Rescued Me Novel – Chapter 14
I never thought I’d see the day when my mother would hover over me like this. But there she was, fussing over every detail as she helped me settle back into Cole’s house, adjusting the pillows, making sure I was comfortable, checking if I had eaten enough.
It was surreal. I wasn’t used to this–her concern, her care.
She had insisted on staying with me, and while the old me would have pushed her away, something inside me was too exhausted to fight anymore.
I let her be. And strangely, I didn’t hate it.
She sat beside me on the bed, smoothing the blanket over my lap. “How are you feeling?“}
I exhaled. “Better.“”
She nodded, her gaze softening. “Good. You should rest more.“N
I let out a small, tired laugh. “You’re acting like I almost died.”
Her face fell slightly. “You could have.”
A tense silence filled the air.
She took my hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “I won’t make excuses, Evelyne. I failed you. As a mother, I should have protected you, should have believed you.“}
I swallowed hard.
She met my gaze, her eyes glistening with emotion. “But I’m here now. And I will never fail you again.”
Something warm spread through my chest. I had spent years craving these words. And now that I had them, I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.”
Instead, I just nodded.
She let out a breath of relief, then hesitated. “And Julienne?”
My expression hardened.
“I don’t know.” I leaned back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. “I just… I want peace.“”
My mother squeezed my hand. “Then we’ll follow your decision. Whatever you want, I will support it.””
I exhaled slowly. “I don’t want revenge anymore. Not against her. But I also don’t want to forgive her just because it’s expected of me.” I turned to her. “I want her to earn it.”
She nodded in understanding.”
“She needs to know what it feels like to be the one begging,” I said quietly. “To be the one who has to wait. I won’t forgive her until she understands what she’s done.“>
My mother looked down at our joined hands. “That’s fair.”
A small smirk tugged at my lips. “And my kidney?“}
She sighed. “Evelyne-”
“I want it back.”
She let out a tired laugh, shaking her head. “If it were possible, I’d help you take it myself.”
For the first time in years, we laughed together.
It was strange–this feeling of acceptance. Of trust. I wasn’t sure if it would last. But for now, it was enough.”
And then–The door burst open.
One of Cole’s men stepped inside, his face grim. “Miss Evelyne, you need to come with us.”
I frowned, my heart picking up speed. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Julienne.“}
My mother stiffened beside me.
“She collapsed in the detention center. They rushed her to the hospital.”
A heavy silence filled the room. Even after everything, I felt my stomach drop. I glanced at my mother, who looked just as shocked. I wasn’t sure what to do what to feel. But despite everything, despite all the betrayal- I found myself standing up.
“Take us to her.“”
The air was thick with tension as we arrived in the hospital. Doctors moved quickly, nurses whispering in hushed tones as
they worked around Julienne’s unconscious figure. I stood at the doorway, staring at her lifeless form on the hospital bed. Even like this, she looked… peaceful.
It didn’t feel right. After everything she had done–after all the pain she had caused–why did it still hurt to see her like this?
A doctor approached us, pulling off his gloves. “She’s stable now.”
I swallowed hard. “What happened?“}
The doctor hesitated before answering. “Extreme stress. Lack of proper nutrition. Her body finally gave out.“}
I let out a slow breath. Of course. Guilt had finally caught up to her. But then-
“There’s one more thing.“”
I frowned. “What?”
The doctor glanced at my mother before looking back at me.”
“She’s pregnant.”>
My blood turned to ice. My mother sucked in a sharp breath beside me. I didn’t need to ask who the father was. I already knew.B
Mateo.
But who cares about that? It was their own problem from now on.”
I stood outside Julienne’s room while my mother was talking to her, my fingers curled into fists at my sides. Through the small glass window, I could see her still figure on the bed, her face pale, her body weak.
She looked different. Fragile.
But I wasn’t ready to feel sorry for her. Not yet. Not after everything.”
I should have walked away. Should have left her to deal with the mess she created. But I stayed. And I listened.
Inside, my mother sat beside Julienne’s bed, watching as her eldest daughter slowly blinked awake. Julienne groaned softly, her hand moving to her stomach before realization dawned in her eyes.
Her gaze darted to my mother. “Mom?”
“I’m here,” my mother said softly.
Julienne’s lips trembled. “I–What happened?”
“You collapsed,” she replied. “The doctors said it was stress. You weren’t taking care of yourself.“}
Tears welled in Julienne’s eyes. “And… my baby?”
My mother hesitated before nodding. “Still safe.“”
Julienne let out a shaky breath of relief.
Then she grabbed my mother’s hands desperately. “Mom, you have to help me.”
My mother didn’t move. “With what?”
Julienne’s grip tightened. “You can’t let Evelyne do this. You can’t let her put me in jail.“}
I stiffened outside the door. Even now. Even now–Julienne still refused to take responsibility.
“Mom,” she pleaded, “Think about John. Think about this baby. They need their mother. You can’t let Evelyne ruin our family.”
My mother’s face darkened. “Ruin our family?” Her voice was sharp. “Julienne, do you even hear yourself?”
Julienne’s eyes widened. “I–I didn’t mean it like that.”
But my mother wasn’t done.
“For years, I believed you.” Her voice cracked. “I chose you. I defended you. I turned my back on Evelyne because of you.”§
Julienne’s lips quivered. “Mom, please-”
“No, my mother snapped, her eyes glistening with tears. “I won’t do it again.“@
Julienne’s entire body tensed.
“I lost Evelyne once,” my mother whispered. “I almost lost her forever because of you. And I will not make that mistake again.”
For the first time in my life- My mother was defending me.”
Tears burned at the back of my eyes.”
Are you sure about this?”