Lincoln shook his head, looking frustrated. “He’s always causing a scene. We honestly think something’s going on with him mentally, but every time we try to get him checked out, he refuses.”
Then he turned to Lydia. “Lydia, isn’t Garratt supposed to be amazing at medicine? Is he in the Capital right now? If he is, could you ask him to come check on my grandpa?”
Lydia thought about it for a moment. She really didn’t have much going on these days, so she nodded. “Alright, I’ll go see him another day.”
Lincoln’s jaw dropped. “Wait, Lydia, you’re actually going to see my grandpa?”
Juna rolled her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean? Lydia’s a genius when it comes to medicine. Having her visit is basically the luckiest thing that could happen to you.”
Lincoln chuckled, looking a little embarrassed. “I know, I know. I’m just so grateful. Lydia, do you have time tomorrow? Could you come then?”
Lydia nodded. “Sure.”
“Lydia, you’re honestly my hero. I love you!”
Lydia just shot him a look. “Can you be serious for a second?”
Juna let out another snort. “Don’t push your luck. If Connor saw you acting like this, you’d be dead meat.”
Neither Lydia nor Juna noticed Lucinda lurking behind a divider, snapping pictures of Lincoln and Lydia laughing together.
Clutching her phone, Lucinda walked away, her smile icy. In her mind, she sneered, “Lydia, the second Connor leaves the Capital, you’re out here flirting with other guys. I’ll make sure Connor finds out exactly what kind of a slut you are.”
Just as she was about to put her phone away, Grace’s name popped up on her screen.
Lucinda glanced around, making sure Anna and Cameron were nowhere nearby, then slipped into a quiet corner to answer.
She shot a quick text to Mr. Rowland, then hurried out.
When she got to the car, Kylie, Cameron, and Lucinda were already waiting inside.
Kylie looked frantic. “Dad’s not young anymore. I hope he hasn’t broken anything serious.”
Cameron looked just as stressed. “The butler couldn’t really explain what happened over the phone. We’ll just have to wait until we get to the hospital.”
Lucinda’s face was pale, her hands twisted tightly together in her lap. It was obvious she was nervous.
Lydia glanced over at those clenched hands.
Noticing Lydia watching her, Lucinda quickly spoke up. “Mom, Dad, Grandpa’s always been a survivor. Plus, Lydia is here. I’m sure he’s going to be fine.”

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