Chapter 10 I'm Not His Mother
"No," Bianca quickly denied, acting coy and clinging to Erik's arm. "There might be lots of guys out there, but I only love you. Besides, George got ditched by a woman so young, he can't be that good-looking! In all of Phoenix City, you're the only one with a good family background and good looks. I'm so lucky to have you."
Erik smiled at that.
And beside him, Bianca sighed in relief.
The conversation picked up again, becoming lively and harmonious.
In the hospital's surgical ward, Hazel was all by herself, feeling lonely. Her stomach growled, so she grabbed her phone to order some food.
Out of nowhere, she heard Leo's sweet voice at the door. "Mommy!"
Hazel looked up and saw Leo running towards her. She almost jumped out of bed to catch him but then remembered her leg was messed up, so her arms just hung there awkwardly.
Leo saw her and happily ran into her open arms, hugging her tightly. He looked up at her with those big eyes. "Mommy, were you thinking about me too? I missed you so much!"
It was weird for Hazel because she usually hated being touched by strangers, but with Leo, it felt natural. Maybe it was just his cuteness.
She gently patted his head and asked, "Leo, have you eaten yet?"
Leo grinned. "Mommy, I came to eat with you! Daddy says it's lonely to eat alone, so he always eats with me," he snuggled closer, "Mommy, now that I've found you, you won't have to eat alone anymore."
Just then, a man in his fifties walked in and said respectfully, "Ms. Astor, hello, I am Mr. York's private butler. You can call me Zaid."
Two young women in their twenties followed him in.
Hazel looked at him, feeling a bit weirded out but keeping silent.
Zaid pointed to the women and introduced them, "This is Ursa Reynolds and Kaida Saunders. They are the senior caregivers Mr. York has arranged for you. During your hospital stay, they will be at your service. Serve lunch to Ms. Astor and Mr. York," he instructed.
Ursa and Kaida then set up the lunch on the table by Hazel's bed and handed over the utensils. "Ms. Astor, Mr. York, please enjoy."
Hazel thought, 'George's arrangement is way over the top. No need to go this far for me.'
That accidental fire had clearly caused George more significant losses.
"Thank you." Hazel accepted the utensils. She was really hungry, and the food looked amazing.
"It's the first time cooking for Ms. Astor. Do you have any particular preferences or dietary restrictions?" Zaid suddenly put on reading glasses, took out a notebook, and started jotting things down. His serious attitude startled Hazel again.
Hazel was a bit taken aback and slowly said, "No."
Leo chimed in, "Mommy, let's eat!"
Hazel nodded. "Got it." And they dug in happily.
Zaid didn't bother them further, just quietly observed and wrote in his notebook.
Leo whispered, "Mommy, you don't like carrots either? What a coincidence, neither do I!"
Hazel didn't think much of it. Lots of kids didn't like carrots.
After the meal, she thanked Zaid.
Zaid didn't stick around and left quickly, leaving Ursa and Kaida to take care of her.
Hazel glanced at the time and thought it should be Leo's nap time. He looked a bit sleepy after eating.
She was worried she wouldn't be able to move him if he fell asleep here.
Hazel was worried George might get mad if he couldn't find Leo and think she had taken him away.
While she was hesitating, George's tall figure suddenly appeared at the door.
He walked over, broad-shouldered and slim-waisted, with long legs.
As George got closer, Hazel noticed his wrist was wrapped in thick bandages, which she hadn't seen before. But he had just nonchalantly carried her in his arms.
Hazel shifted her gaze and said, "Leo should be sleepy. Kids need their naps."
"Yeah, Leo should take a nap," George agreed.
She pursed her lips. "Then you should take him down."
Just as she was speaking, Leo sat up and asked pitifully, "Mommy, can I sleep here with you?"
Hazel hadn't thought of how to refuse.
Leo asked again, "Mommy, can you sleep with me?"
Hazel couldn't bear to say no. She looked at George.
"I have something to do and need to go out for a while. If Ms. Astor is available, could you please help me with Leo?" George said directly, "Leo just had an acute appendicitis surgery, and the doctor said he needs plenty of rest. Please help me make sure he sleeps well."
Before Hazel could respond, George walked out of the ward.
She thought to herself, 'Does George think he's some kind of bossy CEO? Didn't even ask for my opinion. What's he thinking? Isn't he worried I might take his adorable son away?'
"Mommy," Leo called sweetly from the bed.
Hazel didn't correct him, moved her wheelchair closer to the bed, and said gently, "Have a good sleep, I'll stay with you."
"Thank you, Mommy." Leo tightly hugged Hazel's arm, pressing it to his chest. He quickly fell asleep.
Seeing Leo asleep, Hazel gently pulled her arm out and was about to leave.
Leo, as if about to wake up, hugged her tighter and murmured softly, "Mommy, please don't leave me again, okay?"
Hazel looked at Leo's sleeping face with some heartache. How heartless must Leo's mother be to leave such an adorable child?
Looking at Leo's cute sleeping face, she leaned in and gently kissed his cheek.
As she lifted her head after the kiss, she found that George, who had just left, had somehow returned.
He quietly watched her actions.
Hazel felt instantly awkward.
Caught stealing a kiss from George's son. She cleared her throat to ease the awkwardness. "Leo is too cute."
She pursed her lips and said, "Also, I hope Mr. York can explain to Leo that I am not his mother."
George's brown eyes just looked at her. He always remained silent, making Hazel feel uneasy.
She pondered, 'Did I say something wrong? Why do I feel a familiar sense of oppression whenever George is around? Even without saying a word, he makes me feel his authority. I shouldn't have known him before, right? Let alone offended him.'
Hazel decided to clarify everything at once, "The fire at the engagement party was an accident. Mr. York has already covered my medical expenses, so there's no need to send meals specifically for me. And there's also no need to arrange two caregivers to take care of me. Besides, I hope Mr. York can explain to Leo soon that his mother is someone else."