After His Sweetheart Moved In, He Came Home Every Night-Chapter 18: Her Miserable End

Alice York hadn’t expected Mindy Vaughn could be so sensitive.

She really was hiding a man in her room.

Fortunately, she had anticipated Mindy might press the issue, so she kept her composure and stepped aside to let her pass. "Mom, I’m finding you getting more and more unreasonable these days. To think you’d say something like I’m hiding a man in my apartment."

Mindy opened her mouth. "But I clearly heard..."

"Heard what? I’m stepping aside for you. If you’re so suspicious, why don’t you go in and see for yourself? Make sure you check under the bed, in the closet, and the bathroom. Otherwise, I can’t stand being accused like this," Alice said, turning her back to wipe away tears.

The tears were, of course, forced, but she looked genuinely heartbroken.

Mindy knew she was being overly suspicious. She had been monitoring her daughter’s private life, so she knew better than anyone what it entailed—and whether or not she had a boyfriend.

She really shouldn’t have said something like that.

’I must have lost my head just now.’ She thought.

"That’s not what I meant, Alice. Don’t be angry with me." Feeling a little guilty, Mindy stepped forward and tugged on Alice’s hand as a peace offering.

Alice pulled her hand away. "I don’t care what other people say, but you’re my mother. How could you say that to me?"

"It’s my fault. I admit I was wrong and apologize, okay?" Mindy said with a placating smile.

"Just don’t say anything like that again." Seeing her opening, Alice let the matter drop. She turned, took a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet, and placed them at Mindy’s feet. "My stomach was just feeling a little upset, that’s why I took so long earlier."

Mindy’s gaze shifted downward, and she saw Alice’s hand gently rubbing her abdomen. "How is it now? Is it any better?"

Alice shook her head. "Not great. The pain comes and goes."

Mindy frowned. "Did you have it thoroughly checked? Don’t tell me you’re letting a serious condition go untreated."

"I have it under control." Alice turned and went to the counter. "Would you like tea or coffee?"

"Neither. I’m only staying for a little while, so don’t go to any trouble. Come sit with me." Without changing into the slippers, Mindy walked directly to the sofa and sat down.

"Look at you. You’re a doctor, but you don’t even pay attention to your diet. You’ve gotten yourself into this state; I bet you regret it now, don’t you?"

Most mothers seemed to be like this, using criticism as a way to show they cared.

Alice walked over, listening to the lecture with her eyes lowered. She didn’t offer a single word of rebuttal, appearing so docile that Mindy didn’t have the heart to scold her further.

"Forget it. Just take better care of yourself."

The scent of perfume in the air was a little strong. Mindy waved a hand in front of her nose. "I’ve already heard about you applying to Rhovan Hospital. The old man is still furious. Things at the hospital won’t be peaceful for a while. With the trouble they’ll be making for you, you’re going to have your hands full."

Alice York maintained her submissive posture. "I know I behaved badly."

Mindy sized her up. "Then find some time to go back and properly apologize to the old man. The Sterlings have treated you well, so stop getting funny ideas. And don’t you ever think about leaving the Sterlings again. Since I was the one who brought you into their family, you’re one of them for life."

At these words, Alice clenched her fists, her expression strained.

She was doing a good job of schooling her expression, but it was impossible that Mindy wouldn’t notice.

"Is it because of what happened three years ago? Is that why you want to leave the Sterlings now?" Mindy didn’t beat around the bush, her question sharp and direct.

Alice met Mindy’s gaze without flinching. "No."

Her answer seemed to satisfy Mindy. "Good. Just behave yourself and stay with the Sterlings, and you’ll have a life of good fortune ahead of you. Don’t be so shortsighted."

Alice’s lips twisted into a slight smile. "And by ’good fortune,’ do you mean marrying Owen?"

She had hit the nail on the head.

The next second, Mindy’s laugh rang out as she covered her mouth with a hand painted in bright red nail polish. "Owen is a wonderful man. I’m counting on you from now on."

"Mom, how many times do I have to say it before you understand? Nothing is going to happen between me and Owen Sterling, and the Sterlings would never agree to him marrying me..." Alice took a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice even. "As for what happened three years ago, even if you told the old man, it wouldn’t cause a huge scandal. The worst that would happen is that I’d be kicked out of Silvanus, and then..."

"Enough! You don’t have to be so dramatic!"

Mindy cut her off, her voice low.

But Alice York was perfectly calm. "I’m not being dramatic. It’s the simple truth. You’re the one who can’t see it clearly."

"Shut up!" Mindy’s anger, which had just dissipated, flared up again. "Will you ever stop? You’re always so pessimistic."

Alice York suddenly felt the urge to laugh.

’Talk about getting things backward.’

’Mindy Vaughn was the one who never stopped, not her.’

Mindy grabbed her purse and stood up. "Alice, don’t worry, I’ll help you. Once you’re feeling better, go back to the Sterlings’ and give the old man a proper apology."

Alice York remained numb, showing no reaction.

"Cat got your tongue?" Mindy disliked Alice’s dumb demeanor.

"I got your meaning," Alice agreed reluctantly, then stood to walk Mindy to the door.

Mindy waved her off. "Just rest well. And another thing—be more proactive. Send Owen a message now and then, just to chat."

Alice was just about to agree when, at that exact moment, the sound of something hitting the floor came from her bedroom.

THUMP.

There were only two people in the entire living room, Alice and Mindy. With no other noise besides their conversation, there was no way Mindy had misheard.

She immediately looked at Alice and demanded, "What was that noise in your room?"

Alice’s heart dropped. She’d been talking with Mindy for a while without realizing it—well over five minutes.

’Wyatt Sterling must have made that noise to get her attention.’

"I asked you a question. What was that noise in the room?" Mindy asked, her face grim.

Alice glanced back at her bedroom door and said in a deliberately casual tone, "It’s probably just that bird that’s always at my window. It’s spring, you know? There’s a nest on the air-conditioner unit outside, so it probably made a racket while settling in."

Mindy was clearly unconvinced. "A bird in its nest? Could you possibly come up with a more reasonable lie?"

Alice’s heart was pounding erratically, but she had to force herself to appear calm. "What lie? If you don’t believe me, just go in and see for yourself."

She used the same trick as before, clinging to a sliver of hope.

’Maybe Mindy Vaughn wasn’t that curious.’

’Maybe she could bluff her way through this again.’

But this time, Alice had miscalculated. After she said her piece about seeing for herself, Mindy actually started walking toward the bedroom.

"I’d like to see for myself what kind of bird makes such a racket. If that’s really what it is, we’ll have to call property management to come deal with it."

As she watched Mindy reach the bedroom door, Alice’s heart leaped into her throat.

No! She absolutely could not let her mom see Wyatt Sterling here. If she did, it would all be done for.

Alice scrambled over to stop her.

But she was a step too late. She could only watch as Mindy pressed down on the handle and violently shoved the door open—