Chapter 70
Chapter 70:
“Take a seat. I’ll handle it.” Without waiting for a reply, Claire moved with practiced efficiency — water on the stove, a pot ready in seconds.
Kristine stood there for a moment, surprised.
“You’re just getting in the way,” Claire said gently, steering her out of the kitchen with a light touch.
Only after finding herself in the dining room did Kristine realize what had just happened. She lingered in the doorway for a heartbeat, then turned and took her seat.
Shortly after, Claire appeared with a steaming plate of pasta and set it down in front of her.
Kristine looked up. “Thank you p>
Claire gave no response and slipped quietly toward her room.
Kristine picked up her fork and began to eat. Every bite was a reminder of how skilled Claire truly was in the kitchen. Before she realized it, the plate was empty.
B𝖾 𝗽a𝘳𝘵 𝗼𝗳 оu𝘳 с𝗼𝘮𝗺𝗎nі𝗍𝘺 o𝘯
She carried it to the sink, intending to wash it herself. The moment her hand touched the faucet, a sharp cramp twisted through her stomach. The plate crashed to the floor and shattered as she doubled over in pain.
Hearing the commotion, Claire rushed in and found Kristine on the floor, her face completely drained of color.
“What happened p>
Kristine could barely whisper. “Stomach hurts p>
Claire’s eyes went wide. “Mr. Yates keeps medicine upstairs — wait here, I’ll get it p>
“Call 911.” The words were barely audible before everything went dark.
By the time Kristine came to, she was lying in a hospital bed. What caught her most off guard was finding Claire seated at her bedside.
“The doctor said it’s a stress ulcer,” Claire explained softly. “Luckily, they caught it early. You’ll need some medication, but it should clear up.” She handed Kristine a bowl of chicken soup. “He also mentioned that emotional stress triggered it. You’ll need to keep yourself calm from now on p>
Kristine accepted the bowl with a small nod.
“Do you want me to call Mr. Yates p>
“No.” The answer was immediate and unwavering.
Claire’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Elyse, she knew, would have used a moment like this as the perfect opportunity to lean on Colton. Such chances never slipped past her. Claire did not linger. “Alright. I’ll head back to the house p>
“Okay p>
On her way out, Claire nearly walked straight into Brent by the elevator.
“Claire? What brings you here? Visiting Elyse p>
“No — Ms. Green was admitted p>
“Kristine?” A brief sharpness flickered in Brent’s eyes.
“Yes. Some kind of stomach issue. I should get going p>
“Take care,” Brent said, offering a pleasant smile and a wave as she stepped into the elevator. The moment the doors slid shut, his expression changed entirely — a quiet, calculating look settling in his eyes.
Kristine spent one night at the hospital, and the following day she returned to Crestwood.
The moment she stepped inside, Colton appeared on the stairs, heading down. Worry still lingered in his gaze — but when he saw her, he stopped short, and a chill crept into his voice.
“Where did you go p>