Chapter 137
As the taxi screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, the bright lights of the emergency entrance illuminated the darkening evening. I quickly paid the driver and rushed out to help him, my concern etched on my face. "I'm fine," he insisted
"You're not fine," I said firmly, supporting him as he winced in pain. "You need medical attention, now." The hospital's automatic doors slid open, and we stepped into the sterile environment, the scent of disinfectant and antiseptic filling our nostrils.
He protested, but I flagged down a nurse, and soon the medical staff was swarming around us. I sighted who had been waiting anxiously in the hospital lobby rushed over, her eyes wide with worry.
The medical team whisked him away for further treatment, and the woman turned to me. "What happened to him?" she asked, her tone softer.
I explained how the injury had reopened when he came to see me, and the woman's expression turned thoughtful. "Did he do anything else?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Did he go anywhere else?"
I shook my head. "No, he just came to see me."
The woman nodded, seeming to process this information. As she turned to leave, I called out to her. "Ma'am?"
She turned back, and I took a deep breath. "I'm going to say something that might be hard to hear. If he's your son, he will surely forgive you. It's just hard for him to accept the fact that you're his mother."
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, and she asked, "How did you know?"
My eyes met hers, and I said softly, "I overheard when you both were talking,I'm sorry."
The woman's expression softened slightly, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of sadness in her eyes.
As I stood there, frozen in uncertainty, the woman's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint. "You're his girlfriend, right?" she asked, her voice gentle, yet inquisitive.
I nodded, my cheeks flushing with a shy smile, as I felt a flutter in my chest. The assumption caught me off guard, but I couldn't deny the connection that bound me to him. My eyes dropped, and I fidgeted with my hands, feeling a bit self-conscious about being perceived as his partner.
The woman's smile broadened, and she took a step closer, her voice taking on a warm, friendly tone. "You're pretty," she said, her words sending a wave of surprise through me. I murmured a hesitant thank you, my face growing warmer as I struggled to find my footing in this unexpected conversation.
Just as I was starting to feel more at ease, she suggested, "Let's go have coffee." Her words hung in the air, and I hesitated, my eyes darting to my phone. The time stared back at me, a harsh reminder of the late hour. "I'm not sure," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as uncertainty crept in.
But the woman's reassuring smile put me at ease. "Don't worry, I'll drop you off," she promised. "I'll explain to the principal." Her words were like a balm to my frazzled nerves, and I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
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As we settled into the cozy coffee shop just a stone's throw from the hospital, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us. The waiter, efficient and attentive, had already taken our order and was now serving us steaming cups of rich, velvety coffee. I wrapped my hands around the warm cup, feeling the gentle heat seep into my palms.
The woman, her eyes locked onto mine, smiled softly as I took my first sip. "Take your time," she said, her voice warm and inviting. I nodded my gratitude, savoring the complex flavors of the coffee. The balance of sweetness and bitterness was perfect, and I couldn't help but let out a small sigh of satisfaction.
As I set my cup down, the woman began to speak, her voice tinged with a deep sadness. "A lot of things have transpired, Sarah. I thought he'd forgive me, but I realize now that I wasn't the mother I should have been."
I leaned forward, my expression empathetic. "Whatever happened, I'm sure you had your reasons," I said gently, trying to offer some solace.
The woman's gaze dropped, and she shook her head, her voice laced with regret. "That's not enough, is it? Abandoning him, I mean. A good mother wouldn't abandon her child, no matter the circumstances."
The pain and guilt in her eyes were palpable, and I felt a pang of sympathy for this woman, who was clearly grappling with the weight of her past decisions.
The woman's eyes clouded over as she leaned back in her chair, her voice barely audible. "The truth is, I made a decision that has haunted me for years. I sold him to my friend, and she's been his caregiver ever since. I've often wondered if she's treated him with the love and care he deserves."
My shock was palpable, and I struggled to find the right words. "Sarah, please, just ask him to forgive me," she implored, her eyes brimming with tears. "He respects your opinion, and I know he'll listen to you."
I nodded solemnly, determination etched on my face. "I'll talk to him, and I'll do my best to help you reconcile," I said, trying to offer some comfort.
The woman's face lit up with hope, but her expression quickly turned resolute. "I'm prepared for a long and difficult journey," she said, her voice firm. "I'll do whatever it takes to get my son back, even if it means involving lawyers."
I raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why would lawyers be necessary? He's an adult now, capable of making his own decisions," I pointed out, trying to understand her perspective.
The woman's gaze locked onto mine, her eyes filled with a deep-seated fear. "What if his caregiver doesn't want to let him go? What if she's grown attached to him and refuses to give him up?"
I leaned back in my chair, taken aback by the complexity of the situation. "I'm sure she'll come around with time," I said, trying to offer a glimmer of hope. "But it's clear that this won't be an easy resolution."
The woman's gaze sparkled with intrigue as she leaned forward, her voice taking on a warm, inquisitive tone. "Enough about me," she said with a gentle smile. "Let's shift the focus to you. How did you two first meet?" she asked, her curiosity palpable.
I smiled, feeling a tender warmth spread through my chest as I reflected on our initial encounter. "Well, it's a rather lengthy tale," I said, hesitating for a moment.
The woman's eyes crinkled at the corners as she chuckled. "You can always edit out the unnecessary parts and get straight to the good stuff," she suggested with a playful grin.
I laughed, feeling more at ease. "Alright, alright," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "We met in the library, of all places. He was... Well, let's just say he was incredibly cold and arrogant back then." I went ahead explaining the whole thing to her from beginning to the end.
The woman's eyes widened with interest, and she leaned in closer. "No way! So, he fell head over heels for you after everything that transpired?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
I laughed again, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Honestly, I'm not sure who fell in love first," I admitted with a shrug. "But I knew I had a strong attraction to him, despite his rough exterior. I think it was his face that initially drew me in at first" I said with a smile.
The woman's eyes lit up with amusement, and she leaned back in her chair, a knowing glint in her eye. "I see," she said, her voice tinged with warmth. "It's clear that he still has a profound effect on you."