When Ondine arrived at the hospital, she overheard her mother, Yvaine, speaking to someone in the room. "Mr. Jefferson, I've reviewed the living will. Everything looks correct."A man's voice replied, "Excellent. I'll just need your signature right here."Ondine pushed the door open. Inside, besides Yvaine, were a middle-aged man in a sharp suit and a young man about her age."A will? What will?" Ondine looked at Yvaine, her shock laced with pain. "Mom, you had a lawyer draw up a will?"Why would her mother do this behind her back? Did she think she wasn't going to get better? The thought was a sharp pang in Ondine's chest.Yvaine avoided her gaze. "Ondine, honey, I'm just trying to protect your future."Tears welled in Ondine's eyes. "Mom, you're going to be fine," she choked out. "You're going to beat this.""Ms. Sterling, we'll take our leave now," the lawyer said."Wait," Ondine said, turning to him. "Mr. Jefferson, can I see it?"Mr. Jefferson glanced at Yvaine for permission."Ondine, not now," Yvaine said quickly. "You'll see it when... when the time comes.""Why can't I see it now?" Ondine pleaded."You'll understand later." Yvaine gave Mr. Jefferson a look, and he and his assistant promptly left."Ondine, have you eaten?" Yvaine asked, changing the subject.Seeing that her mom didn't want to discuss it further, Ondine didn't press."I have," she replied."You haven't been sleeping well, have you? You have dark circles under your eyes." Yvaine looked at her daughter with aching tenderness, reaching out a frail, bony hand to gently caress her face.Ondine closed her eyes, savoring her mother's touch. "It's nothing, Mom. Just some dark circles." Trying to lighten the mood, she forced asmile Hey, look at me. Don't look like a panda now Hahaha. The pain in Yvaine's eyes deepened, though she managed a faint, strained smile.What would her daughter do when she's gone?an ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ find⦿novel.net"Mom, after my finals, I want to take you to Boreal for treatment," Ondine said. "A friend of mine can get us appointment with a top specialist at the Lustrous Medical Center. The healthcare there is much better than in Riverdale. Let's go, okay?" Yvaine's face clouded with worry. "But the cost..."Ondine squeezed her mother's hand gently. "Don't worry about that, Mom. I'llfigure something out."noveldramaThey talked for a little while longer until a knock sounded at the door."Who is it?" Ondine asked, getting up to open it.When she saw who was standing outside, her eyes widened."You must be Ondine," the woman said with a smirk. "My name is Chantal. I'm sure Ellis has mentioned me?"The color drained from Ondine's face. "Let's talk outside." She turned back to her mother. "Mom, it's a friend. I'll be right back.""Oh no, let's talk right here," Chantal said, shoving past Ondine and striding into the room."So you're Ondine's mother?" Chantal stood before the hospital bed, arms crossed, chin tilted high in arrogance."Yes, I am. Are you a friend of Ondine's?" Yvaine asked softly.Chantal let out a cold, sharp laugh. "A friend? Please. I wouldn't becaught dead being friends with someone like her. Do you have any idea that your daughter is the other woman. That sheThat she stole my Oboyfriend? Is this how you raisedher? To have no shame?"Yvaine was stunned. She never expected this woman to be so vicious. And whatwas this about Ondine stealing her boyfriend?Trembling with rage, Yvaine's eyes reddened."Ondine would never do that!" she cried, her voice rising with emotion. "You're lying!""Get out!" Seeing her mother's distress, Ondine feared it would worsen hercondition. She grabbed Chantal and shoved her toward the door. "Get out of here! Now!"