Chapter 223



“Let’s head to the main office. We have the morning meeting to attend now,” Turner said, rising from his chair.

Kylee followed him silently.

During the meeting, Turner announced Kylee’s decision to remain at the Grand Plains General Hospital. No one seemed surprised. They all understood the circumstances well enough.

Once the meeting adjourned, everyone dispersed to begin their rounds.

After completing hers, Belinda returned to her office and sat at her desk, engrossed in a research article on her computer. Just then, her phone rang, interrupting her focus.

She glanced at the caller ID, her expression briefly shifting. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered the call.

“Belinda, do you have a minute now? I’m in the garden of your hospital. Could you come down if you’re free?” The call was from Holley.

Belinda paused for a moment, then replied softly, “Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

She hung up, got up from her seat, and made her way to the garden.

When she arrived, she spotted Holley waiting beneath a tree.

“Mom,” Belinda said as she approached.

“Belinda,” Holley began, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation, “didn’t you see the message I sent you yesterday?”

“I saw it,” Belinda admitted, “but I was busy and didn’t have time to reply.”

Belinda’s gaze flickered briefly. “Are you here to talk to me about Kylee?”

Holley sighed. “I am. Can you explain why you broke your promise?”

Belinda remained remarkably composed as she listened to Holley’s words. Her voice, calm and measured, carried a quiet strength. “Mom, I didn’t break my promise. What I agreed to back then was to let Kylee have her way. I never promised I would let her win.”

A faint smile curved her lips as she continued, “When she lost the competition and was on the verge of being expelled from the Grand Plains General Hospital, I stepped in and offered her another option. Now, she’s staying at the hospital just as she wished. Isn’t that because I gave her the chance?”

Holley’s words caught in her throat. She wasn’t sure whether to accuse Belinda of clever wordplay or of breaking her promise outright. Maybe it was her own fault for assuming Belinda would let Kylee win. She had believed that Kylee would surely win after that conversation with Belinda. But reality had proved otherwise.

Belinda studied her mother’s conflicted expression. “Mom,” she asked softly, “are you angry with me?”

Holley looked up, her gaze meeting Belinda’s. A long silence stretched between them before she finally spoke. “I’m not angry. I’m just afraid. Afraid that Carola might blame you for all of this.”

Belinda’s tone was steady, her expression calm. “I don’t care if others blame me. As long as my conscience is clear, that’s all that matters.”

Holley sighed, her shoulders sagging as she let out a soft breath. She knew there was no point in pressing the issue further. Then, as if remembering something, she let out a small chuckle. “Well, what’s done is done.”

“You’ve won the competition, and there’s no use dwelling on the past. I think I should congratulate you, Belinda. You did well.”

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