6. Visiting Mother

Hazel picked up the food she had prepared from the table, gently blowing away the warm steam before carefully spooning it. She directed the spoon to her mother’s lips with the tenderness of a child who didn’t want to see her mother in pain. “Eat plenty, Mom,” she said softly, a warm smile etched on her face, even though her heart ached seeing her mother’s condition deteriorate.

Maria slowly accepted the spoonful, her lips trembling slightly before swallowing. Every time Hazel fed her, she felt a mixture of gratitude and guilt. After a few spoonfuls, Maria suddenly looked at her daughter with weary eyes and let out a deep sigh. “Hazel… I’m sorry… for making you go through this,” her voice was faint, almost a whisper, but strong enough to pierce Hazel’s heart.

Hazel paused for a moment, her brows furrowing at her mother’s words. “Oh, Mom,” she murmured, her voice slightly hoarse. She tried to smile, though something was lodged in her chest.

With a still steady hand, she scooped up another spoonful and fed her mother. “This is my duty, isn’t it? Don’t think about strange things. What’s important now is that you finish your meal and then take your medicine.”

Maria looked at the plate on her lap, her eyes misty. She swallowed before speaking again, her voice even fainter, almost like a heart-wrenching murmur. “But it seems you’ve spent a lot of money on me. I’ll repay you when I recover.”

The spoon in Hazel’s hand stopped mid-air. Her chest tightened, as if something was pressing down from within. Slowly, she lowered the spoon and placed the bowl on the table with an almost soundless movement.

Her eyes burned as she looked at her mother, who now bowed her head, seemingly ashamed of being a burden. Hazel clasped Maria’s hand, warming it in her firm grip. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat before speaking, her voice deeper, filled with emotion.

“Mom…” she whispered, her voice trembling. She swallowed hard, then looked into her mother’s eyes intently, as if trying to convey all the emotions that were too difficult to express in words. “That’s enough, Mom. You’ve taken care of me since I was little, raised me with love, and always stood by me in difficult times. Now, it’s my turn to take care of you.”

Maria’s eyes welled up with tears. She squeezed Hazel’s hand tighter, her thin and weak fingers trying to return her daughter’s grasp. “But… I don’t want to make you suffer, Hazel,” she said softly, her voice heavy with burden.

Those words hit Hazel right in the chest. Unconsciously, the tears she had been holding back finally fell. She shook her head firmly, then embraced her mother tightly, as if trying to envelop all her pain with her warmth.

“No, Mom… you’re not a burden to me, let alone making me suffer,” she said, her voice choked. “So please don’t ever say that again, okay? I just want you to keep fighting. I promise… I’ll make you well. You have to get better, okay?”

Maria couldn’t say anything more. She could only let her daughter hold her tightly, feeling Hazel’s heartbeat so strong, as if reminding her that she still had a reason to keep fighting. Slowly, Maria closed her eyes, letting her tears fall silently.

When Hazel finally released her embrace, she gently wiped her mother’s face, removing the traces of tears on her cheeks. Maria looked at her daughter with a small, meaningful smile, as if wanting to convey a million thanks without needing to say a word.

“Thank you, Hazel,” Maria finally said, her voice weak but warm.

Hazel gave a small smile, though her tears hadn’t completely dried. She nodded and reached for a glass of water and the medicine she had prepared. “Now, take your medicine, okay? So you can get well soon.”

Maria looked at the glass for a moment before nodding. She took the medicine from Hazel and swallowed it slowly with the water.

Meanwhile, Hazel watched her mother without blinking. In her heart, there was an unspoken fear—a fear of loss. But she pushed it far away. She had to be strong, for her mother.

And that night, in a simple room without any luxury, there was only a child fighting for her mother and a mother still trying to hold on for her child.

After ensuring her mother had eaten and taken her medicine, Hazel gently pulled the blanket up to cover her, making sure her mother remained comfortable. She leaned in slightly, tucking a few strands of her mother’s hair away from her forehead.

“Rest well, Mom. Get enough sleep so you can recover quickly,” Hazel said softly, almost a whisper.

Maria only gave a faint smile, her weary expression still evident. Hazel looked at her with mixed feelings. Since long ago, her mother had always tried to be strong in front of her, hiding her pain so as not to make her daughter worry. But Hazel knew. She always knew.

As Maria closed her eyes, Hazel remained seated by the bedside, watching her mother’s gentle breaths rise and fall. Her thin fingers clasped her mother’s hand tightly, as if trying to transfer some warmth and strength.

Suddenly, Hazel’s phone, lying on the table, vibrated, breaking the silence of the room. The buzzing sound felt so loud, like a warning she couldn’t ignore.

Hazel turned her head quickly, then glanced at the screen. Theo’s name was displayed clearly. Her heart clenched. Her breath hitched for a moment.

She knew Theo wouldn’t call unless it was important. But still, the call made her feelings even more complicated.

With slow movements, she picked up her phone, took a deep breath, and finally answered the call.

“Yes, what is it?” Hazel asked quickly, her voice barely above a whisper to avoid waking her mother.

“Hazel, come to the office now,” Theo’s deep, firm voice rang out. His tone was as usual—cold and unquestionable. “I can have my assistant watch over your mother, so hurry up and come.”

Hazel fell silent for a moment. Her jaw tightened, her grip on the phone growing firmer.

Her eyes returned to her mother, still asleep, her pale face contrasting with the dark circles under her eyes. Her breathing was steady, but Hazel knew her mother’s condition was far from fine.

Leaving her like this felt unbearable. But Hazel knew she couldn’t refuse Theo’s request.

From the moment she agreed to this marriage, she had accepted all its consequences. She was now Theo’s wife.

And as his wife—even if only on paper—she had to play her role in front of the world. This marriage wasn’t just a promise on a document; it was a game they had to play perfectly. Even if everything was an illusion.

Her hands clenched at her sides, trying to suppress the turmoil raging in her heart. She wanted to say no. She wanted to stay here, beside her mother, watching over the woman who had fought for her since childhood.

But she knew that if she ignored Theo’s call, she would face far greater consequences.

Hazel closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before exhaling slowly. Her voice was quieter but firm when she finally replied. “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”