CHAPTER 17

Returning home in the evening, Fiona freshened up, poured herself a cup of hot water, and took her medication.

The last accident had left her pregnant, and this time, she couldn't afford to make the same mistake again, but Gabriel, that jerk, was nothing short of a nightmare.

After tidying up, she lay in bed scrolling through her phone until she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she woke up early, made some millet porridge and stir-fried some greens, packed them into a lunchbox, and rode her bike to the Hospital. Usually, she could only bring meals to her foster mother during lunch and in the afternoon, but recently, with her shifts ending at midnight, she had some free time and could also bring breakfast.

Entering the inpatient ward, she saw her foster mother, Margaret, dressed in a dark blue floral chiffon blouse and black pants, helping her foster father, Alexander Hayes, wash his face.

Margaret’s hair was now completely silver, and time had left its marks on her face, with wrinkles becoming more visible.

"Oh, Alex, why haven't you woken up yet? You're lying there enjoying yourself while our girl is out in the wind and rain every day. Besides working, she has to cook three meals a day for me. It breaks my heart to see her like this," she murmured while wiping Alexander's face.

Fiona felt a pang of sadness but walked in with a smile. "Mom, what's there to feel bad about? I'd be idle otherwise. Come on, let's eat."

She placed the insulated lunchbox on the table, took the washcloth from her hands, and carried the basin to the bathroom.

"Fiona, you don't need to cook for me anymore. A simple steamed bun in the morning is enough."

Saint Virtue Hospital was a high-end private hospital, and naturally, the food around it was quite expensive. To save money, Margaret usually only ate steamed buns for all three meals. Fiona couldn't bear to see her mother working so hard every day.

"Mom, hurry up and eat before the food gets cold," she said, stepping out of the bathroom with a bright smile, trying to appear as if nothing was wrong. "How's Dad been doing lately?"

"His fingers move occasionally, but we still don't know when he'll wake up.” Margaret sighed, opening the thermos and starting to eat the millet porridge.

Fiona didn't stay idle either. She sat by Alexander's bed and began to massage him.

"Look, Dad is showing some reactions. I've been thinking, we should take him back to our hometown in the next couple of days."

Halfway through the meal, Margaret glanced at her. "Look at your face. You used to be such a beautiful girl. Just to pay for our medical bills, you had to humble yourself in front of the Darwin Family and even disguise yourself. I…I feel so sorry for you."

Even though they had transferred to Saint Virtue Hospital, her parents still believed it was owned by the Darwin Family.

"How are you going to find a partner looking like this?" Margaret added, her eyes already red and choked with emotion.

"Oh, Mom, why do you keep bringing this up? I've told you many times, the Darwin Family doesn't want outsiders to know I look like Tessa. Disguising myself makes it easier for me to work. It's convenient and saves me a lot of trouble. Hahaha..." she laughed playfully.

"That still doesn't make it right!" Margaret pretended to be angry. "Your dad is lying in bed every day, and I'm suffocating here. In a few days, I'll take him back to our hometown."

After all, he was getting old, and she and her husband, Alexander, depended on each other. She was genuinely afraid that he might not wake up if he kept sleeping.

But she couldn't bear to see her daughter suffer.

"Mom, if you want to go back and rest for a while, just go. I can hire a caregiver for the hospital."

"Oh, you stubborn girl! This is settled."

"Mom..."

"Don't 'Mom' me. Instead of wasting time here, you should be finding yourself a boyfriend."

“So, if I find a boyfriend, you'll let Dad stay in the hospital?"

Suddenly, Fiona understood something. Her mom was worried that she was too busy and, with her unattractive face, would have trouble finding a partner. Rural folks didn't have the same open-mindedness as city people. They just wanted her to find a good match as soon as possible.

"Exactly. And you don't have a boyfriend, do you?"

"Who says I don't? I've had one for a while; I just didn't tell you."

"Stop fooling me. With that face, even I can't stand it. Who would like you?"

“Fine, I'll bring my boyfriend over to meet you tomorrow."

Fiona smiled at her mother, but inside, she was worried. Where on earth was she going to find a boyfriend by tomorrow? After leaving the hospital, she continued her food delivery job and then went to work at the Club at 5 pm.

The security team had a meeting in the security office before starting their patrols. She found Drake and nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, Drake, can I ask you a favor?"

"What's up, Fiona?" Drake asked.

"Well... are you busy the next couple of days? I need some help."

"Oh no, I’d love to help but my godfather's in the hospital, and I just got time off from the manager. I have to go back tomorrow."

"Oh, never mind then," she said, pursing her lips. She then went to ask two other colleagues she was close to. One had just become a father and was busy with his newborn, while the other was having relationship issues and didn't dare to commit.

Fiona felt utterly frustrated. She couldn't help but vent to the three of them, "You all have things going on. Who am I supposed to ask to pretend to be my boyfriend and meet my mom?"

Just as she finished speaking, someone suddenly walked up and put an arm around her shoulders. "Pretend to be your boyfriend? You should have asked me for such a great opportunity."

Grant had appeared out of nowhere.

"Mr. Hamilton, can he do it?"

"Yes, Fiona, look at Mr. Hamilton. He's handsome and charming, bringing him to meet your mom would definitely make a good impression."

"Mr. Hamilton, help out Fiona, will you? The rest of us are tied up these next few days," said the three security buddies, who had a good relationship with Grant.

Fiona knew that once she took him as her boyfriend to the hospital, she would certainly have to introduce him to her mother later. Therefore, they really couldn't spare the time.

Grant glanced at her, frowned, and clicked his tongue. "What, you think I can't pull it off? Pretending to be a boyfriend is my specialty, but what's in it for me?"

Fiona, unable to find a more suitable candidate, had no choice but to agree to his offer. After thinking for a moment, she said, "If you pull it off, I'll treat you to some skewers."

"Deal."

"Alright, I'll call you tomorrow at noon."

After making arrangements with Grant, she went back to work while Grant, as usual, gathered a few of his rowdy friends to sing karaoke in a private room.

********

The next day at noon.

Fiona prepared lunch for her mother and, with the lunchbox in hand, called Grant before heading out. "I'm about to leave. Meet me at Saint Virtue Hospital."

Half an hour later, when she arrived at the entrance of Saint Virtue Hospital, she saw him leaning against a sports car, dressed in a suit, hair slicked back, wearing sunglasses, and smoking a cigarette.

She parked her electric scooter and walked towards him, unable to hold back her criticism.

"Dressed so flashy, my mom will see through you in a second."