Chapter 19
Valeria quickly went over and helped Lucy sit on the couch, gently patting her back to help her
breathe easier.
Lucy was a bit chubby and had long–standing health problems–asthma and high blood pressure. After a while, she finally caught her breath, grabbing Valeria’s hand and gasping, “I’m… I’m fine…
Selena stood nearby, on the verge of tears. Lucy patted the girl’s cheek. “It’s okay, Selena. I’m fine. I scared you, huh?”
She slowly started to calm down, but she still looked pale as she leaned back against the couch, breathing heavily. Valeria picked up a phone from the table, ready to call an ambulance to get Lucy checked at the hospital.
Lucy was stubborn, and with her son not around, it was even worse.
Her husband had passed away, and she’d been living alone in this place for over ten years.
She always avoided hospitals unless absolutely necessary. The moment Valeria reached for her phone, Lucy waved her off firmly, her face stern.
“I’m not going to the hospital. It’s the same old problem. I’ll be fine after I take my meds.”
“No, you need to go to the hospital,” Valeria insisted, thinking that the situation earlier had been extremely serious.
She hadn’t brought her phone with her and hadn’t gotten back in time. There had only been a six- year–old child with Lucy. It was pure luck that nothing worse happened to Lucy.
However, even if Valeria had her phone with her, what could she have done? If she were at work, it
would take her an hour by subway from L&M Design Studio to get home. Even if she took a cab
and there was traffic, it could take even longer.
Normally, Valeria was cool and mild–mannered and never raised her voice. However, she was
adamant this time.
Lucy was just as stubborn, waving her hand as she insisted, “No, no, I’m not going to the hospital. You’re not even my daughter–in–law. Don’t poke your nose in my business.”
She started shooing Valeria and Selena away. “You two should just head home and rest. I’m fine
Valeria grabbed Lucy’s arm. “I’ll go with you to the hospital. Tomorrow is Sunday. I can stay and help you get a full check–up.”
“What a stubborn woman you are.” Lucy sighed. “You are even worse than I.”
Just then, footsteps came from the door, and a knock followed.
”
Lucy looked over to see a tall, slender, and strikingly handsome young man step inside.
The door had been open, so he walked straight into the living room. He was wearing a gray–blue shirt with a square silver watch on his wrist. One glance, and she could tell he was a refined
Chapter 19
young gentleman from a wealthy family.
Valeria was squatting down, rummaging through a drawer for Lucy’s medicine.
Lucy lived alone, and her meds were scattered everywhere, some even expired.
No matter what, Valeria told herself, she had to get Lucy to the hospital tomorrow.
2/2
Suddenly, she caught a faint whiff of a cold, elegant man’s cologne. It was so subtle and refined, yet oddly out of place in this cramped space.
Valeria thought her nose must be playing tricks on her, but then she felt a gaze land on her back. It wasn’t exactly a stare, but more like a quiet, detached sweep with curiosity.
Then, she heard Selena call out, “Mr. Doctor.”
Valeria’s fingers suddenly clenched around a box of medicine. Her whole body went tense as that gaze lingered on her, calm yet probing.
Sebastian looked at the woman crouched in front of him.
She had her back to him, wearing a gray cotton dress. As she bent down, her long hair fell over one shoulder, exposing her neck to his line of sight. The strands looked like a silky mist, partially hiding her fair face.
Even in a dull, gray outfit, she stood out at first glance.
Lucy hadn’t noticed Valeria’s reaction. She looked at the unfamiliar man who had just entered.”
Who are you? What are you doing in my home?”
“Your granddaughter called me,” Sebastian replied, stepping over to Valeria and crouching down.
next to her. As he bent, he took in the faint, natural scent from her body and saw her visibly
stiffen.
His shadow enveloped her as he reached into the drawer, pulling out the medicine box.
“These medications are either expired, or you are resistant to their effects,” he explained. “You’ve been taking them for so long that they don’t work anymore.”
Valeria hadn’t expected that Selena would call Sebastian. It was even more unexpected that he would actually show up.
Holding Lucy’s arm, Selena spoke up. “Granny Lucy, this is Mr. Doctor. He’s the really skilled doctor I told you about. When my heart didn’t feel good, Mommy took me to see him at the
hospital.”
Lucy looked at Valeria, then at Sebastian.
Judging by their looks alone, they seemed like a perfect match.
