Chapter 70
In the afternoon, someone entered Nicole’s suite in the hospital.
Hayden walked toward her, holding Matthew’s hand. Both of them looked cautious as they approached.
She glanced at them, her expression cold as she asked, “What are you guys doing here?”
“Mommy…”
Matthew held a box in his arms and inched closer toward her bed.
“Mommy, this is a gift I made for you. I hope you get well soon.” He blinked unnaturally, wearing a forced, pleasing look as he pushed the gift box toward Nicole.
She looked at the child she had given birth to, but her gaze turned even colder.
It was easy to guess Matthew’s intentions. With just one glance, she could tell that this was exactly like the stew he’d given her before. Hayden must have forced him to do this.
Either Hayden had bribed him with a toy or promised to fulfill a wish of his to make him go to such lengths just to win her over.
Minutes passed, yet Nicole hadn’t taken the gift box.
Hayden stepped closer and helped Matthew place it on her bed.
“Come on, Matt made this himself. You should at least open it and take a look,” Hayden urged.
Her eyes narrowed as they fell on the watch on his wrist. It was the same brand as the one she had bought earlier that day. He had never worn this model before.
“You got a new watch?” she asked casually.
“No.” Hayden’s hand instinctively brushed over the watch face when he saw her looking at it.
“It was Gloria and Aunt Olivia who picked it out for me together. It’s a thank–you gift for looking after her during this time. Does it look good on me?”
He smiled, oblivious. To him, it was normal for friends to give each other gifts. He wore it openly, without
hesitation.
Nicole’s gaze darkened, a trace of mockery flickering in her eyes. Still, her tone remained indifferent. “It suits you well. Not just the watch, but also a certain someone.”
He paused, unsettled by her words. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing much.” Nicole was extremely annoyed at this point, and she didn’t want to waste any more
energy on them.
“Since you’ve given me the gift, both of you can leave.”
Chapter 70
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Hayden pressed down on Matthew’s shoulder and nudged him forward.
“I have an emergency meeting to chair tonight. Aunt Olivia isn’t home either, so no one can look after Matt. Why don’t you let him stay here with you?”
Nicole’s gaze flicked toward Matthew. Her voice was calm as she said, “Why don’t you send him to
Gloria’s instead?”
“I don’t want to.” Matthew’s eyes darted nervously to Hayden before he grabbed Nicole’s thumb, swinging
it back and forth.
“Mommy, could you please let me stay here with you?” he pleaded.
First the stew, then the gift, and now this.
Nicole’s gaze grew cold. Had Matthew lost his mind?
These past few days, he had been swallowing his impatience and coldness just to get closer to her. Was
there some sort of hidden agenda?
She looked at the empty bed beside her. “If you can get used to living in a hospital ward, then sleep there.
If you can’t, then go home. I don’t have time to look after you.”
As Matthew listened to her cold words, he pursed his lips, looking unhappy. Hayden raised his hand and patted his head gently.
“Stay here and listen to Mommy. Don’t make her angry, and don’t run around,” Hayden said.
Matthew nodded obediently.
Hayden then bent down and inched closer to Nicole. Before she could react, a gentle kiss landed on her forehead.
“I’ll be back to see you once I’m done with work.” He carefully tucked her in and turned to leave.
It was such an affectionate scene that anyone watching would have believed there was nothing wrong with their relationship.
Unable to stand being ignored by Nicole, Matthew let out a cold snort.
“Daddy’s not even going to work.”
Nicole turned and looked at Matthew.
“What is he doing, then?”
