"You stay here. Mommy will go check on her." Sophie's attention shifted to Vivienne's poisoning incident, completely unaware of the subtle movement at the corner of Cedric's lips, the slight curl of his fingers, or even the blink of his tightly shut eyelids.As Sophie prepared to inquire about Vivienne's condition, a warm hand grasped hers, halting her departure."Don't go," came a hoarse, deep voice, resonating with familiarity, etched into her bones.Instantly, her body stiffened, her mind blanking, as if ensnared by a spell. 'Was I hearing things? How else could I hear Cedric's voice?'"Soph." The hoarse voice persisted, clearer now. It echoed from ears to heart, quickening her pulse.Her eyes reddened, her rigid form gradually relaxing. Mechanically, she turned to find those familiar eyes, open and tenderly focused on her. 'He's awake!'Cherry's eyes widened in disbelief. 'He's been asleep for so long, yet he wakes as soon as that woman is hospitalized? How different from TV!
"Is Dr. Zegler still here? Please ask him to come over, and also notify the Carlsons." Sophie said as she got up from the bed, distancing herself from Cedric.However, her heart was still pounding rapidly because of the kiss."Okay, I'll go get Dr. Zegler right away." The nurse came in hurriedly and dashed out even more anxiously.Dr. Zegler had already gone home after work, but upon hearing the news, he rushed to the hospital immediately. After examining Cedric carefully, a smile gradually spread across his face.-"Dr. Zegler, how's Cedric?" Melissa had rushed to the hospital upon learning her son had woken up. She could not hold back her excitement and tears, disregarding her grace."Don't worry, Madam Carlson, Mr. Carlson's condition turns out much more optimistic than I expected. His consciousness is very clear, and his bodily functions are much stronger compared to similar patients when they awaken from a coma. Mr. Carlson is indeed an extraordinary person—even his ability
"What?! Your father's awake? Really? Cedric has woken up? That's great!" Vivienne's expression froze for a moment before a look of ecstatic joy spread across her face.However, this only intensified Tristan's despair. When he had been comatose and nearly died previously, his mother hadn't shown this level of happiness upon his awakening.Lost in her ecstasy, Vivienne failed to notice Tristan's changing expression. She removed the needle from the back of her hand and struggled to rise from the bed. "I need to see Cedric. I'm the only one who should be with him.""Mom, that's enough!" Tristan's slender frame blocked her path, his usually composed face now tinged with anger."Have you not done enough? Haven't you lost enough? Why are you still this stubborn? Mom, I'll wait for you to get out of prison. Then we can leave this place and start a new life, okay?" His once innocent eyes were filled with sadness. He looked up and pleaded, "I don't want a father anymore. I just want my mothe
"No, it's not like that. You did love me. We were together in college! I know I made mistakes, but everything I did was to stay by your side!" Vivienne was on the verge of bursting into tears.Cedric's furrowed brows tightened as the most childish mistake of his life was brought up. "If you think I truly loved you because of that, I apologize. But I didn't date you out of love—it was just to provoke Sophie. I didn't want to admit that I had fallen in love with her first, nor did I want to accept Grandpa's arrangement. I also didn't want her to be with me just because it was expected of her."He just had not anticipated that one youthful mistake would lead to the current situation, and even nearly cause the death of the person he deeply loved."You're lying! You're lying!" Despite having received the same answer before, Vivienne still could not accept it. She shook her head vigorously, eventually slumping to the floor.Deep down, however, she knew more than anyone else that this man
Tristan's small face bore an unusually calm expression, so serene that the subsequent sound of his voice felt unnervingly tranquil. "Mom, I preferred being Ricky over being Tristan. I was so happy as Ricky, but as Tristan, I just feel sadness."Vivienne appeared as though she had been hit with a sudden shock, her anger and frenzy quenched as if by a deluge of icy water. Her eyes reddened instantly. "It's Mommy's fault. Mommy has faced hardships in life, and I don't want you to experience the same. I may have used you, but I truly love you."How could she not love the child she had carried to full term, enduring all the struggles of pregnancy and childbirth?"I know, so please don't do anything bad again." Tristan's tears streaked down his calm yet tense face.The guard, who had gotten his wound treated, stood behind him, watching Vivienne, who had hurt him. He gnashed his teeth hatefully but could only act professionally, "Vivienne Kerrigan, please return to your ward immediately."
Vivienne withdrew her gaze and turned to Cedric. "Cedric, I know you hate me, but for the sake of my sincere love for you, can you take good care of Tristan for me? Consider it my birthday present for him this year.""I don't want a birthday present! I only want you to be with me!" Tristan's tiny hands trembled incessantly at his sides, yet he dared not step forward, resigned to endure in fear.Vivienne's tears flowed uncontrollably. "Mommy doesn't deserve to be with you anymore. Ricky, I'm sorry. Sophie, though you're the person I've hated most, today I ask you for a favor. Please, take care of Ricky for me. Can you promise?"All the anger and hatred within Sophie suddenly dissipated, replaced by tears in her eyes. After a prolonged silence, she met Vivienne's hopeful gaze and replied, "To me, he's always been an innocent and pitiable child.""Thank you," Vivienne whispered, a smile playing on her lips as the wind rustled around her, growing louder and brisker. The madness in her
Five days later.The sky was gloomy, and the cold wind blew repeatedly, but it could not disperse the large dark clouds looming overhead.Evander supported Cedric, dressed in a black suit with a small white flower pinned to his blazer.Tristan was also dressed in black, his slender body standing straight as he calmly gazed at the photo on the tombstone, not shedding a single tear.His mother had left him with a birthday he would never forget: Making him an abandoned child."Mr. Carlson, we can leave now," Evander said with a sigh.Even though Vivienne had brought it upon herself, her sudden absence still brought a sense of sorrow.Cedric nodded, turned to look at Tristan, reached out, and took his tiny hand. "Let's go home already.""Home?" Tristan looked a little confused."Yes, home. From now on, wherever I am, it'll be your home too," Cedric reassured.After five years of being father and son, even though they were not biologically related, they had formed a bond. Moreover
Jeff frowned as he noticed her targeting Sophie again. "What's wrong with Mrs. Carrie cooking for Soph at her place? If Cedric wants to eat her cooking, he can go over at any time. It's not like he doesn't have legs."Melissa wanted to retort but was stopped by Matthew who grabbed her arm. "Father is right. If Cedric wants to eat what Mrs. Carrie cooks, he can always go over.""How's that the same!?" Melissa stomped on his foot in frustration.'Damn it! Could he also want Sophie to return to this family?'"Tristan must be hungry. Let's eat," Matthew intervened, excusing himself and heading to the dining room first.On one side was his biological father, and on the other side was his wife. He did not want to offend either of them.After dinner, Matthew took Tristan to see his newly decorated bedroom.Cedric wanted to follow them to take a look but was stopped by Jeff."Cedric, come to the study with me," Jeff said.Cedric followed him into the study, and Jeff closed the door be