The group standing outside the sick room was put in a dilemma as both staying or leaving wasn’t an ideal option either.
As the group stubbornly sought answers from each other’s faces, a nurse approached them with a pill bottle in hand. She shot them a confused look. “Are you looking for somebody?”
Her innocent question announced their existence to the people in the sick room and deprived them of the excuse to leave.
Olivia hastily responded in embarrassment to shake off the nurse’s doubt, “Here’s fine.” The nurse slightly nodded before walking into the sick room.
After hearing the nurse’s voice, Alex involuntarily looked in the direction of the door. Shame overwhelmed him within a second when he landed eyes on Jewel’s face.
I promised her to talk to Mom, but I failed miserably. How could things go south with my mother ending up in the hospital?
At first, Alex planned to talk to his mother and let her see the situation from his angle. However, she was an assertive woman. She didn’t even want to listen to him in the first place as she clung to a certain thought from the beginning. She stood firm and refused to hear him.
Triggered by her attitude, he spilled the words without caring how the harsh words hurt her. At last, he slammed the door and walked away in anger. How can I even make Jewel believe that I can convince Mom and give her a happy future?
He didn’t know what to think. His mother’s condition alone was exhausting enough. He couldn’t quite put his regret into words. Just when he fumbled for words, Stefanie began, “Why are you here? Who permitted you to come? Alex, get them out of here.”
Alex scowled. ‘Mom, they’re here to visit you. What’s with your attitude?” Stefanie snorted. “What’s with my attitude? Are you serious? I’m hospitalized all thanks to them!”
Alex paid no mind to his mother. Instead, he took the fruit basket from Jewel. “Don’t mind her, Jewel. Take a seat.”
He also asked Eugene and Olivia to sit. The pair exchanged a look. Serious expressions fell on their faces as both agreed that they shouldn’t be there.
Walking over to the bed, Jewel fixed her gaze on Stefanie, who occupied the bed, before gently asking. “Are you feeling better, Mrs. Road?”
Stefanie glared at Jewel in return. Her gaze was full of venom like a pair of poisoned daggers. “Stop your act! All I want is for you to not drive a wedge between me and my son. That’s all.” Jewel fidgeted at the harsh words. ‘Mrs. Road, I didn’t do that.”
Stefanie felt her blood boil. “You didn’t? Then how come my son gets flared up and decides to cut ties with me, his mother? I told you to stay away from my son! Can’t you understand?”
Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could Mom insult Jewel in front of us as if we don’t exist? He looked at his mother in disappointment. For a moment, he felt like the woman on the bed was a stranger to him.
He quickly interjected, “Stop it, Mom! Jewel didn’t say anything to me. Instead, she has been insisting on breaking up with me, but I refuse. I’m the one to blame! Don’t implicate the innocents.”
“Innocent? You mean her? Stefanie pointed at Jewel. “You’ll respect me without her. Stop defending her, Alex. The firmer you defend her, the deeper I hate her.”
After screwing the IV bottle shut, the nurse spoke up. “All right. Stop fighting. The patient needs to rest. You can fight all you want after she gets well.”
After that, she leaned over to give Stefanie the injection. Olivia quietly approached them and asked, “What’s inside?”
The nurse paused for a moment before mumbling a vague answer, “It’s to reduce inflammation.” Olivia slightly arched her brows. Reduce inflammation, she said. Why don’t I believe her?
Stefanie followed Olivia’s eyes and found her watching the infusion bottle. Afraid that she might catch something, Stefanie mocked, “Now what? Haven’t you had enough that you want to continue in the hospital?”
After that, she turned to Eugene. “Eugene, do you have any idea how she talked to me? She accused me of abusing my authority in a poor and aggressive manner. She has no respect for me! You need to teach her a lesson.”
