Chapter 208 The Person I Once Loved
'Jessica is the most important person in my life. Sure, I have Matthew, but it's like he doesn't even know I exist. And does Lauren even count as family?' Quentin thought, frowning in pain.
Lauren kept her promise and waited for Jessica to wake up. Then she brought Matthew to Jessica's room again.
Jessica had George bring some tasty food and fun toys to make Matthew happy.
The three of them had a pleasant lunch together in Jessica's room.
"Matthew, look, Great-Grandma got you lots of snacks and toys. Say thank you," Lauren said, handing him a toy car from Jessica.
With wide eyes, Matthew whispered, "Thank you, Great-Grandma."
Jessica's face lit up with a smile. She said, "Matthew, you're so sweet. You're welcome. As long as you're happy."
Jessica and Matthew quickly got comfortable with each other, chatting and laughing.
After a while, Matthew got tired and fell asleep. Lauren gently placed him on Jessica's bed. Jessica looked at his sleeping face, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Matthew looks just like Quentin when he was little," Jessica noticed and choked up.
Lauren smiled. She remarked, "People say Matthew doesn't look like me. Maybe he takes after Quentin, like you said."
Lauren had matured a lot. She used to avoid talking about Quentin because it hurt too much. Now, she could talk about him openly without hiding her feelings.
Jessica looked at Lauren deeply. She said, "Lauren, I don't have much time left. I have a request, and I hope you'll agree."
Lauren's face turned pale. She replied, "Jessica, don't say that! You'll get better and live a long life!"
Jessica smiled. She requested, "Lauren, please don't lie to yourself for my sake. It's okay. We can't avoid reality. I wish you could bring Matthew to visit me more often. It would brighten my final days and leave me with no regrets."
"Jessica, I promise! But you have to take your medicine and get better," Lauren said, crying. She was scared of losing Jessica. Why let her go when she hadn't had a chance to repay her kindness?
Jessica nodded, satisfied. She agreed, "Okay, I'll take my medicine and try to get better."
Jessica tenderly patted Matthew as she spoke. She admired his good behavior and longed to see him grow up. Despite the world's challenges, there were so many treasures she didn't want to leave behind. She truly didn't want to go just yet!
It wasn't until the afternoon that Lauren and Matthew left the Robinson Estate.
In the taxi, Matthew started talking. He asked, "Mom, is Jessica sick? Why is she always in bed?"
"Yes, she's old and not in her best health. So, let's visit her often to make her happy and help her get better, okay?" Lauren asked, afraid Matthew would refuse.
After all, kids Matthew's age liked to play. If he had to stay in a room with an elderly person, he might not be happy.
"Okay," Matthew agreed without hesitation, surprising Lauren with his quick response.
"Matthew, you're such a good kid!" Lauren praised, then kissed him on the head.
Matthew wiped off the kiss, pretending to be grossed out, but inside, he was happy. 'If we visit often, maybe I'll get to see Quentin again and play with him,' he thought.
Young Matthew had made up his mind. Even though he didn't fully understand why, he felt a strong connection to Quentin, whom he'd only met once. All he wanted was to play without a care in the world.
Lauren had texted Kimberly, saying she and Matthew were out shopping, so Kimberly didn't ask much.
But when Lauren got back to Ethan's villa, she planned to tell Kimberly about Jessica. Jessica wasn't just family; she was an important benefactor. Lauren felt responsible for taking good care of her, fulfilling her final duty.
"What? Jessica's critically ill?" Kimberly remarked and was shocked.
Lauren nodded heavily. She said with concern, "Jessica's health was bad three years ago, and after being shoved and paralyzed, she hasn't left her bed. Mom, I'm worried she'll pass away soon."
"Lauren, don't be sad. Death is inevitable. I'll go with you to visit her in the coming days. She treated you very well those three years, and I haven't properly thanked her," Kimberly said, feeling a bit sad.
Jessica was a good person, but she hadn't received the good treatment she deserved.
Lauren nodded in agreement. She informed, "Okay. I want to take Matthew to spend more time with Jessica in the next few days. I'll talk to Ethan about it when he gets back."
Kimberly hesitated. Her biggest worry was Quentin. She was afraid he might take this opportunity to take Matthew back.
After thinking for a while, she finally voiced her concern, "Lauren, is it safe for you and Matthew to go to the ancestral home? Will Quentin find out we're back and try to take Matthew's custody?"
Lauren understood what Kimberly was getting at. She reassured Kimberly, "Don't worry, Mom. He must know we're back, so hiding Matthew is pointless. We can't avoid visiting Jessica just to avoid him. That would be too heartless."
"I'm just so scared. Quentin is ruthless and feared by everyone. If you meet at the ancestral home, he might take Matthew, and we can't stop him!" Kimberly said, frowning in distress.
Visiting Jessica was important, but Matthew was even more important to Kimberly.
"Mom, he won't do that. Quentin isn't that kind of person," Lauren said.
"Three years have passed. People change and become selfish. You can't guarantee Quentin will keep his promise to leave Matthew with you," Kimberly said worriedly. She couldn't rest easy with even a hint of danger, losing sleep over it.
Kimberly's words hit home for Lauren. People did change, and she had changed too. So, what about Quentin? Could he have changed into someone she no longer recognized?
Lauren shook her head, puzzled by her newfound confidence, yet steadfast in her belief that Quentin would honor his word. Despite uncertainties, she chose to trust the man she had once loved deeply.
