The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 861

By the time Ferris and I arrived at the hospital, Lucille had been moved from the ICU to a regular ward. Although her condition had stabilized, she was still incredibly weak. Due to her throat injury, she had to rely on a feeding tube for nourishment.

Seeing her sallow, pale complexion, her labored breathing, and her heavy eyelids that she could barely keep open, my vision blurred with tears. When she saw me, a faint smile touched her lips. "Selena."

"Mom," I sobbed, no longer able to suppress the flood of emotions. I rushed over and buried my face against her shoulder, the tears falling freely. The words I had been holding back finally tumbled out. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like that."

Regret consumed me. I hated myself for being so cold and distant with her, for not checking in on her more often. If I had just been there, she might not have gotten hurt. Even though she had survived, the trauma she had endured left me wracked with guilt and heartache.

"Don't cry, Selena," Lucille murmured, her hand resting weakly on my head, gently stroking my hair. "You're pregnant. You can't let yourself get so upset; it's not good for the baby. Be a good girl, stop crying."

Even now, in her state, she was still worrying about my baby and my emotional well-being. That only made me cry harder. My tears soaked into her hospital gown, but I couldn't stop, and I didn't want to.

I had repressed my feelings for far too long. My coldness toward her had been nothing but a defense mechanism to mask my own desperate need for her affection. I had craved a mother's love. Deep down, I had always felt that Lucille loved me, yet I had stubbornly denied it, convincing myself her affection was a facade. Pushing her away time and time again had only tormented me.