Thinking about how much Lexi had helped, I figured it was only right to meet up. "Of course, Ms. Lively. I owe you one. How abouting over to my ce sometime?"


    Lexi didn''t hesitate. "I''m free this afternoon. Send me the address."


    "This afternoon won''t work. I need to be with my mom," I declined. "How about tomorrow? I''ll text you the detailster."


    "Alright, I''ll wait for your message."


    After hanging up, I returned to the hospital room and saw Alex struggling to peel an apple for Mom. Someone like him had probably never done this kind of thing before. The apple was aplete mess, full of jagged edges and uneven patches. It was truly a disaster.


    I couldn''t help butugh. "Just stop. Let me do it."


    He looked embarrassed and handed me the apple. "I... I was just trying to help."


    "I appreciate the thought," I said while taking the apple and the knife from him. "But why don''t you go buy me a coffee instead? Something sweet."


    Alex looked relieved as if he had just been pardoned and quickly left the room.


    I peeled the apple properly, sliced it into small pieces, and handed them to Mom. "Mom, have some fruit."


    She took the te but shook her head. "Serena, I don''t feel like eating."


    "Just a little bit, okay? You need the vitamins," I coaxed her gently.


    She reluctantly ate two pieces, then stared nkly out the window, lost in her


    thoughts. Seeing her so frail and distant made my heart ache.


    Alex returned with a bag of small cakes along with my coffee. "I thought you might like them, so I picked some up."


    I took a sip of the coffee. The sweetness helped ease my tension a little. "Thanks."


    He sat beside me, looking hesitant. "Serena..."


    "What is it?" I turned to look at him.


    After a moment of hesitation, he finally said, "When your mom asked if you liked her, what did she mean?"


    I forced a smile. "I don''t know either. Maybe her mental state still isn''t great."


    The hospital room fell silent for a while, with only the asional sound of car horns drifting in from outside.


    "Serena..." Mom suddenly spoke up. "I want to go home."


    I quickly reassured her, saying, "Okay, Mom. Once you''re feeling a little better, we''ll go home."


    ...


    The next day, invited Lexi over to my ce as promised. She showed up in a striking red dress and a pair of high heels, confidently stepping through my front door. She scanned the fiving room and smirked. Ms. Ashford, your house is quite spacious."


    I poured her a cup of tea. "You''re exaggerating, Ms. Lively."


    She epted the tea and took a small sip. "Why so formal? Aren''t we friends?"


    I let out a sigh. "Alright then. How exactly would you like me to entertain you?"


    Lexi chuckled, setting her cup down on the coffee table with a crisp clink.


    "For starters, you could introdua


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    me to a few wealthy young bachelors."


    I rolled my eyes. "Can you be serious


    for once? But wait-are you telling es me you''ve never been in a


    rtionship before?" Contenver