With Nic still in his arms, Noah stumbled back a step from Mrs. Scott''s push, able only to watch as the elevator doors closed.


    "What''s with their attitude? Nic is sick, and it''s only right for you, her father, to care for your own child. Getting worked up over every little thing... why is she so dramatic?" Karina grumbled under her breath.


    Noah said nothing, but he turned and gave Karina a look so cold it was piercing.


    When the elevator doors closed, descended, and opened again, the two people inside were strangers.


    Noah stepped inside holding Nic, with Karina still following closely behind them. Noah drove, dropping Karina and Nic off at the White family''s home.


    Nic clung to Noah, asking her daddy to tell her a story and put her to sleep.


    But Noah didn''t indulge her this time. He handed Nic over to Karina and left in a hurry.


    Noah returned to the hospital and went straight to the maternity ward.


    After asking at the nurse''s station, he found out which room Cynthia was in.


    When Noah entered the hospital room, Cynthia was still awake, sitting up in bed and reading a book.


    Mrs. Scott sat by the bed, peeling an apple.


    "Mom, Cynthia," Noah said, walking to the bedside, his eyes fixed on Cynthia.


    She was in a hospital gown, her face pale, and she looked as if she had lost more weight.


    Cynthia nced up at him, then lowered her eyes back to her book, clearly not wanting to speak to him.


    Seeing Noah filled Mrs. Scott with rage, and she tossed the half-peeled apple into the trash can at her feet.


    "Shouldn''t Mr. Thompson be with his precious daughter and ex-wife?


    What are you doing here? Did you


    You


    miscarried yet so you can kee


    upsetting her..."


    Noah stood there and took the barrage of sarcastic remarks from Mrs. Scott without


    a word in his defense, his gaze never leaving Cynthia.


    When Mrs. Scott was more or less done, Cynthia finally put down her book and


    said, "Mom, you can go home. I''ll have Noah stay with me tonight."


    Mrs. Scott stood up, looking exasperated. "You''re just too soft-hearted, that''s why men always take advantage of you."


    After saying that, she shot Noah a fierce re and left the room.


    Once Mrs. Scott was gone, Noah sat down by the bed. He looked at Cynthia, his heart aching. He reached out to hug her, but she moved away.


    "These past few days, I''ve been calling your dad every day. He said you were staying at your parents'' house and that everything was fine," Noah said.


    When Cynthia left alone, Noah couldn''t reach her, so naturally, he contacted her parents.


    He called Mr. Scott, who told him that Cynthia had gone to her family home and was doing well.


    Cynthia was Mr. and Mrs. Scott''s


    only daughter, and they would surely take good care of her. If Noah had known Cynthia was in the hospital, he would have dropped everything toe back immediately


    "I was the one who told Dad not to tell you I was in the hospital. You''re busy with the


    Cynthia said it without emotion, but Noah knew she was speaking out of anger.


    "Nic has been spoiled by the Whites recently, and I''ve already disciplined her. Also, what happened that day was unintentional. Nic had fallen and was crying her eyes out was just trying to cate her and stop her from making a scene. I never meant to hurt you."


    Noah finished and reached for Cynthia''s hand. This time, she didn''t pull away.