The Pretender and The Prince novel Chapter 5

The next morning, Ondine was up before dawn, making breakfast. Yvaine hadn’t slept well either; sharp pains in her stomach had woken her up several times. But not wanting to worry her daughter, she had endured it in silence, only pretending to wake up when Ondine called her for breakfast.

Ondine had no appetite. While her mother ate, she packed a bag with things she would need for the hospital stay.

When Yvaine finished and went into the bedroom, she found her daughter sitting on the bed, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Yvaine sighed, and as she turned away, a tear escaped her own eye.

With the bag packed, Ondine took her mother by the arm and led her outside. Just as they stepped out of the building, a familiar black Maybach pulled up to the curb, and Ondine froze.

The driver got out and approached them. “Ms. Sterling,” he said respectfully, “my boss sent me to pick you up.”

Ondine’s breath caught in her throat. Her first instinct was to refuse, but a gust of wind cut through the frigid December morning, and she saw her mother shiver. With her immune system so weak, she couldn’t be standing out in the cold. Besides, he was already here. It would be rude to turn him away now.

“Thank you,” Ondine said politely.

The driver took their bag and placed it in the trunk. “Where to, Ms. Sterling?”

“Meridian Hospital.”

“Right away.”

A few minutes into the drive, Yvaine asked, “Ondine, who sent the driver for us?”

Ondine hesitated for a moment. “It was Zaria’s brother,” she replied softly.

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