Chapter 54: Julian Fletcher Mistakes Me for Cecilia Caldwell

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Julian Fletcher Mistakes Me for Cecilia Caldwell

Julian Fletcher looked emotionless, as aloof as ever.

Erin Whittaker, however, seemed very happy. She looked down at her stomach, seemingly looking forward to the birth of her child.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. ’If I hadn’t died, what would Julian Fletcher have done about the child in my belly? Forced me to have an abortion? Or ripped the baby out of me with his own hands?’

’He’s capable of anything.’

My cold laugh must have caught their attention. Both Julian Fletcher and Erin Whittaker turned to look at me at the same time.

I saw a flicker of surprise in both of their eyes.

Julian Fletcher’s face went pale as he stepped forward. "Cece..."

I frowned. ’Silvia Lynch might look a bit like me, but not so much that Julian Fletcher would mistake me for her.’ "Who are you?"

Julian Fletcher stared at me for a long time before taking a step back, looking somewhat dejected.

"Psycho..." I muttered, clenching my fists as I walked past Julian Fletcher.

"Julian, she’s not Cece. You’ve got the wrong person..." Erin Whittaker feigned a sob, clinging to Julian’s arm. "Julian, the dead can’t be brought back. You can’t go on like this. If not for yourself, then for our child."

My legs felt numb as I walked, and with every step, I fought the urge to turn around and kill that wretched pair.

’But not yet. I have to make Julian Fletcher see Erin Whittaker’s true colors first. I’ll rip off her sanctimonious mask and make him realize everything she’s done!’

"Doctor, these are for our ma’am. The blood test results are back. Please take a look." The nanny handed the results to the doctor.

As I sat in the chair, I could feel an intense gaze on my back that made me uncomfortable.

’What is Julian Fletcher staring at?’

"Julian, let’s go," Erin Whittaker said, pulling him away.

He glanced back at me, muttering even as he left the consultation room, "Is she really... not Cece?"

Shaking off Erin Whittaker’s hand, Julian Fletcher walked ahead. "Are you happy now...? Cece was pregnant too... with my child..."

He was murmuring to himself.

I could hear his voice even from inside the exam room.

’How disgusting...’

"Your HCG is still quite low, so we’ll need to monitor you for a while to determine if the pregnancy is intrauterine or ectopic. If we can rule out any complications, then you can relax and focus on carrying the baby to term," Dr. Carter said with a smile. "Try not to stress too much. Everything should be fine."

I nodded and took the test results, walking out of the exam room. Suddenly, I covered my mouth and dry-heaved. Ignoring the bodyguards and the nanny trying to stop me, I bolted for the restroom.

Once inside, I glanced around the restroom and breathed a sigh of relief. ’Good, the crack in the window is wide enough for me to squeeze through.’

I climbed out the window and quickly fled the hospital.

’Before the Lancasters’ people drag me back, I have to take care of one thing...’

’Find Madeline Quinn.’

’Madeline Quinn is the only person in this world I can trust.’

’She’s also the only one who could possibly recognize me.’

I had only run a few steps before the Lancaster family’s men came chasing after me.

I grew frustrated. ’These people are impossible to shake.’

Just as I was about to hide, a hand pulled me into a car, covering my mouth.

I whipped my head around in a panic, my eyes landing with disgust on the person behind me. It was Julian Fletcher.

’Now, the mere sight of him, the very scent of him, makes my stomach turn.’

"Who are you? What do you want?" I asked, watching Julian Fletcher warily.

"It’s nothing... I don’t mean any harm. I just... want to help you." He held up his hands, showing he had no ill intent.

’It hasn’t been that long, but Julian Fletcher looks so much more weathered. He’s lost a lot of weight, and he doesn’t seem as radiant as he used to be.’

I averted my gaze, unwilling to spare him a single glance. "I don’t need your help."

Julian Fletcher chuckled. "I don’t know why you’re running, but if you get out now, they’ll definitely drag you away."

"Got nothing better to do?" I asked, leaning back against the seat.

’Still, letting Julian Fletcher get me away from here is an option.’

"A little," Julian Fletcher admitted with a nod.

"Get me out of this hospital," I said in a low voice.

Julian Fletcher didn’t refuse, simply signaling the driver to go.

I crouched down on the floor of the car, hiding from the people outside.

Julian Fletcher shifted in his seat, his body perfectly blocking the view from outside.

"We’re here." Once they were clear of the hospital, Julian Fletcher had the driver pull over in a safe spot.

I glanced out the window before turning to look at Julian Fletcher warily. "Why did you help me?"

Julian Fletcher stared into my eyes for a long moment. "You look a lot like... someone I used to know."

"Someone you used to know?" I laughed, my stomach churning violently.

’It’s disgusting. Who is he putting on this lovesick act for?’

"Here’s my card. If you run into any trouble, you can call me," Julian Fletcher said, handing me a business card.

I took the card and got out. As Julian Fletcher’s car drove away, I tore the card to shreds and threw it into a trash can.

’Julian Fletcher, Erin Whittaker, and that murderer... I will take back everything you all owe me!’

Emerging from the alley, I tied my hair up, tucked it under a hat, and walked away with my head lowered.

After navigating a few side streets, I borrowed a phone at a coffee shop and called Madeline Quinn.

’I can’t go to Madeline Quinn directly; it would be too conspicuous. I have to get her to come meet me.’

"Hello?" On the other end was Madeline’s familiar voice, hoarse from what sounded like constant crying. "Who is this?"

My eyes instantly reddened, and my whole body trembled as I leaned on the table. "If you want to know how your best friend, Cecilia Caldwell, died, don’t tell a soul. Come meet me, alone, at the corner coffee shop near Mansion Thirteen."

On the other end of the line, Madeline’s tone instantly became guarded.

"Who are you?"

I didn’t answer, afraid I would break down crying if I said another word.

"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice tight with tension.

I covered my mouth, choking back a sob, and hung up.

After returning the phone to the server, I laid my head on the table and cried for a long time.

About ten minutes later, Madeline Quinn arrived.

’She lives close by, which is why I chose this place. And... in the past, whenever I was upset, I’d come here. It was basically our secret spot.’

She had rushed over, still in her slippers.

She scanned her surroundings warily, searching for the caller.

"Over here," I said, raising my hand.

She approached quickly, her eyes guarded. "You..."

She stared into my eyes for a long time, as if about to say that I looked a lot like Cecilia Caldwell.

"You said you know... how my best friend died?" she asked quietly, her eyes red-rimmed.

I nodded and glanced around. "If we’re both not married by thirty, we’ll drop everything and travel abroad for six months. If we still haven’t found anyone to marry by forty, we’ll forget about it, buy a little house in a city down south, and spend the rest of our lives together. And if we can, we’ll adopt a child..."

Madeline Quinn’s expression slowly shifted to one of astonishment. She raised a hand to cover her mouth, her entire body trembling. "Who... who are you?"