N nced at Damon, her eyes zing with anger. “Damon, you’re such a jerk!”
“Fifty seconds left,” Damon replied, his tone t
His expression was cold, and the icy glint in his eyes sent chills through her.
“Fine, I agree,” N finally conceded.
She was resolute–she couldn’t bear the thought of losing Mason again.
Damon didn’t seem surprised by her surrender. He answered coldly, “He’s in Room 302.”
Without looking back, N hurried down the hall.
When she reached the door, she stopped abruptly, taking a deep breath. Her hand trembled as she grasped the doorknob, slowly pushing the door open.
Even though she had tried to prepare herself, the sight of Mason hit her harder than expected. Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
In just a few days, he had lost weight, his face pale and gaunt. He looked utterly defeated.
“Buddy…” N’s voice broke, tears spilling over. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
Mason turned his head, disbelief flickering across his face. As soon as he saw her, the dullness in his eyes vanished, reced by a spark of life.
“Mommy!” he cried, leaping off the bed and rushing into her arms.
N crouched quickly, catching him in a tight embrace. “Mommy’s here. Don’t be scared. I won’t leave you again. No one’s going to take you away.”
As Mason buried his face into her shoulder, the familiar scent of gardenias enveloped him, and his tears flowed freely.
“I missed you so much, Mommy,” he sobbed.
“I missed you too,” N whispered, gently rubbing his back. “But no more tears now, okay?”
She soothed him until his sobs turned to quiet sniffles.
“Mommy, are you taking me home? I don’t want to stay here. I want to go home… Mason’s voice wavered.
N paused, her hand stilling as she wiped his tear–streaked face.
After a moment, she answered softly, “We can’t go home just yet, sweetie. You’re still sick and need to stay here until you get better. But once you’re well, we’ll go home.”
“But I <b>don’t </b>want to stay here! I hate that mean daddy! I don’t want him to be my dad!” Masonined,
“Okay, okay, we won’t let him be your dad. But you need to get better first. Also, you have to promise Mommy that you won’t do anything so dangerous again. Hearing <i>you </i>jumped from the second floor nearly gave me a heart attack!” N said, her voice strained with concern.
As she spoke, she picked Mason up and gently ced him back on the bed.
“That’s only because that mean dad wouldn’t let me see you and locked me up!” Mason eximed, frustration evident in his voice.
N frowned. “But that doesn’t mean you can hurt yourself to get what you want. Have you forgotten what I taught you?”
Feeling a pang of guilt, Mason lowered his head and mumbled, “No matter the situation, the most important thing is to protect myself.”
“Since you remember, why would you do something like this?” N asked softly, her expression a mixture of worry and sadness.
Mason pouted, his voice weak. “Because I wanted to see you, and I didn’t want to be separated from you…
71
As the tears Mason had been holding back finally spilled over, N’s heart softened.
<b>“</b>Alright, let’s not talk about that anymore. I promise I won’t leave you again, okay?” she said gently.
Mason nodded, sniffling. “Mm.”
Just then, the door to the hospital ward opened, and Luca walked in, carrying a food container.
“Ms. Kinsey, this is from Mr. Sumner. Mr. Mason hasn’t eaten in several days,” he said as he approached. N reached out to take it. “Thank you.”
“Of course. I’ll be right outside, so call me if you need anything,” Luca replied before exiting the room. After Luca left, N ced the food container on the table beside the bed. She opened it and set the meal in front of Mason.
Seeing the simple vegetable soup and a few side dishes, disappointment flickered across Mason’s face. He looked up at N and pleaded, “Mommy, I want a fried drumstick…”
“We can’t have that right now. You need to eat light while you’re in the hospital. Once you’re discharged, I’ll make it for you, okay?” N coaxed him with a reassuring smile.
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