Chapter 18
“How is the J.T. takeover progressing?” Ethan inquired, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward in his leather chair. He had summoned the former COO of the recently acquired company, which was slated for a complete overhaul starting next month.
“We have already engaged a design firm, and we’ll have the contracts. officially signed by next week,” the man replied, his voice quivering slightly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Ethan’s imposing presence made it difficult to even breathe.
Ethan arched an eyebrow, a glimmer of mild surprise dancing in his piercing gaze. “Already? I was under the impression that the final decision. was scheduled for today,” he said, casually picking up a document from his meticulously organized desk. His fingers traced the title: “Starlight.”
“It’s a new company, but they come highly recommended,” the man hurriedly assured him, eager to regain Ethan’s favor.
Ethan’s l*ps curled into a half-smile, but it held no warmth. “Withdraw the contract. I’ll personally oversee the selection process,” he declared, disdainfully tossing the Starlight folder aside. His business empire was renowned for its architectural designs and exquisite taste, and he was far from impressed with the notion of inexperienced designers handling his
company.
Still at the school, Hazel and her kids were given a thorough tour, leaving Hazel feeling genuinely satisfied with what she had seen. The
atmosphere was warm and inviting, and she believed this was a good. place for her children.
Daisy, her energetic daughter, vanished like a wisp of air the moment she spotted a class of children around her age. She joined them instantly, leaving Hazel and Liam to explore the school on their own.
As Hazel continued the tour with Liam, she couldn’t help but keep an eye out for Daisy. It wasn’t long before she found her, already comfortably seated in a classroom, eager and excited to be there.
Hazel stood by the classroom door, silently watching her daughter with a heartwarming smile. The sight of Daisy so engrossed in the classroom activities melted Hazel’s heart; it was evident that her little girl loved
Chapter 18 school.
The teacher, a friendly-looking woman, approached Hazel, warmly welcoming Daisy into the day’s activities. “Daisy, honey, come,” Hazel called to her daughter who was deeply absorbed in her surroundings.
Daisy broke into a run, her eyes lit with excitement, and joined her mother. “I weally like it here,” she said in her sweet, babyish voice.
Hazel’s smile was gentle and filled with pride as she replied, “We’ll come back, but right now, we have to go somewhere. To the hospital, okay?”
Daisy’s cheerful demeanor took a sudden turn, and she whined, her eyes welling up with tears. “No!” she protested, nearly on the verge of tears. The teacher, empathetic to Daisy’s desire to stay, approached them.
“Hello, ma’am. She really seems to enjoy it here. You should let her stay for the day,” the teacher encouraged, adding, “We have everything she needs, and there are enough stationery supplies to go around.”
Hazel sighed, considering the teacher’s kind offer, but she knew she couldn’t change their plans now. “I know, but we already have arrangements, and we didn’t bring her school things,” she explained to the teacher.
“Well,” the teacher continued gently, “there’s enough stationary to go around, and Daisy seems to be having a wonderful time with her new. friends.”
Daisy chimed in with her own plea, “I don’t wanna go to the hospital. I want school, her eyes filled with tears. She loved the colorful classroom, the friendly children, and the warm atmosphere. It felt like a world away from the hospital, which she detested for its stark white walls and strange smells.

Hazel looked down at her daughter, torn between the need for a hospital check-up and Daisy’s genuine desire to stay at school. Daisy would potentially spend months in the hospital once she met with the doctor, and Hazel decided to let her enjoy her time at school while she could. Crying could worsen Daisy’s condition, and she didn’t want to see her daughter suffer.
Okay, okay, fine, Hazel surrendered, giving in to Daisy’s heartfelt wish. She wiped away Daisy’s tears and managed a small, reassuring smile. Daisy squealed with delight, planting a k*ss on her mom’s cheek before running back to her seat. The teacher returned to her duties with a
Chapter 18
knowing smile, recognizing the bittersweet nature of the moment.
Liam, who had been observing the entire situation, had already made up his mind. “You’ll stay in school; I’ll go by myself,” he declared, standing by the exit door, ready to leave. His expression was one of mild disapproval, as he had a small frown on his little face, making it clear that he wasn’t thrilled about the school.
Hazel addressed her son, trying to explain the situation calmly. “I’ll come with you, my darling,” she said, attempting to convince him to stay. However, Liam had a determined look in his eyes; he was not keen on remaining in school.
“I don’t wanna. We agreed to start school tomorrow,” he reasoned with the wisdom of an old soul trapped in a five-year-old’s b*dy.
Hazel sighed, recognizing the complexities of the situation. She attempted to strike a compromise with her son. “Well, Daisy doesn’t want to go to the hospital today, so we’ll go some other day. Okay?”
Liam, displaying an unusual level of maturity for his age, raised his concerns. “Why did you give in to her? You’re the adult.” He furrowed his brows and crossed his arms, looking more like a tiny professor than a typical five-year-old. Hazel sighed once more.
As she observed Daisy, she saw her daughter seated, holding a coloring book, giggling with another adorable little girl who sported playful ponytails. The cheerful atmosphere and Daisy’s newfound friends seemed to make school an appealing place for her, and Hazel hoped her daughter would cherish these moments before their hospital long stay.
“Now, Liam, you’ll stay here for a few hours, not the entire day. I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Hazel reassured her son, noticing his dejected expression.
Liam’s head drooped sadly, but Hazel had a special way of cheering him up. “We’ll have ice cream afterwards, and I’ll even take you to the park to play, she bribed, spoiling her adorable kids. She couldn’t resist their
cuteness.
“Do you promise you’ll come back?” Liam asked with a hint of skepticism. Hazel nodded sincerely. “Yes.”
Before lunchtime?” he inquired, raising his small pinky as a gesture of
trust.
Chapter 18
“Yes,” she replied, intertwining her pinky with his. “Pinky promise. Mom promises not to leave you at school the whole day.”
Liam, with renewed enthusiasm, strutted into the school, his backpack filled with snacks. Hazel watched her little man enter the classroom
before she turned to leave.
Once settled back into the car, Hazel directed the driver to take her to Cleveland Hospitals, relieved that it wasn’t too far from the school.
Inside the hospital, Hazel clutched Daisy’s medical reports in her hands. as she approached the reception desk. “Hello, does Dr. Gomez still work here?” she inquired of a lady at the front desk.
The lady eyed her with a calm demeanor and asked, “Is there a problem?”
Hazel quickly assured her, “No, no. I need to consult with him about my daughter’s case. I have a note here directed to him, as he was
recommended by our previous doctor.
“Alright, ma’am. But he’s currently performing surgery,” the lady informed her.
Hazel sighed in relief and replied, “Okay, I’ll wait.”
Hours passed as she sat in the waiting area. Finally, a group of surgeons exited an elevator close to where she sat, and Hazel overheard one of the nurses call out “Dr. Gomez.”
She approached him briskly, catching him just as he removed his face. mask and gloves. “Dr. Gomez?” she inquired, though she couldn’t hide her surprise. The man before her appeared much younger than she had expected. The Dr. Gomez she anticipated was supposed to be a professor and former lecturer, but this man couldn’t have been more than thirty years old.
“Yes?” he replied calmly, his eyes curious.
Hazel hesitated momentarily before expressing her surprise. “You’re Dr. Gomez?”
With a hint of humor in his voice, he teased, “You’re not an assassin sent to kill me, are you?”
Hazel chuckled lightly but then grew serious. “Is there a problem?” he asked, picking up on her disappointment.
Chapter 18
“I thought you would be older. Are there two Dr. Gomezes here?” she inquired, seeking clarification.
The young doctor clarified, “That would be my father. He’s retired now. I’m the only Dr. Gomez around.”
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