The Ex-con Queen Strikes Back novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6 Jade’s Apology

Jaxon knew the score: his role as hospital director trumped his troublemaking daughter.

Without a second thought, he turned and slapped Jade hard across the face. “You fool! I trusted you with Mr. Lambert’s care, and this is what you do?”

Jade staggered, her vision sparking as she clutched her stinging cheek.

She gaped at her father, shock twisting her face. “Dad, I’m your daughter! You’re picking some nobody over me? Are you crazy?”

“Crack!” Jaxon’s hand struck again, the second slap echoing through the room.

Humiliated in front of everyone, Jade’s face burned with fury.

She opened her mouth to curse, but Jaxon’s glare froze her, his eyes flashing a warning she didn’t dare test.

Jade shrank back, her defiance crumbling under his cold stare, and she bit her lip.

Satisfied she’d quieted down, Jaxon forced a smile and turned to Carlos. “Mr. Lambert, my daughter’s young and reckless. Please, don’t hold it against her.”

“Reckless, huh?” Skylar said, crossing her arms, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “That’s one way to spin it, Mr. Lane.”

Jaxon caught the dig but swallowed his anger, shooting her a poisonous look before facing Carlos again.

“Mr. Lambert, she’s cared for you for years,” he begged, his jaw tight. “No credit, fine, but she’s worked hard. Please, let this go just once.”

He grabbed Jade’s arm, forcing her. “Apologize to Mr. Lambert, now!”

Jade hit the floor, tears streaming as she choked out, “Mr. Lambert, I’m sorry. I screwed up. I’ll study harder, I swear, I won’t mess up again.”

Carlos’s voice was steady but firm. “You’re apologizing to the wrong person.”

Jaxon got the hint and turned, turning to Skylar. “Ms. Stone, I didn’t raise her right. Please, be the bigger person and forgive her.”

He nudged Jade hard. “Apologize to Ms. Stone!”

Jade’s fists tightened, her body shaking with rage.

There was no way she’d apologize to Skylar, or she could never live with the shame.

She glared up at Skylar, her eyes burning with defiance, daring her to back off.

Skylar met her gaze with a cool smile. “Ms. Lane, you promised me a bow and an apology if I saved Mr. Lambert. Time to pay up.”

Jade blinked, stunned that Skylar would actually hold her to it, her mind racing for a way out.

“What, chickening out now?” Skylar asked, her tone soft but heavy, pressing like a weight.

Jade squirmed, desperate to dodge the shame. “Ms. Stone, we’re both in medicine. No need to make this messy, right?”

Skylar’s laugh was sharp. “If I hadn’t outdone you, I’d be the one apologizing right now, wouldn’t I?”

She leaned in, her voice slicing. “Hurry up. Mr. Lambert’s a patient—he needs rest.”

Jaxon leaned close to Jade, his whisper harsh. “Jade, don’t make me do this for you.”

Jade’s nails dug into her palms, her face twisting with resentment. “Ms. Stone, I’m sorry.”

Skylar stayed quiet, her face giving nothing away.

Carlos and Yana kept silent, their expressions neutral.

Jade stayed put, legs numb, her mind boiling with curses aimed at Skylar.

Jaxon cleared his throat, his voice cautious. “Mr. Lambert, I’ll take my daughter and leave. We won’t bother you anymore.”

Carlos glanced at Skylar, seeing she didn’t object, and gave a short nod. “Hmm.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lambert!” Jaxon said, relief pouring out. “We’re leaving, right now!”

He pulled Jade up and hurried her out of the room.

With them gone, the ward went quiet, the tension fading like mist.

“Mr. Lambert’s stable now,” Skylar said, her tone professional. “I’ll leave you be. Call me if you need anything.”

She then turned to go.

Yana’s calm broke. She grabbed Skylar’s hand, her eyes welling up. “Sweetheart, don’t go. It’s me—your mom. Don’t you recognize me?”

Skylar’s breath caught, her brow creasing. “Mrs. Lambert, you’re mistaken.”

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