Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Penelope looked at Leanne apologetically and said, “Dr. Castillo, I’m so sorry. Selina has caused you trouble again.”

“It’s not on her,” Leanne replied. “I’ve got to head to work. See you later.”

After Leanne left, Penelope turned and glared at Selina. “What did I tell you about running your mouth? See the mess you’ve made?”

Selina retorted defiantly, “It’s not my fault they were already on the rocks.”

“That’s their private business, not yours to gossip about,” Penelope chided. “You should thank Dr. Castillo. She saved your eyesight. Watch your mouth. I don’t want to hear another word about her being the Richardson family’s adopted daughter!”

“Why not? It’s not like it’s some big secret. Everyone knows.”

“You kids don’t understand the whole story.”

“What story?”

Penelope didn’t want to spill the beans, but Selina’s persistent curiosity got the better of her, and thinking it might teach her a lesson in respect, she relented.

“Dr. Castillo’s father was a big shot at Vector Vista Bank. Their family got caught up in a nasty kidnapping linked to some corporate warfare within the bank. Her parents got killed, and she barely escaped with her life.”

“Dr. Castillo’s father was a loyal man, never betrayed the Richardson family even to save his life. If it weren’t for that, Leanne wouldn’t have ended up orphaned so young, bouncing around foster homes for years.”

Selina hadn’t realized the depth of Leanne’s past and had envied her supposed good fortune. It seemed the stability of Vector Vista Bank came at the cost of her folk’s lives, and the Richardson family owed Leanne more than gratitude.

Thinking back on her earlier words, Selina felt shame. “If you had clued me in earlier, I wouldn’t have said all those mean words.”

“Now you blame me?” Penelope rapped her on the head. “Next time you see Dr. Castillo, you better apologize!”

“No! That’s so embarrassing.”

“You’re worried about embarrassment now? When has gossiping ever stopped you?”

Selina covered her ears and buried herself in the blankets, accidentally tugging at her wound and letting out a painful yelp.

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Later that afternoon, Leanne had surgery scheduled. When she returned to her office, a nurse approached with a weary expression. “D Castillo, the patient in bed 23 is insisting there’s a scalpel in her eye and demanding to see you.”

“Got it.” Leanne handed post-op instructions to Amy and grabbed some medication for the

patient.

Penelope was out when Leanne arrived, leaving Selina sprawled on the bed, peering at

her with her good eye.

Unaffected by the morning’s dispute, Leanne treated Selina like any other patient. “What’s wrong with your eye?”

“It’s killing me,” whined Selina. “Did you leave a scalpel in there as payback?”

“Your head isn’t big enough for a scalpel,” Leanne said dryly. “Pain after the anesthesia

wears off is normal.”

After examining Selina’s bandaged right eye and finding no issue, she commanded, “Look up.”

Selina obediently tilted her head back.

Leanne leaned over, her movements skilled and gentle, and applied a drop of anesthetic to Selina’s eye.

Up close, Selina admired Leanne’s focused expression. “Dr. Castillo, you’re pretty.”

“Well, thanks,” Leanne’s response was casual. After administering the drops, she turned to

leave.

“Hey!” Selina called out.

Leanne looked back. “Something else?”

Selina mumbled something barely audible.

“I didn’t catch it. What did you say?”

“I said I’m sorry!” Selina blurted out, abandoning her awkward demeanor. Thought sheepish, her apology was sincere.

“About this morning, I’m sorry, I didn’t know your parents died because of the Richardson family. I spoke without thinking. Don’t take it to heart.”

Leanne paused and then said, “Got it.”

Selina waited for a response. “That’s it? Aren’t you supposed to say it’s okay and that you forgive me?”

Leanne met her gaze. “Because it’s not okay, and I can’t forgive you.”

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Chapter 29

Who didn’t have pride?

Did she choose to be an orphan? Did she enjoy living at the mercy of others?

Did she want to be hurt by those she loved, or was she born to relish humiliation?

Before she turned seven, Leanne had a happy childhood. Her father was a million-dollar banker, and her mother was a deputy professor at Stonebridge University.

She grew up with piano lessons, art classes, and world travel and was fluent in four languages by six.

Though not as wealthy as the Richardson family, her family was affluent.

Her life’s trajectory shifted with that single kidnapping.

Leanne had an aunt from her mother’s side who abandoned her soon after her parents died, leaving her in an orphanage where bullying was rampant.

Once a pampered child, she became an easy target due to the trauma of witnessing her parents murdered, becoming mute and withdrawn. And soon, she was bullied by a bad kid.

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