Chapter 312 Trouble
Caleb's heart fluttered. A simple touch of their fingers had stirred a thousand emotions within him. He felt like a young, inexperienced boy, easily swept away by the rush of feelings. She must be toxic, and he was willing to be poisoned.
The air grew thick with tension, and Caleb felt a warmth spreading through him. "Uncle, come play!" Oliver called out.
"Go play with him."
"OK," Caleb replied. As he sipped his tea, a sense of warmth washed over him.
While playing with Oliver, he occasionally looked up at her. He was always so serene, whether reading, knitting, or simply gazing at the snow outside.
She was like a living painting, captivating his gaze. "Uncle, I know my mom is beautiful, but you don't have to stare like that," Oliver teased. Caleb blushed, coughed, and muttered, "I can't help it."
It had been a whirlwind of emotions since he met her, a journey from uncontrollable feelings to deep entanglement.
The next morning, Susan went to discuss Oliver's discharge with the doctor. When she returned, she felt the stares of passersby. Oliver's extended hospital stay had made her a topic of discussion.
"It's her, isn't it?"
"Yeah, she looks like trouble."
"I don't think she looks bad. She's polite and I used to feel sorry for her, raising her son alone, but now..."
"That man has a family, yet he's always around. They both seem nice, but they lack morals."
"And she's a designer. The more cultured, the more shameless."
"I knew they didn't look like a happy family. It turns out it was an affair within the marriage, and they even had a child."
"The child is innocent."
Susan quickened her pace back to the ward, her face turning pale.
On the wall outside the room, someone had written ‘homewrecker’ and other derogatory terms, along with Susan's personal information. Susan knew it was Grace's doing. A group of people gathered, whispering accusations.
"She's a designer, and her parents are professors. How did they raise such a girl?"
"Homewreckers deserve to be shamed." A meddlesome woman approached. "Girl, you're pretty and capable. Why be a homewrecker? You're ruining a family. It's disgraceful."
"Look at the mess you've caused. The whole hospital knows. Aren't you embarrassed? What about your son's reputation? If you do something like this, he'll be ashamed too." Susan initially ignored the woman, intending to return to the ward, but the woman persisted, grabbing Susan with considerable force, causing her pain.
Susan pushed her away. "Don't touch me!"
The woman staggered back, "You... you hit me?
"I was trying to reason with you. Why did you hit me?"
"She's a homewrecker. No wonder she acted shamelessly."
"Unbelievable, she actually hit someone. She must apologize!"
"Yes, apologize!" Several people surrounded Susan, blocking her way. She wasn't afraid of dealing with them, but she was worried about disturbing her son in the ward.
"My son is resting inside. Please leave immediately," Susan commanded.
"What? Are you also concerned about losing face? What about your son when you destroyed someone else's family?"
"He should know what kind of person his mother is."
"Shame on you."
"Yes! She deserves it!" The crowd became more agitated, condemning her. Seeing their hostile faces, Susan couldn't help but sneer, "How much did she pay you?
"How much did she pay you to cause trouble at the hospital?"
A hint of panic flashed in their eyes, but they immediately shouted louder, "We're just disgusted by homewreckers."
"That's right! We're upholding justice and teaching a lesson to this woman who destroys families."
"It's only right to beat up a third party!" The voices of condemnation grew louder. Susan sneered, "Don't think I don't know you're being paid. I can call the police and have you arrested."
"Go ahead, call the police!"
"This kind of woman should be arrested and put in jail." They continued to curse, and a scuffle broke out between them and Susan. Susan was outnumbered and found it difficult to resist.
"Let go of me, all of you..." Susan was pushed around, and they even started pulling at her clothes as if to strip her.
"Get off me!" Susan roared.
"You bad people. Let go of my mommy!" Oliver rushed out and kicked one of the women in the shin.
The woman got angry and cursed, "You dare to kick me, you little brat?"
"You were bullying my Mommy."
"That's because your mom is shameless and she is a homewrecker."
"Don't you know? Your mom seduced someone else's husband."
"Shut up!" Susan pushed the woman away and pulled Oliver back into the ward, locking the door behind them.
"Open the door, you homewrecker!"
"Shameless homewrecker! Why are you hiding? Come out." The woman pounded on the door. Susan's face was filled with anger, her heart burning, and she was even more anxious about how to explain to her son.
"Oliver, I..."
"Mommy, those fat women are mean. Let's ignore them. Let's go and read comics." Oliver took Susan's hand, protecting her. "Mommy, please sit down." After Susan sat down, Oliver climbed onto the sofa. "Mommy, have you asked the doctor? When can I leave the hospital?"
"Next Tuesday."
"What? That means I have to wait another week?" Oliver pouted, "Well, it's quite comfortable here, and the bed is soft.
"Mommy, I want to have McDonald's tonight. Shall we order takeout?
"I also want to have ice cream," Oliver said happily, not mentioning what happened just now.
Susan felt even more upset. Oliver was young but much smarter than her peers, and he must have understood. Since being hospitalized, this little child has endured too much. Susan's nose tingled, and she hugged Oliver. "Oliver, I'm sorry."
"Mommy, I love you."
After a while, the people outside were driven away by the security guards.
Susan's eyes were red, and she hurried to the bathroom to wash her face. She made a phone call to contact a painter to repaint the wall. After hanging up the phone, she placed her mobile phone on the sink, and it suddenly vibrated. The name on it surprised her. For more than a thousand days and nights, she had been waiting for this name to light up, but she didn't dare to hope. Her heart raced as she picked up the phone, but then she suddenly realized something. Her movements slowed, and a hint of fear appeared in her eyes. After hesitating for more than ten seconds, Susan finally answered the call.