. 

Mom was pale as she lay in a hospital bed. 

A doctor was drawing her blood, while he explained everything in serene tones. 

“Mrs. Clawbelle, we’ll need to run a few tests to determine why you fainted. I’ll get these samples to the lab and return with the results in about thirty minutes. In the meantime, stay calm and relax.” 

He didn’t even look at me as he exited the room. 

I rushed to her side. “Mom! Are you okay? You scared me.” I hugged her, and she hugged me back. 

“Oh, Becca… my beautiful baby girl. I’m so sorry,” she rubbed my head. “You’re too young for all of this.” 

My stomach dropped. I shifted so I could look at her face. Her eyes were soaked in tears. 

“Mom, what’s going on? What are you not telling me?” 

Tears caught in her throat. “I–I’ve been ill for a while. I thought it was just stress. But…” She swallowed. I’ve been having the same symptoms your grandmother had when she first found out she had cancer.” 

“No! Don’t say that, I gulped. 

“I think I have cancer, Becca” 

I froze. The words echoed in the room. 

“But… but you’re only thirty–three.” 

Mom reached for my hand. “I wanted to tell you that I have been feeling sick, but I wanted to wait until after your birthday. I didn’t want to ruin your celebration. I thought I could handle it, pretend everything was okay… 

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I squeezed her hand back. “Mom, you shouldn’t be alone in this.” Panic flooded me, but I had to stay strong. for her. “You should have told me sooner. I’m always here for you. And if the doctor comes back and it’s in fact cancer, then we’ll figure this out together.” I kissed her palm. 

“I know, honey. I just wish things were different.” 

“Devon has money. I’m sure he’ll do everything in his power to make you better.” 

“I hope so,” she said softly. 

I kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back in a minute.” 

I stepped into the corridor and grabbed my phone. My hands were trembling as I quickly dialed Drew. The line rang once… twice… but he didn’t pick up. It went straight to voicemail. 

My heart sank, but I refused to crumble. I decided to leave a message. 

“Hey, it’s me,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Mom’s in the hospital. I… I think she’s sick. Drew, I need you. Please come home.” 

AD