Chapter 268 Unthinkable
Julia looked at Nicole’s struggling expression and she reached out to comfort her. “Nicole, don’t be sad. I have heard Richard talk about Colton. Although he is cold, he is a good guy. Don’t worry.”
Nicole remembered Olivia’s words in the Gardner Residence. Olivia was determined not to let Nicole have anything to do with Colton despite Nicole not intending to rely on the Gardner Family.
Nicole shook her head. “I’m not worried about Colton. It is the Gardner Family I’m worried about.”
She did not hide anything from Julia and told everything to her. “The Gardner Family is huge, and their businesses rank high in the world. However, there’s too much drama going on in the Gardner Family, and it is unsuitable for Hayden and I.”
Julia knew what Nicole was concerned about, so she patted her friend’s shoulder and said thoughtfully, “Don’t worry. Just take it one step at a time.”
Nicole gulped and in the end, she voiced out her worries. “If Hayden is Colton’s son, the Gardner Family will not leave Hayden alone. I can’t live without Hayden.”
Julia understood Nicole’s thoughts. For a few years, the mother and son have depended on each other and they had a deep relationship. It was impossible to separate them.
“However, you said Olivia firmly disagrees with you and Hayden entering Gardner Family. You don’t want them anyway, so the Gardner Family won’t force you for now.”
Nicole closed her eyes. Although Olivia’s words hurt, Nicole could fight back because of Olivia’s objection.
Nicole didn’t hate Colton per se, but that didn’t mean she wanted to have anything to do with him.
She didn’t need an outsider’s support to raise Hayden.
“That’s true. There’s nothing much I can do for now.” She frowned because she never thought that the man five years ago was really Colton.
Julia comforted Nicole for a while. Nicole, however, felt a headache coming on, and she came up with an excuse to leave before long. She knew Nicole was in a bad mood, so she did not stop the latter.
When Nicole returned home, Hayden was in Whitney’s arms as the two argued on the couch like children.
Whitney instantly noticed something was wrong when Nicole came back. Although there was not much expression on Nicole’s face, there was a sense of frustration that was being emitted from her.
However, Whitney did not say anything as Hayden was there. She only murmured with a smile, “Nicole, you’re early today. Has the banquet finished?”
Nicole shook her head with a forced smile. “No, the lot of them kept flattering each other and I was tired, so I came back earlier,” she muttered.
Seeing that she was back, he immediately rushed off the couch and waddled over to throw himself at her. Hugging onto her leg, he cutely said, “Mom, you’re so beautiful today. Please take a rest if you’re tired. Don’t tire yourself.”
Nicole had no idea why the tears welled up in her eyes as she heard Hayden’s thoughtful words. She reached out and held her son in her arms. When he was born, he was tiny, so tiny that one would feel he was too small when they held him.
Hayden was born prematurely. Coupled with them being poor, he was raised on a tightrope.
As she had raised him all by herself, she couldn’t imagine how she would live without her son.
She closed her eyes and hugged him. After a long time, she finally calmed down and suppressed her sad expression.
“Hayden, it’s getting late. You have to get up early tomorrow. Whitney will get you all cleaned up and ready for bed, alright? I’m really tired, so I’m going to rest now.”
Hayden nodded obediently with a smile. “Mom, you can rest now. I will behave.”
Nicole nodded. When she turned away from Hayden, she couldn’t hold on anymore and tears began to fall from her eyes. She quickened her pace and hurried to her room.
