Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 80

After the anesthesia wore off from her gastroscopy, Bonnie sat groggy on a bench outside, with Shirley by her side. Everything around her felt distant and blurry, like she’d lost half an hour in a blink. She leaned her head back against the wall, eyes drifting shut, still not quite herself. At least she wasn’t wobbling when she walked anymore, so Shirley finally felt okay leaving her alone for a minute.

“I’m going to go talk to your Aunt Susan, then pick up your medicine. Stay here, and don’t go wandering off, okay?” Shirley’s voice was gentle but firm.

Her mom’s old classmate was the head nurse here and had helped them land an appointment with a specialist. It only made sense for Shirley to go say thanks.

Bonnie nodded, forcing a small smile. “Go ahead, Mom. I’m really okay now.”

Shirley gave her a look of relief, then disappeared down the hall. The world around Bonnie faded into quiet, hospital smells thick in the air. She let her eyes close again.

Suddenly, something pressed onto her knees. Bonnie nearly jumped out of her seat, her head spinning as she jerked forward to look. When her vision cleared, she froze.

A little boy was sprawled across her lap, his head tilted, curiosity wide in his eyes as he stared up at her. It was Lawrence and Hannah’s son.

Bonnie just sat there, silent, taking in the familiar eyes and gentle face. He definitely looked more like Hannah than like anyone from the Lane family. Maybe it was true. Sons really do take after their mothers.

She managed a calm voice. “Where are your parents?”

The boy’s gaze flicked around, then jumped back to her. “Pretty lady, I know you.”

Bonnie’s memory kicked in — they’d met before, maybe more than once. She couldn’t believe this three-year-old actually remembered her. “I remember you too,” she replied, quieter, almost cautious.

“You looked at me a lot at the movie theater,” he said. She remembered then, how he’d peeked around Lawrence’s shoulder, those dark eyes skipping over everything but the screen.

All of last night’s tangled feelings — jealousy, resentment, pain — crashed over her at once. She didn’t even think, just shoved Bonnie away, her face set and cold.

Bonnie was caught completely off guard, the world still shaky. She went sprawling backward, landing hard on the marble floor. Pain zapped through her elbow, and for a moment, she couldn’t even move.

A nurse rushed over, but Bonnie only shook her head, trying to catch her breath, letting them know she needed a second to steady herself.

Meanwhile, Hannah dropped to Jasper’s side and started scolding him, swatting his bottom as she spoke. “Why did you just run off like that? Do you even know her? Have I not told you about going with strangers? Why don’t you listen, huh? Where did your daddy and grandma go?”

Jasper’s eyes filled with tears. He wanted to cry but wouldn’t let himself. Jackson bent to pick him up, shooting Hannah a complicated look.

“Why are you taking this out on him?” he asked softly.