Chapter 388
Chapter 388
Coleen came up, threw back the blanket covering her daughter, and gently patted on Molly’s face.
Groggy from slumber, Molly blinked her eyes and saw her mother. “Mom?”
“You look after your brother or your brother look after you?” Coleen asked, pointing out the audacity of
her daughter commandeering the hospital bed.
Memories of her dozing off moments ago came back to Molly, and she rubbed her forehead. “I don’t
know why these hospital beds are so magical. I fell asleep as soon as I touched the pillow.”
Half-eaten bagels from breakfast still sat on the table, along with the sandwiches Coleen brought for
lunch.
“You’re coming home with me this afternoon. Let your father take care of your brother.”
Molly felt guilty. If she hadn’t been caught sleeping in her brother’s bed, she might’ve been able to stay
here, but now, she felt her mother’s disapproval like a tangible force.
Chad, on the other hand, wanted his sister by his side, not their father. Even if she slept, he could take
care of her. “Molly doesn’t have much to do at home. Let her stay with me.”
Quickly, Molly chimed in, “Mom, did you hear that? Chad wants me to stay. It was my idea last night,
but today it’s his.”
Coleen turned to her son. “You want her here to worsen your condition?”
Chad chuckled. “Not really. She can give me a good neck massage. She helped me last night, and
eased my neck pain. She’s useful to stay here.”
“You know how to massage?” Coleen asked Molly.
Molly pinched her thumb. “Just a little bit. Nothing to brag about.”
As they ate, Chad mentioned the visit from the Cedillos.
“Why did’t you two tell your father and me? We could come earlier.” Coleen asked.
Molly, less formal than her mother, replied, “Mom, we’re all family. No need for formalities. They came
to visit Chad and also to check on Mia.”
“But Hansen came himself. Your father and I should’ve been there.”
Molly muttered under her breath, “They’re not our in-laws. Who cares about formalities?”
Chad heard her comment and stared at Molly with a small smile.
“What did you say, Molly?” Coleen asked.
“I’m not telling. You’ll hit me if I say.” Molly resumed eating her meal.
Meanwhile, at their home, Mia handed Naomi a bag of donuts she brought, suggesting her to try some.
Naomi was anxious about her son, Leo, who had been missing for days. She barely glanced at the
pastries. “Andre, have you been in touch with Leo recently? I think he’s hanging out somewhere. He
always hangs up quickly when I call.”
“I gave him a task recently. He might be busy or with others, so he can’t talk freely.” Andre answered,
glancing at his wife. Mia bit her lower lip and nodded at her husband. “Go do your work, dear. I’ll talk
with Naomi.”
Andre, not great with handling women, especially ones like Naomi, left the task to his capable wife.
Contented, he caressed Mia’s hair. “I’ll be in the study. Call me if you need anything.”
In the study, Andre dialed his nephew. Soon, Leo picked up.
Leo was currently seated in his car, munching on a sandwich and sipping a drink. He said, “Uncle,
please ask your wife to reassure my mom. She’s been worrying about me. She’s been calling me, but
I’m usually with the police and can’t talk freely. She’s worried that I’m being deceived or kidnapped, likw
all the worst scenarios.”
“Mia’s already with her, but be careful out there too.”
“I will.”
Noticing his nephew eating, Andre asked, “What are you eating?”
“A sandwich and a drink.”
Andre advised, “Buy something decent to eat. Take care of yourself. It’s not worth getting a stomach
issue at your age.”
“Okay.” Leo accepted his uncle’s concern.
After hanging up, Leo was approached by a woman dressed in a skimpy outfit, who was heavily made-
up. She was tall and scantily clad, barely covering her navel as if afraid of covering too much. She
knocked on Leo’s passenger window. He glanced at her but didn’t roll down the window and prepared
to drive off.
Realizing his intent, the woman quickly opened the passenger door and leaned in. “Can I get a ride?”
Leo drove a luxury car, worth millions, a rare sight in West Meadows. The fact that he could afford this
car indicated that he was either rich or noble, and definitely a person to be associated with. She had
just noticed from outside the car that the man on the phone was quite attractive, which made her even
more determined not to let him slip away.
Leo looked cold. “Not on my way.”
“Where are you headed?” She asked in a sweet voice, trying to seduce him. As she attempted to get
in, Leo drove off abruptly. The woman almost fell but quickly caught up.
Leo replied, “Police station.”
Leo, devoid of any affection, looked at her with disgust. “The police are cracking down on prostitution.
Need a free ride?”
Realizing his disdain, the woman closed the car door, embarrassed.
Leo sped off, leaving the woman behind. He glanced at her in the rearview mirror, and found her
distasteful.
Initially planning to eat, Leo felt nauseated and decided to head back to the hotel.
Back at the Cedillo residence, Mia reassured Naomi, advising her to give Leo some space and let him
grow by facing the world. Naomi, left speechless by Mia’s logic, realized she couldn’t always keep her
son close.
Mia, arm in arm with Naomi, returned to the living room. “Naomi, you seem pretty worried about not
seeing Leo for a few days. What are you going to do when he gets married and moves out? You’re not
planning on going to see him every day, are you? That might not sit well with your future daughter-in-
law, you know.” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Naomi replied, “Mia... I’m not that kind of person.”
Mia chuckled. “Of course, I know you’re not. But let’s be real, Naomi. Leo is growing up and he’s more
than capable of making decisions on his own. As parents, we have to gradually let go. I understand
your motherly concern, but we’ll slowly change ourselves, okay?”