I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Under Stella's insistent pestering, Meredith entered the intensive care unit alone. Seeing Bianca, reliant on a ventilator to survive, filled Meredith with an indescribable heaviness. Memories of their first meeting surfaced; during those months at Falconer Holdings, Bianca had always looked out for her. Bianca had even given her a birthday gift, infusing warmth into every interaction just like a caring elder. Whether Meredith made a mistake at work or excelled, Bianca never skimped on praise. Whenever Meredith faced troubles, Bianca was there to offer a caring call.

The thought that the woman lying on the hospital bed might be her mother intensified Meredith's distress. She approached Bianca, gently took her hand, and whispered, "Bianca, it's me, Meredith. I came to see you." Bianca, deep in a coma, showed no response to Meredith's words.

Meredith murmured to herself, "Could you really be my biological mother? You've always been motherly, caring for me. I've often wondered if my own mother would be as kind and warm as you."

The once vibrant and sharp Bianca now seemed much older and thinner, her face pale and devoid of her usual business acumen. Knowing she should not stay long, Meredith was there for another purpose-to collect hair for a paternity test. Without clarity on her familial ties, Meredith would not rashly claim her place as a Chaucer heiress.

"Bianca, I'm sorry, but I need to borrow a few strands of your hair." Carefully and quickly, to avoid causing pain, Meredith plucked a few strands, each with follicles, and sealed them in a clear bag. Bianca remained unresponsive. Outside the intensive care unit, Joy Chaucer and Chloe stood with solemn expressions, not daring to stray from the door. Their vigil was matched by Stella's protective gaze.

Julian, finding humor in Stella's sudden protectiveness, quietly teased, "Why so protective today? Have you finally accepted Meredith as our daughter-in-law?" Stella, slightly embarrassed but pretending annoyance, shot back, "What do you know? Leave me alone."

Stella had yet to reveal Bianca's request to Julian, who laughed off her retorts, joking about preparing a wedding gift lest they keep calling him 'Dad' while she missed out on 'Mom'.

Soon, Meredith emerged from the room. Joy Chaucer immediately asked, "Is my mom awake?" Meredith's cool reply, "Bianca is still in a coma," alleviated Joy's immediate worries about secrets being revealed.

Meredith then spoke to Julian, "I also visited on behalf of Terrence Sterling. Let's go home, Dad, Stella." Despite looking forward to Meredith calling her 'Mom', Stella only heard her name, which left her feeling blocked and frustrated, but she said nothing.

As they left the hospital, Stella invited Meredith, "Since Terry isn't back yet, why don't you stay at Ravenwood with us? It'll be good for you and the baby, and grandma misses you." Internally eager to have Meredith and her unborn child close, but too shy to insist, Stella framed it as concern for the elderly matriarch.

Meredith agreed, sensing that staying at Ravenwood was a safer option. Delighted, Stella planned a hearty dinner to nourish Meredith, and they all headed back to Ravenwood together. On the way, Meredith called Linda, instructing her to come to Ravenwood and collect the hair for the paternity test.