My ex-husband's nightmare - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Mason
“You want a chocolate bar?” I asked, and he shook his head. “It's for my sister. She is sick.” He said, a sad look crept into his face as he said this.
I looked around him; he was alone; it's not right to have a little boy his age walk around in the hospital, so I asked, “Are you alone? Where's your mom?”
“She's around somewhere,” he said this time, his eyes darted from side to side.
“I can get your sister chocolate if you want,” I offered, but he refused.
“Mom said never to accept things from strangers.” I smiled. He wasn't just any dumb kid, although it hurt that I was the stranger in this case.
“You should have gone out with your mom; it's wrong for a little child to walk alone. I'll take you to your mom.” I said.
He shook his head. “I'm not a little child; I can find my way,” he turned about to walk away but then paused. He slowly turned to me, his lips pressed into a thin line, his hand on his jaw.
“You look like her," he said.
“Who?”
“My sister. Maybe some other time, I'll introduce you to her if we meet.” He said and then ran off before I could say another word.
“Wait, your pa-” I was about to say, but the nurse behind the desk cut me short with her words.
“Sir, there's no patient by that name here.”
I returned my attention to the nurse. “What?”
“No one named Daniel Maxwell was admitted here today.” That's not possible, Daniel has told me he was here.
I pulled out my phone and called him. Taking off my blazer, I held it with one hand.
“Man, where are you?” I asked immediately after the call connected.
Lydia’s point of view
I walked down the hallway; my eyes moved around. Mom had gone through the opposite hallway.
She said she didn't see him when I left and thought he went with me.
“Did you see a young boy? He is this tall.” I gestured his height with my hand. “He has blonde hair and-” the lady shook her head.
She seemed to be in a hurry to get away from me.
I passed my hand over my hair. I have been searching for the past ten minutes. I didn't want to get the security of the hospital involved in the search. It was too early, it could probably be that he was walking around.
But I wasn't too sure anymore.
“Did you see a boy this young?’ I asked the nearest person who was about to walk past me.
“No.” “He is this tall,” I said.
My heart was ramming crazily against my chest. “No, ma'am. But I think you should report this to the security team. They'll help you find him,”
She paused, placing one hand on my shoulder as my legs grew weak.
“I can lead you there,” She said.
I nodded. I placed my hand on my chest; tears began to gather in my eyes. I can't lose my son.
It was already torture to have to watch my daughter in the hospital bed.
“The hospital is a big place. The security men will find him at once. And there are cameras, too.” The nurse went on and on about what could be done to find him
No doubt, in a bid to comfort me. I was grateful.
I kept a watchful eye as we walked. Looking for a sign of Liam.
We were about to walk into the hallway leading to the security department when my phone rang.
It was Mom.
I accepted the call immediately, stopping on my track.
“Lydia, Liam is fine. He's with me.” I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I placed one hand on my chest
“Don't let him out of your sight; I'm coming over right now,” I said.
“They found him?” The nurse asked, and I nodded.
“Thanks for your help.”
She nodded, and I read her name tag, ‘Magret.’
“Try to take in slow breaths and calm yourself.” She said, and I smiled before stroking off.
I walked as fast as my legs could carry me.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Liam was on the couch with Mom. Beside them was Mia.
“Liam!” I called out as I entered, closing the door behind me.
“Where did you go?” I asked as I walked in; he stood. I pulled him into a hug, raising him to myself. My hand moved over his hair and face.
“I'm sorry, Mom,” he said. I could tell his eyes must be red from unshed tears because of the way his voice broke.
“It's fine. It's fine.” I said, rubbing his back.
We pulled away, and I placed him on the floor. He held my finger with his hand.
“Where did you go?” I questioned.
“I went out to get chocolate for Melanie. I wanted to give it to her when she woke up. I didn't know you were all searching for me.”
He said. We walked to the couch. Mom adjusted to create space for us.
“Mia found him at the entrance of the hospital.”
“You didn't have to. Why didn't you tell grandma?” I questioned, my tone sharper than I intended to.
He pouted his lips, tears sliding down his face, which I wiped. I pulled his head to my chest.
I shouldn't have yelled.
“I'm so sorry mom. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left. I made you worry.” His voice cracked as he spoke.
“It's fine. It's fine. I'm sorry for raising my voice.” What matters is that he is here now.
“I knew grandma wouldn't allow me to go get the chocolate, so I snuck out.” He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and turned to Mom, “I'm sorry, granny. I should have told you.”
Mom smiled, wiping his face with her handkerchief.
“My sweet boy. It's fine.”
“Thank you, Mia,” I said.
Mia shook her head.
A worried look clouded her eyes as her gaze shifted to Melanie. I followed her gaze.
“She'll be fine.” She whispered. “She is a strong girl.”
I nodded.
“I bought chocolate for her.” My words were directed to Liam, who just nodded.
I told Mia about the woman I saw and that I intended to help her.
“How about Gallery PH directors? Did you tell them I won't be able to meet with them today as planned?” I asked.
She nodded.
“The meeting was rescheduled.” She paused, “Your schedule has been cleared. She moved to where her back was. “But there are a few documents where your signature is required so they can be sent out.” I accepted the iPad from her.
I went through the documents and signed them.
When I was done, I returned the iPad to her and she went out to take care of the woman's bills.
I sat on the stool next to Melanie.
Holding her hands, I brought them close to my face, showering kisses on them.
I sat there in that position for fifteen minutes.
When her eyes fluttered open, I leapt from my seat; Melanie, Melanie, can you hear me?” I asked.
“I'll go get the doctor,” Mom said.
Tears rolled off my eyes. Unlike before, this came with relief.
“Thank you. Thank you for fighting.” Her gaze was weak.
She didn't say a word and just blinked. Liam was by my side and he was smiling.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, and she nodded slowly.
The doctor walked through the door with two nurses trailing behind her.
I stepped aside for him to check her.
Before he left, he said she was fine, but they'd need to watch her for the night.
“Mom, don't cry,” Melanie said, her voice was low and weak. I wiped my tears, “how do you feel?” I asked.
“Better.” She tried to smile.
“Melanie, Mom bought chocolate bars. You can have as many as you want. If you don't want them, I'll have them.”
Liam said, but I knew he was trying to get her to be all giddy.
“You can have them,” Melanie said, her eyes flicking towards me.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, and she nodded.
I stood pushing my chair back. “I'll get you something to eat.” She agreed to eat macaroni and cheese.
I walked out of the room and down the hallway. I was about to take a turn when I saw him. Mason. What was he doing here?
I carefully avoided him, not wanting him to be aware that I was there, especially because of the kids.
After getting the food, I held the flask and opened it. The smell of the food hit my nose. I couldn't remember if I bought cheese. I had so much thought running in my head.
Noticing the cheese, I took a turn while trying to cover it, but suddenly I bumped into something hard, the content in the flask emptying on his chest.