Mysterious Little Wife

After getting the money, Lacey rushed back to the hospital to have the charges renewed.

And as soon as she returned to the ward, Maria struggled to sit up. "Lacey."

"Mom." Lacey hurried over and held Maria with a worried look on her face. "What's keeping you awake? Are you hungry? I'll go downstairs and get you something to eat."

"Silly child, you already have someone to bring me food." Maria grabbed Lacey's hand and chided her with a smile. Her eyes, however, were riddled with guilt. "Did your father not insist on your staying?" Lacey shook her head. "He did, but I refused. I wanted to come back and see you."

She had no choice but to lie. Otherwise, her mother would have worried.

Maria seemed to calm down right after Lacey had said that. She then took Lacey's hand in hers and tucked it beneath the covers to keep it warm. When she looked up, she caught a glimpse of Lacey's hair color. "Did you get your hair dyed?"

Her natural hair color was black. It was only to impersonate Lillianna that she had her hair bleached blonde.

"Yeah, I ran into Lillianna when I went to borrow money from dad. It was her treat." Lacey ruffled her hair and asked, "Does it look weird on me? If so, I can dye it back."

"It suits you." Maria nodded. Then, cautiously, she asked, "What did your sister tell you?"

Lacey knew what her mother was trying to ask. She turned to avoid Maria's gaze, then replied, "Lillianna said she was busy and would visit you later when she had time." Maria's eyes grew dim at this point, and she didn't say another word.

She felt lost and hopeless.

Lacey was aware of it but dared not say it explicitly.

Lillianna refused to acknowledge them, something that was clear not only to her but also to her mother.

"Alright, Mom, rest well and don't think about anything else." Lacey took a deep breath and shifted the subject.

Maria eventually said, with a bitter smile on her face, "Lacey, I understand that you want me to live well, but I can't be cured, so stop asking your father for money. He has a family of his own now. We must not disturb him."

"Mom! What are you talking about! You'll be fine!" Lacey got worried. "More importantly, dad said he'd lend us money if we needed it. So don't worry about it. I'll gather as much money as it takes to cure you!" Maria's eyes flushed scarlet, and her grip on Lacey's hand tightened slightly.

Lacey tried to hold back her tears but couldn't. She eventually collapsed on the edge of the bed and whimpered.

There was probably nothing more helpless in life than being unable to protect your loved ones.

With swollen eyes the next day, Lacey went down to the canteen and ordered breakfast for Maria. The two sat in the ward and ate together.

"What a handsome young man! It's the first time I've seen someone so good-looking!" Just then, someone exclaimed.

"Take a look at the girl next to him! She's stunning! What a perfect couple!" Another person chimed in.

Some in the ward watched TV and marveled at how gorgeous the people on the screen were.

The focus of the crowd drew Lacey and Maria in. And as soon as Maria saw the lovely couple clinging to each other on TV, she dropped the spoon in her hand. It was Lillianna.

Lacey was also engrossing on the screen. "Mr. Garrison, are you engaged to Ms. Carter, the daughter of the Carter family?" A flock of reporters rushed up and asked.

The man remained silent. He stood tall and proud with a dignified demeanor.

Next to him was Lillianna, who was feeling a little nervous and apprehensive.

Of a sudden, the man was all smiles as he put his arm around Lillianna's waist and announced, "I, Sam Garrison, will be engaged to Lillianna Carter, the daughter of the Carter family, next Saturday." After the announcement, Lillianna shed tears in Sam's arms while camera flashes flashed all around her.

The following headline then appeared on TV, "GH President, Sam Garrison, personally announces engagement date to the daughter of Carter family!"

"GH? Isn't that the wealthiest corporation in New York? I never thought its president was so good-looking!" As the news ended, so did the last exclamations from the ward.

Lacey's heart skipped a beat as she glanced over at Maria. "Mom?"

"I'm going to take a nap." Maria put down her plate. She then lay down and turned her back, leaving no room for Lacey to comfort her.

Lacey sighed and didn't say another word. She gathered up the cutlery and left the ward.