Chapter 14

Patience's POV

Since I've resigned and plan to cut all ties with Kelsey, joining Yvette's company might be a great way to reclaim my professional life.

"I'll think about it," I said.

"Great!" Yvette beamed. "Considering it already means there's a good chance!"

At that moment, my phone rang with an unknown number.

I answered to Hattie's demanding voice, "Patience, if you're not dead, get over here now! Did you forget you were supposed to accompany my mom to her hospital follow-up today? What, making us wait is your idea of fun?"

"I'm busy. If your mom isn't feeling well, you and Kelsey can take her," I replied coldly, hanging up before Hattie could throw a tantrum.

I promptly blocked her number.

For three years of mating, I'd been the one to take Madison to the hospital for every minor ailment, running errands, making appointments...

Yet all my efforts were taken for granted, treated as if they were my own duty, met with not a shred of gratitude.

Today was Madison's eye follow-up—a task that would usually fall to me.

"Who was that?" Yvette casually asked.

"Kelsey's sister. Ignore her," I said, taking a sip of water to wash down the lingering irritation.

But half an hour later, Kelsey called.

His tone was commanding, "Patience, I want you at the hospital now. My mom is waiting for her follow-up. If anything happens to her, I won't forgive you!"

I frowned but decided to go.

Until our divorce was final, it was better not to create unnecessary trouble.

At the hospital, Hattie stormed over, accusing me, "Did you block me? I called a dozen times and got no answer! This was on purpose!"

"I did block you," I admitted calmly.

"How dare you!" Hattie fumed, her face red with rage.

"Why shouldn't I?" I raised an eyebrow, my voice level but edged with steel. "Are you someone important? Am I supposed to be on standby for your calls 24/7?"

Hattie was left speechless.

Kelsey stepped in, his brow furrowed. "Your issues with me are one thing, but you shouldn't use Madison's health as a bargaining chip."

"Am I?" I found it absurd.

He always overlooked his family's faults and focused on mine.

"Every time before, you were the one taking my mom to her appointments. Suddenly backing out and leaving her waiting—this isn't putting her in a tough spot?" Kelsey's voice brimmed with displeasure, as if I'd committed a grave offense.

"That I was the one taking her before—does that ring a bell?"

My voice turned cold. "Your mom raised you and Hattie, not me. The duty to accompany her lies with you two! My help was never an obligation."

"Fine, even if you're unwilling to help now, why couldn't my mom get an appointment?"

Kelsey pressed, suspicion lacing his words. "Did you sabotage it?"

"Dr. Harvey is a senior physician. With his age and limited energy, he only sees a few patients a week, and appointments need to be booked weeks or even months in advance. It's not as simple as just getting one," I explained patiently—it was a long-standing rule.

"How did you manage to secure appointments before then?" Kelsey probed, clearly skeptical.

"What do you think?" I countered, unwilling to elaborate.

He probably assumed I snatched up the slots, but in reality, Dr. Harvey, aware of my parents' sacrifices, had kindly reserved spots for me.

I had no intention of explaining this to him.

"Anyway, your mom's surgery is done and her recovery is going well. If we can't get Dr. Harvey, seeing another doctor in the department is just as good—they're all professionals," I said.

At this, Madison reacted like a dog whose tail had been stepped on. She lunged at me, screaming, "You want me to see some ordinary doctor? You're trying to blind me! I'll only see Dr. Harvey!"

She raised her hand to slap me.

I sidestepped, avoiding the strike, but she kept coming.

The commotion outside the clinic drew a crowd. Just then, Dr. Harvey emerged from his office.

"What's going on here… Oh, Patience?" Dr. Harvey paused, seeing me, then approached.

"Dr. Harvey..." I began, but Madison's shrill voice cut me off.

"Dr. Harvey! Thank goodness you're here!" Madison instantly put on a wronged expression, pointing at me and accusing, "This woman has a heart of stone! She's trying to send me to some ordinary doctor for my eyes! I only trust you! Thankfully, once my son divorces her, I'll never have to suffer her again!"