Chapter 73

Esme was floored. Thinking back, she realized Alice had never made the first move.

"She likes me, but she's never done anything about it because she thinks I've got this hang-up on someone else," David explained.

Esme frowned and scoffed, "What are you talking about? Don't you know if you've got feelings for someone else?"

The hospital corridor was busy, their conversation blending into the background noise.

"There was someone, but not anymore." David's eyes drifted to the door behind Esme. "That person left a long time ago, leaving me with scars and an empty heart." He tapped his chest and chuckled softly, "It's been waiting for someone to move in for a long, long time."

He hoped that someone would be Alice, who was in the ward.

"David!" Seraphina called out from a distance, spotting him talking to a girl. Her intuition screamed that if she didn't step in, Alice might misunderstand and leave!

David turned, saw his mom hurrying over in her high heels, glanced at the puzzled Esme, and had a few ideas about what was going on.

"You should go in first," David suggested to Esme.

Esme guessed the well-dressed woman, who looked no older than forty, was David's mom. She nodded and pushed the door open to head back into the ward.

Seraphina caught her breath and asked casually, "Who was that girl? Do you know her? Did she ask for your number? Don't be like James, giving out his number to anyone who asks. I won't have you being so casual about these things."

David couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, she's Alice's classmate."

Seraphina was taken aback, feeling a bit awkward. She cleared her throat and changed the subject. "Have you eaten? I made a ton of food today. Let's get inside; we don't want Alice to go hungry."

Alice was indeed starving. Isla, worried that the soup she made wouldn't be to Alice's liking, prepared a small batch for Esme to bring and taste. If Alice liked it, she'd make more. As a result, Alice hadn't had enough to eat.

Alice finished the soup in minutes. She was curious about David and Esme's conversation but couldn't drag her injured leg to eavesdrop.

Seraphina's cooking was top-notch. Worried the hospital food wouldn't suit Alice, she made a ton, so much that there was still plenty left at home.

Seraphina set the food on the small table and smiled at Esme. "Esme, right? Sorry, I didn't make anything specifically for you, but there's so much food here. They can't finish it all, so join us!"

Esme glanced at the table loaded with food and thought, even with her and Seraphina, they couldn't finish it all.

While they ate, Seraphina lifted the blanket and looked at Alice's tightly wrapped foot, feeling a pang of sympathy. She couldn't help but rant, "Clara was such a good kid, but her mom spoiled her! At such a young age, she pulls a stunt like this, and her mom still has the nerve to ask us for help! I'd like to see who dares to help her!" She suddenly looked at David.

Before David could say anything, Seraphina snapped, "If your dad dares to help, I'll divorce him!"

Her frustration was palpable, and she couldn't sit still. Worried they might choke from eating too fast, she went to pour some water.

Finding the bathroom gross, she cleaned it herself and told David to keep it that way. "A clean space boosts your mood, and a good mood helps wounds heal faster—science backs it up," she said.

Esme, worried Seraphina might turn her scolding on her next, quickly grabbed her thermos and bag and made a swift exit. By the time Seraphina came out of the bathroom, Esme was already gone.

"Where's Esme?" Seraphina asked.

David stayed cool. "She's a student, and lunch break's almost over."

Seraphina nodded, understanding. "I'll bring dinner tonight. Alice, have David text me what you want to eat."

Alice waved goodbye to Seraphina, feeling satisfied with a full stomach. She lay down, only to be pulled up by David. He propped up the pillow and had her lean against the headboard.

"Don't lie down right after eating, or you'll get a stomachache," David said, glancing at Alice's slightly bulging belly. "I'll get some digestive medicine."

David felt a twinge of regret. Letting a lively girl like Alice into his heart might just turn his world upside down.

On the third day in the hospital, Juniper brought Celeste into the ward.

Juniper was visiting Alice on behalf of the busy Marcus. If Marcus weren't tied up with the Tudor Family's affairs and keeping up appearances, Juniper wouldn't have set foot in this place reeking of disinfectant!

The mother and daughter looked reluctant, their expressions naturally sour. They carried fruit and saw Alice on the bed, struggling with her homework at the small table.

Hearing the noise, Alice thought David had returned and quickly straightened up, pretending to study intently. It wasn't until the scent of perfume hit her nose that she looked up.

Juniper placed the fruit on the bedside table, glanced at Alice's bandaged ankle, and said flatly, "Your dad's too busy to visit you. But you, causing trouble and dragging the Smith Family into it? Do you know the Bailey Family has business with us? Are you trying to drag us into this mess on purpose?"

Alice didn't respond, just quietly stared at Juniper.

Juniper hated Alice's indifferent attitude the most. She caused trouble, yet they had to clean up the mess. Because Alice was engaged to the Tudor Family, they couldn't do anything about her!

During this time, Juniper had put up with a lot, dealing with Marcus's anger, Celeste's sadness, and even Lucas, who came from the nursing home demanding an explanation for Alice.

"With David backing you, you think you can do whatever you want?" Juniper sneered. "I've ignored your trouble before, but this time you've gone too far. The Smith Family wants to end their partnership with the Bailey Family. Do you know how much that will cost the company?"

She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Can you cover the loss? Your money still comes from Lucas! You might be able to come up with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, but this is a loss of millions!"

Juniper's voice grew sharper. "Your dad is stressed over this, and as his daughter, you don't help him at all!"

Alice found her words amusing and pointed to Celeste, who had been glaring since they walked in. "If I don't help Dad, will she?"