Chapter 25

Mona refused to stay in the hospital taking care of Ted like a fool. She'd thought it over. If she continued down this path, Ted would eventually grow to resent her just as he'd done to Nydia. She hadn't won over Mick's heart yet, so losing Ted as a leverage point would leave her at a disadvantage. Gia cautiously asked, "Where should we go now, Ms. Poole?" Mona yawned and stretched lazily. "Let's take a nap, and I'll go to the audition in the afternoon." Gia hurried off to make the arrangements. … Mick consulted the doctor and sighed in relief after learning it was just pneumonia. When he returned to the room, Ted had woken up. Looking utterly confused, he sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes in a daze. When he saw Mick, he called out in a hoarse voice, "Dad." A faint smile appeared on Mick's face. "Get up and have something to eat." Ted tried to get up, but the needle on the back of his hand tugged painfully at his skin. Realization hit him, and he suddenly burst into loud he