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Novel Catalog
Chapter_9
Misfortunes Come in Threes
I smiled bitterly, muttering “Okay,” before hanging up. Ivanna had become someone I barely recognized, a woman I once trusted, now revealed to be conniving. She had pretended to advise me sincerely, telling me to reflect on my values, yet now she mocked me in front of my husband.
It finally hit me how unpredictable people could be. No wonder she had tried probing me by claiming to have seen Matthew—it was all because of her guilty conscience.
Matthew had told me that it had been a long time since he’d seen Ivanna. But now, I felt my heart break, realizing he had deceived me. I had invested so much of myself into both Ivanna and Matthew, only to have them betray me in this unfamiliar city. I no longer knew who to trust.
I stared out the window, lost in my thoughts, before calling Matthew. As expected, his response mirrored Ivanna’s—calm and detached, leaving me even more outraged. In my fury, I rushed toward the café, but as I entered, my phone rang.
It was the kindergarten teacher calling to inform me that Ava had fallen off the slide and was sent to the hospital. The news struck me like a blow to the chest. My heart raced as I immediately hailed a cab, desperate to get to the hospital.
On the way, I called Matthew to update him on Ava’s accident. He seemed concerned but still composed. When we arrived at Kinein Hospital almost simultaneously, we found Ava in the emergency room, crying with a scrape on her forehead. The doctor informed us that she had suffered a minor concussion and had vomited after the fall. They suggested she stay for observation.
The teacher responsible for Ava was terrified and tearfully stared at Matthew, guilt written all over her face. The dean was also present, offering apologies left and right.
Matthew’s composure remained, though I could sense his displeasure. He asked the dean about Ava’s injuries, and the dean explained that a boy had pushed her off the slide’s small platform.
What I heard next horrified me. I knew the slide was at least five feet tall.
“Do you even care for the children at your school?!” I couldn’t contain my frustration any longer and yelled at them. “As parents, we trust you with our children, yet this happens?”
My outburst shocked Matthew, who had never seen me so hysterical. Even Ava flinched, crying harder. I felt terrible for her, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Matthew quickly comforted me as the dean, looking guilty, handled the hospital procedures and arranged a room for Ava. Once everything was settled, Ivanna called me again, asking where I was.
I suspected she already knew about the accident. Despite everything, I told her that Ava had fallen and was hospitalized. Not long after, Ivanna rushed into the hospital, her worry palpable as she asked about Ava.
Coincidentally, Matthew was also in the room. The two of them remained composed, though I could see subtle glances passing between them. Matthew even seemed slightly nervous, which only deepened my suspicion.
I swallowed my frustration and feigned ignorance. “You’re done with your meeting already?” I asked.
“Yeah. It wasn’t anything important,” Ivanna replied nonchalantly, brushing off my question. “Did you need something?”
“Nothing. I was just bored,” I said, watching her closely. “Matthew said he hadn’t seen you in a while, so I thought I’d invite you for lunch.”
Ivanna glanced at me, then smiled politely. “Well, if you’re in the mood to eat, wait until Ava’s better. I’ll treat you and your whole family to a big meal.”
She gently caressed Ava’s head. “How about it, Ava? I’ll buy you whatever you want once you’re feeling better.”
Ava blinked and nodded, her lips pouting as she tried to smile, despite the swelling on her forehead. My heart ached for her.
Without thinking, I instinctively brushed Ivanna’s hand away, anger flaring in me at her attempt to take my place as the “stepmother.” Was she already trying to position herself as the one to replace me? I couldn’t even consider giving her that chance.
Ivanna seemed taken aback by my reaction and asked softly, “Is something wrong?”