His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 277

Virginia had honestly thought she was immune to the heartbreak by now, but hearing those words, her fingers unconsciously dug into her palms.

Just then, Archer strode into the room, impeccably dressed in a dark silk button-down.

Without giving Madeline so much as a glance, he sat down next to Virginia. His large, warm hand clamped down over her tightly clenched fist.

His long fingers possessed an undeniable, commanding strength as he gently but forcefully pried her fingers open, one by one.

Then, he intertwined his fingers perfectly with hers.

Virginia frowned, though she didn't look up at him.

"Mrs. Caldwell," Archer said coldly, his dark, bottomless eyes locked on the older woman. "Virginia has just recovered from a major trauma. She isn't in the mood for visitors."

Madeline frowned, opening her mouth to speak, but his icy tone cut her off.

"She requires absolute peace and quiet right now. Unless it is a matter of life and death, I suggest you refrain from disturbing her."

Madeline was left completely speechless.

She instinctively looked to Virginia, desperate to find some sliver of support or defense on her daughter's face.

But Virginia just sat there in silence, letting Archer hold her hand, her expression completely indifferent.

She was letting him speak for her.

Madeline couldn't even process the overwhelming flood of emotions crashing into her chest, but the suffocating ache was undeniable.

In the past, no matter what she said, Virginia would at least give her a polite response, even if it was somewhat cold.

But now, looking into those clear, beautiful eyes, Madeline couldn't find a single trace of longing for a mother's love...

The realization made Madeline feel completely unmoored.

She barely managed to hold onto her composure, forcing a stiff smile. "Archer is right. I was being inconsiderate. Rest well, Ginny. I'll come check on you another time."

A sudden, inexplicable wave of emptiness washed over Madeline's heart.

Chloe instantly caught the shift in her mother's demeanor. Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly, but she quickly set the coffee down and knelt affectionately beside Madeline's legs, resting her cheek on the older woman's knee.

"Mom, is Virginia feeling any better?" she asked, her voice dripping with guilt and sorrow. "It's all my fault. If I wasn't so fragile and sick, you would have been able to stay with her. Is she mad at me? Is she taking it out on you?"

She looked up, her eyes rimmed with red, unshed tears shimmering perfectly in the light.

Looking down at the face of the girl she had coddled for over two decades, Madeline felt that brief flash of emptiness vanish.

So what if they weren't blood-related? Biological ties couldn't beat twenty years of love and devotion.

Chloe was so incredibly thoughtful. Why couldn't Virginia be half as understanding?

"Don't be silly," Madeline said softly, stroking Chloe's hair. "Virginia just had a terrible accident. It's normal for her to be in a bad mood. You just focus on taking care of yourself. I'll handle everything else."