Chapter 226

‘To you, maybe,’ he said coolly. ‘You haven’t answered my question.’ ‘Well, um… your mum’s my sponsor back in school. She’s helped me a lot. When I heard she wasn’t well, I came to visit.’ Rowan hastened to add, ‘I only just found out she’s your stepmother. Total coincidence.’ ‘Right. She came to see me,’ Gwendolyn added quickly. ‘I just found out you two went to school together in Wessexia. What are the odds, huh? Small world.’ Ashton looked pointedly at the empty bedside table. ‘You come visit a patient and show up empty-handed?’ Rowan hesitated. ‘I left in a rush. I forgot.’ ‘We’re close. There’s no need for gifts,’ Gwendolyn muttered. ‘Stop bullshitting,’ Ashton cut her off. He raised his phone and hit play. The audio poured out, tinny, but clear. Their voices filled the room, every word from the earlier argument. Gwendolyn had gone rigid. Rowan looked at the floor. Ashton let it run a few more seconds, then stopped the recording. ‘Still sticking with the hospital visit excuse?’ Ro