Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)
Chapter 49

Having just wrapped up a chat with Yorick about Finley, Cloudia got a call.

Jaxon was rushed to the hospital, and she barely had time to ask what was wrong before she was racing to his side, leaving Ursula to Yorick.

Cloudia spotted Jaxon's ghostly white face, "What on earth happened to you? How did you end up like this?"

Gritting his teeth, Jaxon growled, "We can't reinstate Stella's card. Not this time!"

Having the energy to make scene, clearly, she hadn't been starved into certain degree yet.

Well, if Stella thought she was tough...

Then she'd have to be ready to sell her soul before she saw another penny from the Larkin fortune.

Cloudia nodded, "I know, I won't do it. Wait, did she cause this mess?"

Jaxon was livid. He spilled everything about the debacle at Beckett's birthday bash to Cloudia.

And as Cloudia listened, her expression darkened to a thundercloud. She gazed at Jaxon in utter disbelief, her eyes finally resting on his injured groin. "She nearly ruined you?"

Cloudia found it difficult to breathe. This was way out of line. She knew Stella's notorious temper, but this time, it wasn't just that; she was downright rebellious. Jaxon added, "I checked. Most of the tenants at Silk-River Residences are due for rent these days. Don't give her a penny."

Not just a halt on her cards, but not a single cash handout, either. He'd love to see how she managed.

Cloudia fumed, "We'll reconsider it when she comes to beg."

Rent's due, huh?

Fine. Rent in those apartments wasn't cheap. Cloudia was curious to see how long Stella could keep up her act.

She refused to believe Stella could outstubborn them this time. After years of living off the Larkin wealth and still acting out, it was clear she'd been spoiled rotten.

That settled it. Cloudia and Jaxon agreed - no more card or cash for Stella. They'd wait until she came crawling back.

And when she did, Stella would have to agree to their terms, like bringing Tegan back, and getting Finley to treat Ursula's illness.

...

Back in the hospital room.

Yorick gazed at the frail Ursula before glancing at the barely touched food tray next to Ursula's bed.

"Haven't eaten anything?"

"The smell of disinfectant is too strong. I can't stomach it," Ursula confessed.

It was the truth.

When people were sick, nothing tasted right, and Ursula's current condition demanded a bland diet. The pervasive scent of disinfectant made her nauseous. "Rick, can you get me out of here? I've asked Mom, but she won't allow it."

Yorick remain silent.

"I really feel hopeless here, Rick. I want to leave."

Every time when the doctors came to do the check-up, they shook their heads after reviewing her tests. Ursula felt like she wouldn't make it out alive. She was expressly terrified. "Should I find another hospital?" Yorick offered, his voice laden with sympathy.

Ursula shook her head, "No, I don't want any hospital. I just want to leave. I'm really scared, Rick. Do you know? Every day in here, I feel like death is just around the corner, waiting to take me at any time." The feeling of life slipping away transiently suffocated her; she was really frightened.

Yorick reassured, "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm serious, Rick. You don't understand. Every time the pain hits, I wonder if I'll ever see the sky outside the hospital again."

Only those facing a terminal illness could truly understand the feeling - the dread of possibly dying in a hospital bed. It was truly scary.