Chapter 320

"Is this woman truly the mother of this child? How could she not know about his allergies?" Evelyn studied Penelope with confusion swirling in her gaze. Penelope could only offer a helpless smile in return.

Just then, the ambulance arrived. Medical personnel rushed forward, examining the boy before carefully loading him into the vehicle.

Evelyn exhaled in relief as the professionals took over. She wiped her hands clean and turned to settle the bill, ready to leave—until Penelope suddenly seized her sleeve.

"You can't go! You're coming to the hospital with me!"

"Penelope!"

Serena gasped. "You can't do this! Evelyn is my friend!"

"I'm sorry, Serena," Penelope said, her voice tight with desperation. "I need her to come with me, regardless. Oliver's condition is still uncertain. What if what she did earlier made things worse?"

"No, it didn't. I trust Evelyn completely," Serena insisted, her faith unwavering.

Penelope gave a bitter laugh.

"Your trust means nothing if something happens to him. You know I can't face Donovan if Oliver isn't okay. I took him out without permission today. If anything goes wrong, I—"

"I understand your position, Penelope, but Evelyn—"

"I'll go."

Evelyn's voice was calm, cutting through the tension. She had already grasped the heart of their argument—Penelope feared her intervention might have harmed the child.

But Evelyn had no choice. Severe allergies could trigger anaphylaxis, and Oliver was just a boy. Without immediate action, the consequences could have been fatal. She couldn’t stand by and watch him suffocate.

"Evelyn..."

Serena shot her an apologetic look.

Evelyn shook her head. "It's fine. I get it. A mother's worry is understandable."

Even so, she couldn't fathom how Penelope had been unaware of her own son's allergies. Small things could be overlooked, but this? A life-threatening reaction?

Under Penelope’s insistence, Evelyn followed them to the hospital. Serena, concerned, trailed behind.

The medical team whisked Oliver into the emergency ward, leaving the three women to wait outside.

Penelope was a mess—pacing, trembling, her nerves frayed. Serena's soothing words did little to calm her.

Evelyn watched silently. The fear in Penelope's eyes was unmistakable.

"How could a mother not know?"

Maybe it was an oversight. Maybe this was Oliver’s first allergic reaction, and Penelope had simply been caught off guard.

Evelyn’s thoughts spiraled. Raising a child was no easy feat. The idea of having her own one day had once crossed her mind—but now, it evaporated entirely.

Then, footsteps.

Sharp, rapid, echoing down the corridor. The crisp click of leather shoes against tile.

Before Evelyn could turn, she saw Penelope freeze, her face draining of color.