SWNOVELS Chapter 421: The Final Farewell
Chloe hadn't even had a chance to check her phone or catch up on the outside world, unaware that Joy Chaucer had been ousted from the company. Hearing what Meredith was saying, Chloe feigned ignorance, twisting Meredith's words, "Stella, help your daughter-in-law out, she's calling for you."
Chloe aimed to confuse the situation, but Stella wasn't fooled. It was clear that Meredith was speaking to Bianca on the hospital bed, not to her. At this moment, overcome with emotion, Meredith stumbled to Bianca's side, grasping her cold hands, distraught, "Mom, mom, wake up, open your eyes and look at me. We've just recognized each other, you haven't even held me yet, I haven't had the chance to be by your side. You were awake just a moment ago, how can this be happening?"
Meredith found it unbearable, having left only two hours ago and now facing a final goodbye. As Meredith repeatedly called Bianca "Mom," Stella and Julian exchanged bewildered looks, while Chloe panicked, "Meredith, what are you shouting about? How could my sister be your mother..."
Linda stepped in to clarify, "Mrs. Chaucer is indeed Mrs. Sterling's biological mother. Here's the paternity test. I was with Mrs. Sterling at the hospital this morning; Mrs. Chaucer had already woken up, and they had learned everything by then." Linda produced the paternity test, prompting Stella and Julian to eagerly verify its authenticity. Stella, astonished, after examining the document and then looking at the deceased Bianca and the crying Meredith, gasped, "Oh, so Meredith is Bianca's real daughter. After all this confusion, it turns out Bianca's real daughter has been right here all along."
Julian, both excited and shocked, added, "Meredith is Bianca's daughter, and the Chaucer and Sterling families were already linked by marriage, meant to bring these two children together. What a twist of fate that they ended up together. We're truly family with Bianca."
As the truth came to light, Chloe desperately retorted, "How is that possible? How could Meredith be my sister's daughter, Joy is..."
"Joy Chaucer is your daughter," Linda interjected, "Miss Chaucer, Joy Chaucer is not Mrs. Chaucer's daughter, but your own. Are you still going to pretend?"
This bombshell stunned Stella and Julian again. Stella asked, "Linda, Joy Chaucer is Chloe's daughter? How did you know?"
"Yes," Julian exclaimed in surprise. "Chloe, when did you have a daughter? We had no idea."
Though not very close, they had grown up together and known Chloe since childhood. The sudden revelation of Chloe having a daughter was truly unbelievable. Chloe stuttered, unable to explain, her face turning pale, realizing it was too late to keep secrets.
"Meredith, please," Selene approached Chloe, ready to escort her out with a clear implication of force if needed.
"I have every right to stay, my sister has passed away, I..." Chloe tried to protest, but Selene didn't hesitate to grab her arm and drag her out.
Stella and Julian also left, giving Meredith space to bid Bianca a final farewell. As everyone left, Meredith stayed behind with Bianca, tears falling as she gazed ather mother's still form, now cold to the touch. The recognition between mother and daughter had been all too brief, and all Meredith managed was to call her "Mom," with everything else left unsaid.
Filled with regret, Meredith wished she hadn't left. She should have stayed, at least to be with her mother as she took her last breath, to be the last person her mother saw. That final farewell was all she could have offered now. The more she thought about it, the deeper Meredith's grief became, overwhelming her with sorrow.
Outside the hospital room, Stella and Julian quickly made a call to Terrence Sterling in Mondale, urging him to come back immediately. Meredith, grieving and pregnant, surely needed her husband by her side.
Meanwhile, Chloe moved aside, frantically calling Joy Chaucer to inquire if she had successfully taken over the company. Upon learning that Joy had been expelled from the company, Chloe felt darkness descend before her eyes, nearly fainting from the shock.