The Call Boy I Met in Paris – Episode 75
“Justin, no!” Sophie screamed.
He turned in time to shield her. The blow meant for Sophie struck him instead, and blood spread across his shirt as officers seized Karen and Stella.
“Justin, are you okay?” Sophie dropped beside him the moment her restraints were cut. His eyes struggled to remain open.
Patrick helped lift him. Sophie begged him to stay awake all the way to the ambulance, repeating his name as though it could anchor him to her.
At the hospital, the doctor finally said Justin would survive. Karen and Stella had been arrested, and the recorded confession recovered through police equipment ended the mystery surrounding Sophie’s mother.
Sophie refused to leave Justin’s bedside. “I need to be here when he wakes.”
“You should not be anywhere near him,” an elegant woman said from the doorway.
Sophie stood. “I am sorry. Who are you?”
“Justin Lake’s mother.” She looked at Sophie with cold appraisal. “I normally do not interfere in my son’s personal affairs. Then I met you. Trouble follows wherever you go.”
Sophie tried to explain the kidnapping, but Mrs. Lake ordered her not to disturb Justin and took her into a private lounge.
She placed a check on the table. “Ten million dollars. Leave my son.”
“I am not a gold digger. I do not want your money.”
“Then consider another offer.” Mrs. Lake knew about Susan’s heart condition and the Paris specialist who had stopped accepting patients. “He is my friend. I can secure treatment if you leave Justin.”
Sophie’s refusal died when Kendall called. Susan had collapsed at Sophie’s home and was being rushed to the hospital.
“Who do you love more?” Mrs. Lake asked. “Susan or Justin?”
The choice was cruel because Susan’s life depended on treatment Sophie could not obtain alone. She looked through the lounge window at Justin’s room, remembering his promise that nothing could replace her.
Sophie signed the separation papers with a shaking hand. She left the money untouched, accepting only the medical arrangement for Susan.
Before Justin woke, Sophie disappeared from his life.