Chapter 199
Chapter 204
Madison
I stood there, watching until the sleek black car disappeared around a corner. Only then did I release the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
The evening air had a crisp bite to it, and I wrapped my coat tighter around myself as I flagged down a taxi. Twenty minutes later, I was walking through the sliding glass doors of Hallmark Hospital, the antiseptic smell hitting me immediately.
The receptionist greeted me with a smile. “Good evening, Ms. Harper. Are you here to see your mother p>
“Yes, thank you.” I signed the visitor log, appreciating the now–familiar routine.
As I headed toward the elevator, I spotted Anthony coming out of a patient’s room, his white coat pristine despite the late hour.
“Ms. Harper,” he called, changing direction to intercept me. “Perfect timing. I was just about to call you p>
My heart skipped. “Is everything okay with my mother p>
“Everything’s excellent, actually.” His smile was reassuring. “We’re planning to discharge her in a few days p>
Relief washed over me. “Really? That’s wonderful news p>
“She’ll need to stay in bed for the next two weeks to ensure proper recovery,” Anthony said, his voice taking on a more professional tone. “After that, she can gradually ease back into her usual activities. I’d recommend giving her another two weeks before she returns to work, just to err on the side of caution and ensure she’s fully recovered p>
I nodded, mentally calculating how this would affect my schedule. “Thank you. For everything p>
He waved off my gratitude. “Just doing my job. Your mother is a fighter.” He paused, studying my face. “You look different today p>
“Different?” I touched my cheek self–consciously. “How so p>
“I don’t know. There’s something…” He tilted his head. “You’re glowing. Must be the good news about your mother. ”
I laughed, perhaps a bit too quickly. “Must be. I should go see her now p>
“Of course. I’ll check in tomorrow during rounds p>
I continued to the elevator, pressing the button with an eager anticipation. Glowing? Was it that obvious that something had changed in my life? I checked my reflection in the polished elevator doors. My cheeks did look a bit flushed, and there was a brightness in my eyes I hadn’t noticed before.
The doors opened, and I made my way down the corridor to my mother’s room. She was sitting up in bed, reading a magazine that looked suspiciously like one of those celebrity gossip rags she pretended not to enjoy.
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Chapter 204
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“Caught you,” I said, stepping into the room. “Reading about which Kardashian is dating which athlete now p>
She quickly closed the magazine. “It was just something the nurse left. I was bored p>
“Uh–huh.” I set my purse down and kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling today? ”
“Better than yesterday, which was better than the day before.” She patted the bed beside her. “Sit. Tell me about your day p>
I settled next to her, the mattress dipping slightly under my weight. “Actually, I have some good news,” I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. “Dr. Williams says you can go home in a few days. Isn’t that wonderful p>
Her face lit up. “Really? Oh, thank goodness. I’m going stir–crazy in here p>
“You’ll still need bed rest for two weeks, and then you can gradually start moving around more. He mentioned another two weeks of rest before you can return to work p>
She waved a hand dismissively. “I’ll be back at work in a week, mark my words p>
“Mom,” I said in my sternest voice, “you’re going to follow the doctor’s orders. I didn’t go through all this trouble to have you end up back in here because you’re too stubborn to rest p>
“All this trouble?” She raised an eyebrow. “What exactly have you been doing, Madison? You look exhausted half the time you visit. Are you working yourself to death to pay for this place p>
I shifted uncomfortably. “No, it’s not like that. I’ve just been busy at work. Actually, I got my own office today. It’s on a different floor, but it’s mine. With a door and everything p>
Her frown softened into a proud smile. “Your own office? Well, look at you, moving up in the world p>
“It’s not that big a deal,” I said, though I couldn’t help smiling back.
“It is a big deal.” She squeezed my hand. “And it explains why you’re looking so… vibrant lately. There’s something different about you p>
“That’s the second time someone’s said that to me today,” I muttered.
“Oh?” Her eyes twinkled with interest. “And who was the first p>
“Just a doctor downstairs,” I said quickly. “So, have the nurses been treating you well p>
She allowed the change of subject, but her knowing smile told me she wasn’t fooled. “The nurses are angels. Especially that young one. He brings me extra pudding cups p>
“Scandalous,” I teased, giving her a playful nudge. “Should I be worried about this budding pudding cup affair p>
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s young enough to be my son.” She paused. “When will you bring a nice young man to meet me p>
I nearly choked. “Mom, please. I’m focused on my career right now p>
“All work and no play makes Madison a dull girl,” she sing–songed. “And you’re definitely not looking dull
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these days. There’s a spark in your eyes I haven’t seen before p>
“It’s just excitement about the promotion,” I insisted.
“Mmm–hmm.” She didn’t look convinced. “And does this promotion have a name? Perhaps one that starts with ‘A‘ and ends with ‘lexander‘? Every time you talk about work, it’s ‘Mr. Knight this‘ and ‘Mr. Knight that.‘ I may be old, but I’m not blind p>
“He’s my boss,” I said firmly. “That’s all p>
“If you say so.” She patted my hand. “Just be careful, sweetheart. Office romances can get complicated p>
“There’s no romance,” I insisted, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “Just work p>
“Your face says otherwise.” She yawned suddenly. “Oh, excuse me. These medications make me so drowsy. ”
“You should rest,” I said, grateful for the excuse to end this line of questioning. “I’ll come back tomorrow p>
“Bring me some real food,” she pleaded. “The hospital food is killing me faster than whatever put me in here p>
I laughed. “I’ll see what I can smuggle in p>
As I gathered my things to leave, she caught my hand again. “Madison p>
“Yes, Mom p>
“I’m proud of you, you know,” she said, her voice soft but filled with emotion. “Whatever you’re doing, just make sure it brings you happiness. That’s all I ever want for you, my darling. Your happiness means the world to
me p>
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know, Mom. Get some rest p>
I kissed her forehead and slipped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.