Chapter 120: Lucy 

Lucy’s POV “She’s fine,” Kaiden said, the words coming out so easily, like he’d just lifted a weight off my shoulders. 

“Thank God,” I sighed, feeling my body relax for the first time since the chaos I have been in. I couldn’t help myself–l slapped Kaiden lightly on the arm. “Why the hell did you play that long pause? You know how scared I was.” 

He grinned, but there was something a little darker in his smile. “It’s still nothing compared to what she did to me.” 

I raised an eyebrow, confused. “What do you mean?” 

Kaiden leaned back slightly, his arms crossing as he looked at me. “Your mom is a pain in the ass. She’s the worst mom in the world, for sure.” He shook his head dramatically before continuing. “But… she also loves you in her own twisted way. She injured herself while holding onto Ross, trying to keep him from escaping and hurting you. But she’s fine now. It wasn’t a big hit compared to the one he gave to Barbara.” Kaiden paused, his lips twitching as if trying to hold back a laugh. “I just wonder if he likes your mom a little more, or if he hates Barbara to the core.” 

I couldn’t help but chuckle at his dark humor, even though I knew the situation wasn’t funny at all. It was all just a mess. 

“Second option seems more acceptable. Because there is no way anyone can like my mom for real.” I joked, trying to lighten the mood, and Kaiden laughed, a genuine chuckle that made the heaviness in the room feel a little less suffocating. 

Once the laughter faded, I couldn’t help but let my concern creep back in. I glanced at him, my heart still racing. “Where is she? Can I meet her? My mom?” 

Kaiden’s face softened, but there was a tenderness mixed with a slight worry in his eyes. “She’s resting now. Don’t worry, though, I’ll let you know the second she wakes up.” 

Before I could say anything else, a nurse stepped in with a tray, her white uniform reflecting the bright hospital lights. She placed the bed table next to me with practiced ease, setting down a steaming bowl of soup. The rich, savory scent made my stomach growl, reminding me how hungry I was. 

“And till then,” Kaiden said, his voice soothing, as he helped the nurse settle the table closer to my bed. He grabbed the spoon, dipped it into the soup, and held it up to me. “Let’s have something to energize.” 

I watched as he gently blew on the soup to cool it, the steam curling into the air like wisps of white smoke. I opened my mouth, accepting the spoonful. The warmth spread through me, slowly but surely, making me feel more alive, more present. For a moment, the world outside the room seemed distant, like none of the chaos could touch me here. 

After we finished, I felt a bit more grounded, though the questions still burned in my mind. I glanced up at Kaiden. “What about Barbara? How is she?” 

Kaiden’s smile faded. His jaw clenched, and there was an icy sharpness to his gaze when he spoke. “She’s fine, too. But the moment she’s discharged, she’ll be sent straight to prison.” 

The anger in his voice was unmistakable. I could sense there was more to the story, but I didn’t push him to explain further. 

The next day, I felt much better–almost back to my usual self–though I didn’t need any help, Kaiden insisted on sticking by my side. His sense of ‘protection‘ seemed to be in full swing, and honestly, I couldn’t say no to him. We walked together to the room where my mom had been admitted. 

The moment I stepped inside and saw her lying there, with a dressing on her forehead, something inside me snapped. My heart squeezed, and before I could stop myself, I ran toward her, throwing my arms around her like I was five years old again, crying over a scraped knee. 

“Mom!” I wailed, sounding like an absolute mess. “I’m so sorry! You have to go through all of this because of me! I’m sorry! It might scar your forehead! It’s all my fault!” I practically buried my face in her hospital gown, my tears soaking into the fabric as I clung to her, desperate for comfort, but mostly just feeling completely ridiculous. 

I heard a faint sigh before my mom’s stiff hand patted me on the back, as if she were gently shooing away a fly. “Okay, okay,” she said in that tone of hers–cool, indifferent, as always. Nothing about her sounded remotely concerned or affectionate,. which made me cry even harder, like a little kid throwing a tantrum. 

She pulled back, giving me just enough room to see her cringing at the hug, like she’d never experienced anything more awkward in her life. She raised an eyebrow and made a face. “Hugging doesn’t suit us,” she said, and then her lips twitched with the smallest smirk, “I prefer the old way.” 

As soon as my eyes landed on the dressing on her forehead lost again. “It might leave a scar!” I cried out dramatically, my voice breaking like a child’s. My hands flew Successfully unlocked! my tears, but they were already streaming down uncontrollably. 

For the first time ever, I saw my mom’s voice crack–like a tiny, unexpected chink in her cold, indifferent armor. She reached up and wiped away my tears with a cringe, like she was wiping away a little kid’s potty bump. “Okay, Okay. Don’t cry,” she said, her tone still stern but with something warmer behind it. For a moment, I almost forgot how tough she could be. 

1/3 

Chapter 120: Lucy 

I sniffled, still sniffling like a baby. “But what if it scars? What if people see it forever?” 

My mom sighed, leaning back slightly. “I’ve already talked to West Sterlingo’s best plastic surgeon,” she said with a touch of confidence that only she could manage in a hospital bed. “They’ll make sure there’s no scar left.” 

Then, she looked up at Kaiden, who was standing behind me, and then back at me. Her eyes flicked between us, back and forth, as if she were processing something–each glance stretching out like an eternity. Finally, she gave a small nod, her expression turning serious. 

“Call Dan,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “He must be around somewhere. He went out to take an important call.” 

I furrowed my brow, not fully understanding. “But… why, Mom?” 

My mom didn’t answer me. Instead, she turned to Kaiden, her voice suddenly more demanding. “Kaiden,” she said, the sharpness in her voice returning, “Go. Bring Dan. RIGHT NOW.” 

To be continued… 

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