Chapter 25

"Auntie, I just want to take care of Alexander..."

"You?" Eleanor scoffed, her manicured fingers tapping the hospital bed rail. "Miss Winslow, do you have a nursing license? Or perhaps a medical degree?"

Isabella's smile froze.

Eleanor adjusted her cufflinks with deliberate slowness. "The Winslows are a respectable family. How did they raise someone with such poor judgment?"

Isabella's grip tightened on her purse strap.

As a top actress, she was accustomed to being worshipped.

"Auntie, Alexander and I—"

"Enough." Eleanor raised a hand. "What you do outside these walls is none of my concern. But the Kingsley estate?" Her gaze turned razor-sharp. "You'll never set foot in it."

Isabella shot to her feet.

She glanced at Alexander lying motionless with closed eyes, as if oblivious to her humiliation.

His defense of her at Royal Gardens yesterday now seemed like a cruel joke.

She stormed out, stiletto heels striking the floor like gunshots.

Eleanor exhaled deeply.

Turning to her "sleeping" son, she pinched his ear hard. "Quite the charmer, aren't you? Last time it was bruises, now a hospital stay?"

Ethan watched Alexander's ear turn crimson but ventured, "Madam, Lord Alex was—"

"Want to be the next Mrs. Kingsley?" Eleanor's glare silenced him.

She pulled up a chair, her tone suddenly sweet. "Regrets now? When she chased you, you ignored her. This brooding act is pathetic."

Ethan edged toward the wall.

"Madam, Lord Alex has been overwhelmed with work—"

"Forgot to eat and sleep, did he?" Eleanor arched a brow. "How did my carefree nature produce such a lovesick fool?"

Ethan became one with the wallpaper.

"Ethan," Eleanor commanded, "order three commemorative plaques."

She counted on her fingers: "First one—'Obsessed With Love.' Second—'Reaping What You Sow.' Third..." She paused. "'Early Death, Early Rebirth.'"

Alexander's eyes snapped open.

"Ethan. Leave."

Any longer and his mother might invent worse epitaphs.

"Mom," he said bluntly, "she's at Serenity Heights. Bring her home."

Eleanor smirked. "I won't bully my benefactor's daughter."

"Not Royal Gardens," Alexander rasped. "The Kingsley estate. Keep an eye on her."

She crossed her arms. "Now you're concerned? Where was this urgency before?"

Alexander frowned. "At least wait until Grandfather's birthday banquet ends."

Mother and son spoke past each other, neither listening.

Eleanor suddenly tossed two booklets onto the bed.

"Read these during your convalescence."

Alexander didn't glance at them. "Not interested."

"Premium edition," Eleanor flipped one open. "Every profile is personally vetted."

She added the second booklet: "Pick someone for Evelyn too. You know her tastes."

"Mom." His voice turned glacial. "We're still together."

Eleanor gasped. "So you admit to cheating?"

After a beat, Alexander muttered, "She and Julian Ashford—"

"Only children tattle." Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Adults cut their losses."

Alexander yanked out his IV and stood.

"What are you doing?" Eleanor panicked. "Lie back down!"

Buttoning his shirt one-handed, he stated, "I'm fetching her."

"Alexander!" She grabbed his arm. "Wake up! You're broken up!"

He frowned. "Since when?"

She felt his forehead. "Did the stomach bleeding damage your brain? You gave her the ultimatum!"

The Royal Gardens staff had recounted that day in vivid detail.

Recognition finally dawned on Alexander.

His expression hardened. "She always throws tantrums. The more you indulge her, the worse she behaves."