LOGINEven as he spoke, Otto emptied the cold potatoes from Lucille's plate and replaced them with a fresh, steaming portion. "That potatoes had gone cold. It's not good for your stomach. Eat these while they're hot, and make sure you have plenty."Milena and Joanne exchanged a glance, knowing amusement flickering in their eyes.Milena let out an exaggerated, wistful sigh. "Ah, sons really do grow up and forget their mothers. My potatoes have gone cold too, but no one's rushing to refill my plate."Otto immediately reached for Milena's plate. "Mom, come on. Lucille's the one who's sick right now, isn't she? Here, I'll get you and Joanne fresh, hot plates too."Milena covered her plate with one hand. "Neither of us needs that. We're not so old that we need to be waited on. Just focus on taking care of Lucy."Joanne laughed in agreement. A moment later, she rose to her feet and gave Milena's arm a subtle tug. "Exactly. Cold potatoes aren't very good anyway. Milena, why don't I treat you t
Wanda stopped dead in her tracks, as though some invisible force had pinned her in place. Her chin remained stubbornly raised.A lifetime of privilege had bred in her a deep arrogance and a complete disregard for those she considered beneath her. Lowering herself now seemed almost impossible.At the sight of her defiance, Gordon broke out in a cold sweat. He shot her several frantic looks, but when she failed to respond, he hurriedly turned to Otto with an ingratiating smile."Mr. Westbrook, Wanda is still young and a little rash. She was only acting out of concern for her grandfather, that's all. I'm sure she knows she was wrong. Even if you won't do it for her sake, could you let this go for mine?""Mr. Clancy," Otto cut him off. His tone remained calm and measured, but it left no room for argument. "She seriously offended my friend just now. I want her to apologize in person. That's not asking too much, is it?"The words struck Gordon like a hammer blow, and his heart lurched.
The call connected almost immediately."Mr. Westbrook?" A middle-aged man's anxious, deferential voice came through the speaker, with hurried footsteps audible in the background. "This is Gordon Clancy, director of Renavi Hospital. You... Why would you call me personally? Is there something you need?"His voice carried clearly through the dead-silent room.The arrogant smile froze on Wanda's face. Her two assistants stood rooted to the spot as though paralyzed.Otto's expression remained flat, and his tone betrayed no concern. "Mr. Clancy, someone here is demanding that my friend vacate a special-care room. Since when did Renavi belong to the Vilmer family?""What?!" Gordon's voice jumped several octaves, thick with disbelief and alarm. "Who would dare treat you as though you're unwelcome? Mr. Westbrook, please don't be upset. I'll be right there! Right away!""Good." Otto's gaze flicked coldly toward Wanda, whose face had gone ashen. "Come over here now."The room fell silent a
The door burst open with a crash, kicked hard enough to slam against the wall with a dull thud.Lucille's head snapped up.The intruder was none other than Wanda, who had visited their studio not long ago to discuss a partnership. She wore a sharply tailored pale yellow suit and flawless makeup, though neither could hide the hostility etched across her brow.The same two bodyguard-like assistants followed close behind. The three spread out in a triangular formation, their aggressive posture unmistakable.Wanda was the worst of them. With her chin raised and her eyes sharp as blades, she radiated condescension and arrogance.Her hawklike gaze swept across the room before settling on Lucille and Otto.Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "I wondered who could possibly have enough pull to land a special-care room. And here you two are again."Lucille stared at her in confusion. She had no idea why Wanda had suddenly stormed in, much less what connection she had to the hospital.S
Just then, Otto carried in the four dishes and soup he had finished preparing. The mouthwatering aroma immediately filled the room and drew the attention of all three women."Dinner's ready." Otto set everything on the small table in the room, then walked briskly over to Lucille. "Lucy, how are you feeling? Any better?"Lucille nodded. "Much better."Otto nodded without asking any further questions, then called Joanne and Milena over to eat while the food was still hot.Four light, homestyle dishes and a soup filled the table.Otto introduced them one by one. "Vegetable soup, herb-roasted chicken with potatoes, stuffed eggplant with ground beef, and baked lemon cod."Lucille gazed at the spread before her. Every dish looked and smelled delicious, and a swirl of emotions rose in her chest.Otto really was attentive and thoughtful. His kindness was quiet and unassuming, the kind that slipped into a person's heart before they even noticed.Whoever became his girlfriend one day wou
It was the faint, sun-warmed scent of gardenias, the fragrance she had loved most during her pregnancy.She lifted her gaze. An entire row of freshly blooming white gardenias lined the windowsill.Lucille blinked, momentarily dazed, then instinctively looked back at Otto.He cleared his throat lightly. "I was worried the smell of disinfectant might bother you. I happened to see a flower shop downstairs selling these, so I picked up a few pots."He paused, then added, "I looked it up. Gardenias are supposed to have a calming effect."Something stirred gently in Lucille's heart. She had never expected Otto to be capable of such thoughtfulness.Ever since giving birth to Lily, her entire world seemed to have narrowed to formula, diapers, the baby's cries, and the endless drama with Gideon and the rest of the Prescott family.She had nearly forgotten the small pleasures in life. She had forgotten that she had once been an ordinary girl who loved growing flowers and plants and cared
Holding her swaddled daughter, Lucille Sandwell kept her voice steady, though a hint of hope slipped through. "Gideon, today is our daughter's one-month milestone. Can you come pick us up?"On the other end, Gideon Prescott's voice remained even and unreadable. "Something came up. I'll have the driv
The moment Gideon opened his mouth, Lucille felt her heart drop straight into hell. "Gwen, stop trying to stir things up. Lucy is baby Connor's aunt. We're all family. If she can help, she should. There's extra milk anyway."'Baby Connor. He said the name with such easy intimacy, as if the boy were
After the examination, Lucille remained asleep.The doctor stood in the hospital room and explained her condition to Gwen. "The patient's body is severely depleted after childbirth. She has already suffered a major hemorrhage and undergone emergency treatment, so she is highly prone to hypoglycemia
Grace rushed out of the room in a panic and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Earthquake? Was that an earthquake?"Nancy ran out as well, clutching the crying baby. She had heard the crash, panicked, and bolted for the door barefoot, her handbag still in her hand. She had not even stopped to put on







