She was adamant about keeping her grandniece away from that Lysander. The man was nothing but trouble, a walking headache!


    The more Jade thought about it, the more convinced she became, adding, "Besides, by the time you arrived in Verdelune, you were already single again. What''s the issue?"


    M hesitated, "...No problem."


    "Great, it''s settled then!"


    Without waiting for further protests, Jade hurriedly added, "Alright, I won''t keep you any longer. I have a connecting flight to Verdelune."


    Rosalia Fashion Week had just wrapped up, with Verdelune next on the schedule. The international fashion weeks were packed closely together in the first half of the year. With limited energy these days, Jade entrusted most of them to her apprentices, only attending the most prestigious ones herself, including Verdelune, Mn, Eldermere, and Newcrest.


    Seeing her great-aunt in a rush, M offered a few gentle reminders before ending the call.


    It was around four or five in the afternoon. Soft sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm golden hue on the otherwise stark white hospital room.


    She turned her head to look outside. The sunlight highlighted her delicate features, her slightly upturned almond eyes narrowing slightly in the warm glow, adding an air of mysterious elegance, as if she might transform into a celestial being and disappear into the light at any moment.


    Nathaniel had just picked up their child from school and was pushing the door open when he caught sight of this scene, momentarily stunned.


    No matter how indifferent he felt towards M in the past, he had always had to concede one point: this woman was strikingly beautiful!


    ...


    While Nathaniel was lost in thought, the child had already run inside.


    "Mommy," he called softly, snuggling into M''s embrace without saying a word.


    Instinctively, M held the child, her gazending on Nathaniel standing awkwardly at the door. He scratched his nose, trying to mask his difort as he stepped inside.


    "After school, Julian insisted oning to see you. I thought since you haven''t been discharged yet, maybe..."


    He trailed off, clearly at a loss for words.


    M nced at him nkly, then turned her attention to Julian, her voice gentle, "Julian, what''s wrong?"


    She could sense his low spirits.


    The child shook his head, unwilling to speak.


    M didn''t press further, a slight frown crossing her face as she looked at Nathaniel.


    What''s going on?


    Nathaniel was equally puzzled. Julian had always been a quiet child, not one to express his feelings openly. He had always relied on guesswork when it came to Julian''s moods. Just moments ago, when he picked him up from school, everything seemed fine.


    Thinking it over, he suggested, "How about we grab some dinner?"


    M sighed inwardly, realizing she couldn''t count on this unreliable uncle. She simply held Julian close, waiting for him to calm down.


    Nathaniel watched, feeling like an outsider. After a moment, he quietly left the room to arrange dinner at a nearby hotel.


    There was no need to invite her; he knew M would likely refuse to dine out with


    him. No problem, he could bring the food to the hospital room!


    ...


    Julian nestled quietly in M''s arms for a while before looking up.


    "Mommy."


    His eyes were a bit red, clearly upset about something.


    M lowered her head, her forehead gently touching his, her voice soft and soothing.


    "Do you want to tell me about your day, Julian? Anything interesting happen?"


    "You can tell me anything. I''ll listen carefully, and maybe I can even help. Would you like that?"


    Julian blinked, hisshes damp.


    Trusting his mother, he nestled closer and began to speak softly, "I met a friend I really like today..."