Before I could say a word, Arabelle shoved me aside and stepped forward to help.
"Aunt Tessa, what are you doing? You’re actually kneeling to someone like her?"
Tessa brushed her hand away without hesitation and turned back, resolutely kneeling at my feet.
"Please, I know you can do it."
Jaxon stared at me with confusion in his eyes, as if unable to understand what kind of strength a quiet woman like me, someone only known for taking care of others, could possibly possess.
I gently helped Tessa to her feet and said, "Since I’ve agreed to marry him, he is my fiancé, and I’ll take responsibility for him."
Only by marrying him could I bring Callum back. So, I would pour everything I had into waking him, even if it meant exhausting all of my medical skills.
As my words sank in, Jaxon’s expression shifted. Then, he snapped irritably, "Stop boasting. What do you even know about saving people? Arabelle is the real doctor!"
He dragged Arabelle forward and placed her in front of Tessa.
"Mrs. Montgomery, Arabelle just returned from studying abroad. She’ll definitely be able to save Rigel.”
“She’s the one who cured my legs!"
Tessa let out a cold scoff. "She cured your legs? I don’t trust someone who turned her back on my son."
Arabelle’s face turned pale.
Jaxon quickly explained to her, "Arabelle and I have been engaged for years. We were childhood sweethearts. The engagement with Rigel was something our parents forced on us."
Tessa let out a cold laugh. "Seems like you really don’t know people at all. Whatever. It’s a good thing I have Liora now. The two of you can leave."
Still trying to defend herself, Arabelle protested, "Aunt Tessa, don’t be fooled by her. How could someone like her possibly know medicine? She’s probably bluffing. Leaving Rigel in her hands would only make things worse!"
"I know breaking off the engagement was wrong, but I’m willing to make it up by doing my best to treat him!"
But Tessa acted as if she hadn’t heard a single word and turned to the butler. "See them out."
And just like that, Jaxon and Arabelle were thrown out of the Montgomery household.
Humiliated for the first time, Arabelle exploded in fury at the gate. "What kind of shitty Montgomery family is this? They don’t even know what’s good for them!"
Jaxon stared at her as if seeing someone he no longer recognized. She used to be gentle and kind.
Realizing she’d crossed a line, Arabelle quickly clung to his arm, her voice turning sweet and pitiful.
"Jaxon, I was only worried the Montgomerys might be fooled by Liora. Don’t forget, she’s always tried to ruin what we have. Maybe she’s lying again, just to get your attention."
Jaxon seemed to consider it for a moment. "If she’s really lying, the Montgomery family will find out sooner or later. You healed my legs; I trust you, naturally."
Arabelle clung to his arm, but behind his back, her expression slowly turned cold.
Liora, you bitch. Just wait.
Not long after Jaxon returned to the villa with Arabelle, the housekeeper came rushing over.
"Young master, the madam’s illness has flared up again..."
Ella, his mother, had long suffered from pulmonary blebs. The condition often left her writhing in pain and robbed her of sleep. Hearing that his mother was in agony once more, Jaxon grabbed Arabelle and hurried upstairs.
As soon as they pushed open the door, they found Ella curled up in bed, groaning in pain.
"Mom, Arabelle’s here! Her medical skills are top-notch. She’ll help ease your pain!"
But Ella cried out in distress, "Where’s Liora? Why isn’t that girl here?"
"Mom, she’s already gone to the Montgomerys."
"That damn girl! After everything our family did for her! Good riddance! I’ve got Arabelle now, and I don’t need her to take care of me!"
Arabelle glanced at the medical record and felt a pang of guilt. Pulmonary blebs? She had never even heard of it. Still, she forced a calm smile and said, “Don’t worry, Aunt Ella. I’ll get you some medicine.”
She hurried downstairs, rummaged through her bag, and pulled out two ibuprofen tablets. Handing them to the maid, she said, “This is special medication I brought back from abroad. Give these to Aunt Ella. I have something to take care of, so I’ll leave first.”
Upstairs, Jaxon watched with relief as his mother finally drifted into sleep after taking the pills. His heart settled. Thankfully, they had Arabelle now; Liora was nothing worth remembering.
A woman who couldn’t even compare to a maid had no place standing beside someone like Arabelle.
What they didn’t realize was that Ella was allergic to ibuprofen.
