Chapter 18 She Is Not Needed
Outside the ward, Leslie noticed Coleen’s pale face and promptly supported her. “Ms. Hurst, are you alright?” Coleen closed her eyes and responded, “I’m fine, Leslie. You can return to the club. I’ll stay here for a while longer.” “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay with you?” Leslie expressed concern for Coleen. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” Leslie hesitated about leaving Coleen alone, but eventually, she departed. The club couldn’t be left unattended, after all. Seated on a chilly blue chair outside the ward, Coleen grappled with uncertainty. Neither leaving nor staying felt right. Serendale had transformed; it was no longer the familiar place Coleen knew. She covered her face with her hands, holding back tears. Time passed unnoticed until a cold male voice broke the silence. “Do you now understand why I asked you to leave?” Startled, Coleen removed her hands and looked up at the speaker. Lyndon regarded her emotionlessly. “I don’t think you want to bring harm to Diana’s dearest sister, too.” Coleen looked at him with sadness. “Are you going to attribute every tragedy in the Ewing family to me from now on?” Lyndon replied icily, “I swore by Diana’s grave to take care of her family. Coleen, just leave. Go far away and don’t come back.” Lyndon turned away and entered the hospital ward. Soon, Aislin’s delighted voice could be heard; Lyndon had come to visit her, and she seemed overjoyed. Coleen bit her lip, her right hand covering her mouth. She pounded her chest forcefully with her left hand, as if trying to alleviate her heartache. Somehow finding the strength, she walked out of the hospital. A cab arrived at the Glamour Club’s entrance, and the driver had to call out three times before Coleen snapped out of her trance. She paid the cab fee and disembarked. However, even upon entering the club, Coleen found no solace. Back in her office, Coleen surveyed the surroundings and realized her return was a cruel joke. Perhaps, she shouldn’t have come back; avoiding all of this might have been the better choice. Clenching her fists, Coleen left her office. Then she heard a commotion up ahead. Coleen looked up and saw a charming Stanley walking toward her amidst a crowd. A woman with long hair, adorned in an exquisite white dress and golden high heels, clung to his right arm. The woman, beautiful with fair skin and a slender figure, smiled captivatingly, invoking a natural protective instinct. Stanley and the woman conversed and laughed, seemingly oblivious to the world around them. For the first time, Coleen realized there was a woman who could stand beside Stanley without seeming out of place. Stanley glanced at Coleen, who snapped out of her reverie, stepping aside and bowing slightly. “Mr. Stanley.” Stanley averted his eyes, walking past her into his private room. Once the group had passed, Coleen sighed, pulling a wry smile, feeling superfluous in this world.
